Guyana & China’s Shandong province pushing more trade, cultural ties

By Vishani Ragobeer in Shandong

vishani@newsroom.gy

The Shandong province in China has been undergoing rapid development, evidenced by its substantial economic growth. As Guyana undergoes its own rapid transformation, the province and the South American nation are looking at ways to learn from each other and foster further, mutual growth.

“We are good partners through business.

“We have lots of business ties established whether in infrastructure or the petroleum industry,” the Director of American and Oceanian Affairs in Shandong’s Foreign Affairs Office, Zhang Peng told the News Room this week in Jinan, Shandong.

Sinotruk and Lovol, the producers of heavy duty equipment like trucks and tractors, are among the companies in Shandong that have already penetrated the Guyanese market. At least one Shandong company is involved in a large construction project locally.

So engagements between Guyana and this province aren’t new but they seem to be increasing.

Last year, a delegation from Shandong visited Guyana. Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud and the Deputy Director- General of the Foreign Affairs Office of Shandong’s Provincial People’s Government, Baiwei Chen engaged each other in Georgetown.

It was reported that both sides expressed an interest in deepening trade and cultural ties.

Mr. Zhang pointed out that both Shandong and Guyana have economies that are rapidly expanding. At the end of 2023, Shandong’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) amounted to US$1.3 million. This was the third-highest GDP in all of China last year. For its part, Guyana has been recording double-digit growth over the past several years largely on account of its nascent oil and gas sector.

Substantial economic growth on both sides, Mr. Zhang reasoned, presents a ripe opportunity for deeper cooperation.

Business aside, Mr. Zhang believes friendly relations, including through exchanges, can be supported by both sides. According to him, the province home to about 100 million people sees value in a deeper friendship with Guyanese.

He affirmed, “We are also brothers. We understand each other (and) we have a bright future.”

Growing Guyana and Shandong relations are part of the province’s wider focus on the Caribbean.

A China- Caribbean Development Centre is located in Jinan, the capital city of Shandong. That centre is meant to showcase products from both sides and the opportunities that exist for collaboration.

Agriculture is a key focus here and this is also significant for Guyana as the country has the lead responsibility for food security and nutrition in the Caribbean Community’s (CARICOM) quasi-cabinet.