Guyana will be exploring the prospect of exporting other goods to Venezuela during the visit of that country’s President Nicholas Maduro later this month, according to Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett.
Under the PetroCaribe oil deal, Guyana is supplying large amounts of rice to Venezuela
which offsets the monies owing to Caracas for the supply of oil.
According to the Government Information Agency, Rodrigues-Birkett said that while the rice agreement is working well, the Government would be exploring the possibility of exporting other local products.
Rodrigues-Birkett said that, “Venezuela has been a very good friend to Guyana and this visit will strengthen those relations.” GINA said yesterday that among some of the bilateral issues that will be discussed are Guyana’s associate membership with MERCOSUR.
Discussions are also expected to be held on the PetroCaribe deal.
The Foreign Affairs Minister said that despite media reports, Venezuela has given no sign thus far, of any changes with regards to PetroCaribe.
It has been said in regional media reports that the rate of interest for oil payments under the deal will rise.
Rodrigues-Birkett said that this is an appropriate time for Guyana and other members of PetroCaribe to review and take stock of what has been happening, GINA reported.
“Guyana has been adhering to the PetroCaribe arrangement, more than many others I think… we have been supplying rice and we have been receiving oil, so in a way we have been repaying our debts,” Minister Rodrigues-Birkett said.
