Food security, trade main focus as Belizean PM to visit Guyana this week

By Vishani Ragobeer

Vishani@newsroom.gy

Prime Minister of Belize John Briceño is slated to visit Guyana later this week as the two countries are slated to sign a crucial Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) expected to advance bilateral cooperation on food security, trade and other areas.

The Belizean Head of State met with Guyanese President Dr. Irfaan Ali on Sunday, ahead of the opening ceremony of the 43rd Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM.

After that meeting, President Ali told the News Room that Prime Minister Briceño will be visiting Guyana later this week.

An exact date has not been finalised but Dr. Ali said that the two countries are working towards the creation of a new MoU. That agreement is expected to cover several topics important to both countries, including food security, trade, transfer of technology, education and cooperation on climate change.

“We are hopeful that the MoU can be completed during the course of this week,” President Ali told the News Room in Suriname.

Sunday’s bilateral talks with Prime Minister Briceño were among several engagements the Guyanese Head of State participated in. And President Ali explained that the CARICOM meeting presents the opportunity for Guyana to engage different stakeholders on various matters.

“The way Guyana is positioned now, there is a lot of varied interest (ranging from) food security, climate change, oil and gas and diversification.”