Representatives of the Chinese National Fisheries Corporation (CNFC) on Thursday met Prime Minister Sam Hinds to discuss the possibilities of partnership between the two countries’ fisheries sector.
According to the Government Information Agency (GINA), the team, led by Chinese Ambassador Zhang Jungao, included Vice President of the Corporation Qian Jingjie and other representatives. The corporation is a trans-national enterprise, which specialises in processing of sale of sea products. It also focuses on labour services, export and product trade.
According to GINA, the company’s Vice President in an invited comment said the visit was conducted with the intention of expanding operations in Guyana as had been done in other areas.
She said talks with PM Hinds and the Guyana government are in the initial phase and would require more preparatory engagements before any commitment and consensus can be reached.
The release said the company is a leading one in production, trade, management, technology and sales and is the largest international fisheries among all Chinese counterparts. “Its transshipment operations covers the Atlantic, Indian Pacific and Antarctic Oceans giving them market recognition in Europe, Africa, Japan and the United States of America and branches in ten countries have been established.”
It said too that the company is now seeking to build its reputation by working through joint ventures to strengthen trade relations worldwide.
The existing relations between Guyana and China have led to notable developments in the agriculture sector. These were highlighted through the signing of a contract in 2004 for a US$170 million investment in the Skeldon Sugar Modernisation Project (SSMP).
Additionally, under an agreement between the governments of Guyana and China, a tropical greenhouse farm was re-established at Land of Canaan, East Bank Demerara, which is facilitating the cultivation of several varieties of crops that are available on the local market including radish, chili peppers, spinach and Chinese cucumber.
The greenhouse farm is a modern initiative to cultivate any type of crop on a year-round basis and it enables farmers to earn more and expand their activities, GINA said.
