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Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill

“Today we can happily say that Guyana has its first helideck inspector after the last inspection …The civil aviation forms an integral part of that development and we are now on the verge of becoming a very big oil-producing nation. In moving forward with that, the elements to support our oil production has got to be put in place,” he stated.

The oil and gas industry both offshore and onshore is dependent on the service of helicopters in its operations for a number of applications including crew changes and fire and rescue operations.

To this end, Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill emphasised the fact that the inspection was carried out by a Guyanese inspector is a testament to the capacity that the country has developed.

“There is a pride that Guyana can do things and Guyana is going places. When we had to get a helideck inspection a few years ago we had to engage a foreign partner, Ghana, to be exact to do that work for us.  We didn’t have to go that same route again of having a foreign partner to do that inspection, we now have the capacity in the country…And that is very important,” the minister said.

He reiterated the government’s commitment to upskilling the country’s human resources as greater emphasis will be placed to ensure junior members are mentored.

Meanwhile, Adrian Bassier paid tribute to Guyana and Ghana for his achievement.

“I am honoured but I am also humbled, I see this not as just a personal achievement but it is an achievement for Guyana for the regulator of the aviation industry in Guyana too and it is a special day and I share this with not only my DG [director general] and my colleagues but also the other people in Ghana, the inspector there that made available their expertise to assist me,” he said. Minister Edghill said the government is making significant strides in the oil and gas sector, and there is no doubt that Guyana will continue to advance in the years to come. (DPI)

removal of the visa requirement for Guyanese travelling to the UK and the return of British Airways to the Guyana/UK route.

But even with these massive wins for the advancement of the diplomatic and business relations between the two countries, Guyana wants the UK to know that it respects the economic relationship beyond air transport and oil and gas.

So says Prime Minister, Mark Phillips as he joined British High Commissioner, Jane Miller and visiting UK Minister, David Rutley at the High Commissioner’s residence Tuesday night for a reception in honour of BritCham-Guyana.

PM Phillips said while the Chamber offers an advantage to expand trade and tourism, Guyana also wants support for its ambitions of becoming a regional hub for food and energy security and environmental services.

“We want to see increased cooperation in these areas… a qualitative shift in our economic relations,” the Prime Minister reasoned.

He particularly referenced the partnership agreement signed last November between Guyana and the UK and said he would like to see action to implement the pact intended to deliver innovation, technology and knowledge for greener growth in Guyana.

The formal creation of BritCham Guyana was announced back in February on the sidelines of the 2023 International Energy Conference and Expo at the Marriott Hotel, Georgetown.

British and Guyanese companies are encouraged to contact BritCham Guyana to sign up as members to enjoy the full benefits of its support in exploring and accessing each market.

Alongside the promotion and facilitation of bilateral trade and commerce, BritCham Guyana will foster an open networking environment where companies can engage and discuss issues impacting their businesses and UK-Guyana trade, including events such as member meetings, business breakfasts and seminars.

The independent, non-profit chamber will serve as a leading promoter and enabler of trade and investment between the UK and Guyana, one of the world’s fastest-growing economies. BritCham Guyana will also work closely with the British High Commission in Georgetown and UK government departments to support their advocacy work in Guyana.

Faizal Khan, Chief Executive of GK+B (Photo: Keno George/February 16. 2022)

High Commissioner Miller said she is convinced that even with other well-established and competing business representative bodies, there is space for BritCham-Guyana to succeed – a sentiment supported by the United Kingdom Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State David Rutley.

“It was needed,” he said while pointing out that the Chamber has already begun its work with some 30 businesses already onboard.

The new organisation will be chaired by Guysons Group Chief Executive Officer and UK/Guyanese citizen, Faizal Khan, supported by a board of leading business executives with close ties to both countries, with an office at Pegasus Suites and Corporate Centre in Georgetown.

Khan spoke at the reception Tuesday night and said it is a clear win.

“It’s a win for Guyana and a win for the diaspora, a win for Guyana and a win for Great Britain.”

He is confident that the business relationship between the two countries will continue to grow and said BritCham will be there to support it, promoting steady trade, investment and commerce.

Guyana is the UK’s largest trade partner in the Caribbean. In 2021, the country accounted for 21.6% of all the UK’s trade with the Caribbean and, to date, there has been a 45.9% increase in trade between the two nations for 2022.

The move to establish the new business chamber comes on the heels of the announcement of visa-free travel to the UK, a direct British Airways flight and the signing of a partnership arrangement by Guyana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Hugh Todd and His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for Latin America and the Caribbean, Jonathan Knott, CMG in November 2022.