Steps are to be taken to enable Guyana’s agricultural produce to enter Brazil following a meeting on Saturday in Boa Vista between Agriculture Minister Noel Holder and an advisor to the Governor of Roraima
GINA said that Holder while engaged in talks with the former Governor and current Special Advisor to the Governor of Roraima, Neudo Ribeiro Campos expressed Guyana’s support for any efforts aimed at fostering closer cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
Several issues relative to cross border trade, the road from Lethem to Linden, a deep water harbour and closer cooperation in the sharing of skills and expertise were also discussed. GINA said that Campos promised action that would allow Guyana’s agriculture produce into Brazil. Agriculture produce from Guyana is currently blocked due to fears that the Carambola fruit fly may be present here. Through the assistance of the Inter-American Institute for Co-operation on Agriculture (IICA), Guyana was able to develop an information sharing system that allows easy reporting on the Carambola Fruit Fly. In its 2011 report, IICA noted that technical officers from Guyana’s Ministry of Agriculture undertook eight field trips along the Guyana-Brazil borders.
GINA said that Campos extended an invitation for a technical team from Guyana to meet with its counterparts in Brazil within two weeks to iron out issues of cross border trade.
“Trade with Guyana remains an important part of our Government’s agenda and we will work to ensure that all avenues be sorted (out) and our relationship progress even further,” he
