Canadian High Commissioner pays courtesy call on GCCI
On October 15, Canada’s High Commissioner to Guyana, His Excellency, Sebastien Sigouin, who officially commenced his duty in-country in September, paid a courtesy call on the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI).
H.E. Sigouin met with President of the GCCI, Mr. Kester Hutson; Senior Vice President, Mrs. Kathy Smith; Councillor and Junior Vice President, Mr. Gavin Ramsoondar; Councillor and Secretary, Mrs. Melisa McRae-George; Councillor and Executive Member, Mr. Richard Rambarran; Councillor and Executive Member, Mr. Timothy Tucker, and Councillor and Treasurer, Mr. Brian Edwards.
The High Commissioner was provided with an overview of the Chamber’s history and function, as well as its achievements over the years. Executive Member, Mr. Rambarran in the discourse extended the GCCI’s gratitude to the government of Canada for its continued support for Guyana’s development, particularly in the preservation of democracy, order, and the rule of law in Guyana.
The GCCI team highlighted the Chamber’s longstanding relationship both with the former High Commissioners as well as Canadian businesses, pointing to a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that was signed with the Newfoundland & Labrador Oil and Gas Industries Association (NOIA) as part of a mutual effort to promote the development of projects and trade in sectors of common interest related to the oil and gas industry. In fact, the Chamber noted that this agreement was the impetus of local content efforts in Guyana.
While speaking to the desire to see increased trade relations between Guyana and Canada, the GCCI’s officials advocated for VISA-free travel to Canada for Guyanese, while also speaking to the need for an easier VISA application process in the interim. The Chamber also provided an overview of investment opportunities in the country for Canadian businesses and broached partnering to promote Guyana as an investment destination. The talks also touched on raising awareness among Guyanese about the educational opportunities available in Canada and how those can be utilised to build Guyana’s workforce.
