President Irfaan Ali yesterday hosted a luncheon for the visiting United States Congressional House Committee on Ways and Means at State House yesterday whose members have affirmed the pledges from Washington for the continued support in the modernisation of Guyana’s energy and physical infrastructure.
On his Facebook page, the Head of State also stated that he spoke about “the importance of democracy, enhancing trade and ways of strengthening the overall relationship between the two countries.”
“President Ali informed the congressional delegation of developments in Guyana and reiterated his Government’s commitment to a strong partnership with the United States in several areas including, energy, food security, climate change and national security. Dr Ali pointed to the shared principles of promoting democracy, the rule of law and respect for international law,” Ali’s page pointed out.
According to Ali, Congressman Smith commended his leadership and Guyana for the leadership shown in a number of areas in the region while pledging “continued US support and cooperation in several areas including support for the modernisation of the country’s energy and physical infrastructure.”
Prime Minister Mark Phillips; Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo; Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd; Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai; Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill; and other Cabinet members were also at the event.
Separately, the US embassy also highlighted that the delegation met with the President and other government officials and had discussed, among issues, cooperation and foreign policy challenges in both countries.
“The United States values its partnership with Guyana. Today, a bipartisan congressional delegation led by U.S. Representative Jason Smith met with His Excellency President Dr. Irfaan Ali, the Honorable Prime Minster, Brigadier General (Ret.) Mark Anthony Phillips, the Honorable Vice-President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo and key government officials. The delegation discussed the importance of cooperation on the significant domestic and foreign policy challenges in the United States and Guyana,” the Embassy stated.
The embassy also explained that the Committee on Ways and Means is the oldest committee in the United States Congress and is the chief tax-writing committee in the House of Representatives.
The delegation was led by the Chair of the committee, Congressman Jason Smith, while other members included Rep Terri Sewell (D-AL), Rep Beth Van Duyne (R-TX), Rep Carol Miller (R-WV), Rep Michelle Fischbach (R-GA), Rep Mike Carey (R-OH) and Rep Kelly Armstrong (R-ND), among others. United States Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch accompanied the delegation.
The visiting United States congressional delegation also met members of the Opposition at the US Embassy, Duke Street. Representing the Opposition were its leader, Aubrey Norton; Vice Chairman of the PNCR and Parliamentarian, Vinceroy Jordan; Opposition Chief Whip, Christopher Jones; and parliamentarians Amanza Walton-Desir and David Patterson.
At the meeting, issues that the APNU+AFC believes are affecting the proper functioning of parliament were underscored and the lack of inclusiveness was highlighted, sources say.
“We discussed a number of areas including the importance of inclusionary governance and bipartisan input in policy making. Of course, we shared our concern about the increase in crime and the negative effect it could have on the business environment,” a source told the Stabroek News following the meeting.
“It was an excellent meeting and they left with a clear understanding of the issues affecting the parliamentary opposition; the issues affecting proper functioning of the national assembly and the lack of inclusive equitable growth and development,” a source said.
On the embassy’s website it stated that, “Members of the congressional delegation led by Chairman Jason Smith met with Opposition Parliamentarians to discuss shared values of inclusion and bipartisan cooperation in policy formulation.” United States Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch was also present at the meeting.
Already, the US$759 million, 300 MW combined-cycle power plant and a natural gas liquids (NGL) facility at Wales, West Bank Demerara (WCD), is being executed by US companies CH4/Lindsayca.
A number of US private sector companies have also expressed interest in doing business with Guyana.
The US delegation leaves today.
