GUYANA-Canada, Guyana explore closer economic cooperation.

OTTAWA, CMC – Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Guyana’s President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali have discussed opportunities to deepen trade and investment ties between the two countries, the Canadian Government said Thursday.

The leaders held brief talks on Wednesday and explored areas for increased cooperation, including a memorandum of understanding involving the Canada-based Canadian Commercial Corporation.

In a statement, the Canadian Government said Carney also commended Ali’s leadership on environmental protection and biodiversity conservation.

The two leaders agreed to remain in close contact ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), scheduled to take place in Antigua and Barbuda next month, the statement said.

Canada said its relationship with Guyana was built on more than 50 years of people-to-people ties, trade, development cooperation and security partnerships.

It said Canada opened its High Commission in Georgetown in March 1964 and established full diplomatic relations with Guyana following the country’s independence in May 1966.

The Canadian Government also pointed to the Guyanese diaspora in Canada, saying close to 100,000 Canadian-Guyanese citizens live there. In contrast, hundreds of Guyanese students choose to study in Canada each year.

Canada said it continued to support capacity-building in Guyana, including by having Canadian experts assist various institutions.

Guyana is among Canada’s largest merchandise trading partners within the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), according to the statement.

Canada also provides international assistance to support Guyana’s climate resilience, economic growth and inclusive governance, with gender equality identified as a priority under its Feminist International Assistance Policy.

The two countries also cooperate on security. Guyana participates in Canada’s Military Cooperation Training Program. At the same time, Canada has previously assisted the Guyana Police Force and the Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit in strengthening their capacity to investigate narcotics offenses and serious crime.