Duprey wants to resume ties with Guyana, wants to repay US$40m debt

The Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan last Thursday held a meeting with Lawrence Duprey, Chairman of C.L. Financial and other officials of that company.

During the meeting,a release from the Ministry of Finance today said, Duprey indicated to Jordan that he would like to renew his relationship with Guyana as well as publicly apologise to its people for the collapse of CLICO Guyana. He also said that CL Financial will try to make amends for the approximately US$40M debt owed mainly to the National Insurance Scheme.

Duprey, the majority shareholder of CL Financial also informed Jordan that his company is interested in investing in several areas here including providing solar energy at competitive prices, affordable housing, clay brick and solar for housing as well as introduce a financial model that will generate savings and lower poverty, the release said.

Jordan in response, the release said, informed Duprey that he will apprise Cabinet of their discussions. He also advised Duprey that future engagements could be conducted on parallel tracks: discussion on recovering monies owed by CL Financial and investment in Guyana.

Both the Minister of Finance and Duprey and his team agreed to a follow up meeting. Meanwhile, the Governor of the Bank of Guyana, Dr. Gobind Ganga will be consulted to determine the status of all outstanding matters relevant to CLICO Guyana, the release said.