Finance Minister welcomes and engages in bilateral talks with visiting UK Foreign Secretary

As Guyana and the United Kingdom’s partnership continues to evolve and strengthen, Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh today welcomed and engaged in productive bilateral discussions with visiting UK Foreign Secretary, the Rt. Hon. Ed Miliband. The meeting focused on advancing strategic cooperation and deepening the longstanding partnership between Guyana and the UK. Prior to the discussions, the minister conducted a site visit of the new Terminal 2 currently under construction at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA). During the engagements the finance minister was joined by Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Hugh Todd and Minister of Public Utilities and Aviation, Deodat Indar. Meanwhile. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of CJIA, Ramesh Ghir accompanied Ministers Singh and Indar on the tour of the terminal while the UK Foreign Secretary was accompanied by Amy Barklam, His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for Latin America and the Caribbean, UKEF (UK Export Finance) CEO Tim Reid, British High Commissioner to Guyana Joseph Fisher and others.

The construction of Terminal 2, supported by UKEF and being undertaken by United Kingdom (UK) firm Mowlem International (UK) Limited (formerly BHM Construction International (UK Limited), exemplifies the strong commercial relationship between Guyana and UK. When completed, the new and upgraded Terminal facilities would further enhance Guyana’s tourism, trade and investment landscape.

Related coverageKing Charles III Begins Two-Day State Visit to Guyana Thursday22 reports

The US$65.5 million project will alleviate arrival congestion for passenger processing, separate arriving and departing passengers, reduce departure congestion and provide additional space for duty-free shops, restaurants and other services and amenities.