Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 01-02-2023

Guyana welcomes new Cuban, Mexican ambassadors

PRESIDENT, Dr Irfaan Ali on Tuesday accepted Letters of Credence from the new Resident Ambassador of Cuba, Jorge Francisco Luis and the new Resident Ambassador of Mexico, Mauricio Vizcaino Crespo.

According to a post on the President’s official Facebook

page, during accreditation of the Cuban Ambassador, President Ali said that Guyana and the Spanish-speaking country share a special bond that extends beyond the political sphere.

He recalled and expressed appreciation for Cuba’s support of Guyana’s develop -

ment, particularly in building out the human resource capability.

In his remarks, Ambassador Luis extended his gratitude to Guyana for its continued strong support, while he acknowledged the many areas in which the two countries can further collaborate.

Meanwhile, during accreditation of the Mexican Ambassador, Dr Ali pointed to the strengthened relations between the two countries and areas for further collaboration, including in food security.

He related that the country’s tremendous skillset,

— both diplomats present Letters of Credence to President Ali

technical capabilities and experience would be important, as Guyana positions itself as a hub for food production in the region.

The President said it is vital for the Mexican private sector to understand what is taking place in Guyana, and to create opportunities to be

part of the country’s transformation.

In his remarks, Ambassador Crespo said his mission is to strengthen relations between the two countries and to celebrate the 50 years of diplomatic ties with new initiatives and projects.

President, Dr Irfaan Ali in discussion with the newly accredited Cuban Ambassador to Guyana, Jorge Francisco Luis (Office of the President photo)

President, Dr Irfaan Ali accepts the Letters of Credence from the new Resident Ambassador of Mexico, Mauricio Vizcaino Crespo (Office of the President photo)

Supervisory firm in place; land acquisition complete –– for New Demerara River bridge project

By Shamar Meusa

A SUPERVISORY firm, which is expected to oversee construction of the new Demerara River Bridge, is in place and paves the way for the project to get underway soon.

This was according to the Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill on Tuesday, as the National Assembly dissolved into the Committee of Supply for consideration of estimates for Budget 2023.

During the examination of estimates for his ministry, the minister was asked about the budgeted cost of some $5.163 billion for capital works and whether this budgeted sum caters for land acquisition among other things.

Edghill related that the contract for construction of this new bridge was signed in May of last year and as such, the firm which was later awarded the contract to supervise the works was recent-

ly received in the country.

“That supervisory firm took effect from January 15, 2023, and they are in their mobilisation stage,” he said, adding that he was able to meet with them on Friday last.

Minister Edghill said that the contractor is required to submit all of the reports on geotechnical-related matters and design to the supervisory firm for review and to have approval for the construction.

He informed the committee that the minister would not directly approve the design, geotechnical and other technical things. However, the supervisory firm that won the bid for this aspect of the project will undertake this.

Further, Edghill said the company that will be handling that aspect is Politecnica Ingegneria out of Italy.

The minister went on to tell the committee: “Just last Friday, an engagement was held with the contractor and

the supervisory firm and my project team, and we will be able to keep the nation

updated in another couple of weeks on the various stages of where the bridge will be.”

In relation to the matters of land acquisition, Edghill said that the Ministry of Housing and Water has successfully negotiated and handled all of the properties that are in the path of the bridge. He added that there has been no resistance from anyone, regarding their removal for the project to get underway.

The Public Works Minister said too that the civil-works contractor has been mobilised and the site office has already been established.

Additionally, site clearing has been done and preliminary works and other aspects have been completed.

“There are in excess of 35 technical staff from the contractor from China who are in the country, there are a number of Guyanese who have already been hired, the issues of the alignment and where the bridge is going has already been clarified… the surveys, levels and everything that needed to be done that would have necessitated

the Ministry of Housing engaging people for relocation, all of that has been done,” Edghill affirmed.

On May 25, 2022, a US$260 million contract was signed for construction of the new Demerara River Bridge.

A joint venture of Chinese companies, led by China Railway Construction Corporation is expected to undertake the project.

The new bridge is expected to be some 2.65 kilometres with two carriageways and four lanes. It is a hybrid design with the high span having a cable-stay design, even as the vertical height of the bridge is to be constructed at 50 metres from the mean highest watermark.

This new bridge is said to have a design lifespan of 100 years and will take the place of the existing bridge, which has been in operation for more than 40 years, passing its projected lifespan.

Workforce to be further enhanced ––

with $139M allocation

for new, rehabilitated training centres

THE Labour Ministry through the Board of Industrial Training (BIT) will continue in its efforts to build a skilled workforce across the country by expending close to $139 million to construct and rehabilitate several training centres.

The ministry plans to construct an office and training centres at New Amsterdam and Corriverton.

The plot of land at New Amsterdam was provided by the Town Council. This training centre will be constructed to the tune of some $39.9 million.

Labour Minister Joseph Hamilton, while responding to questions posed by the opposition during the budget estimates on Tuesday, said the land at Corriverton was gifted to the ministry.

“We plan to execute a project there to build an office and training centre to service the Upper Corentyne,” the minister said.

Also, regarding Region Nine, the minister said: “We have started to use a building that was built and left useless. We are now doing training programmes there.”

Hamilton related that the ministry plans

to inject $20 million into the facility to advance development and training for North Rupununi.

Rehabilitation works to the tune of $25 million will also be done at the Learning and Resource Centre for BIT at Unity.

“The intention for the Unity building is to utilise it as a training centre to certify and accredit persons who already have a skill.

“So, we have persons who are carpenters, masons, and electricians who don’t have the requisite certification and qualifications,” he informed the Committee of Supply.

Some $10 million has also been allocated for the completion of rehabilitation works at the Bartica Learning Resource Centre for the training of BIT students.

This initiative aligns with the government’s policy of delivering technical and vocational training programmes with a view to addressing the demand for skills in various sectors.

Minister Hamilton said currently, BIT offers many skills-training programmes that are accessible to citizens countrywide.

He said these programmes were mostly centred on the coastland and its environs, and were not available to persons elsewhere. This, he noted, changed when the PPP/C administration assumed office in August 2020 to ensure that the programmes are more inclusive, and accessible to all citizens.

“BIT is available in every region and sub-region of this country. Every hinterland region, river, every creek, and so the expansion you talk about has already happened…the expansion started in August 2020” Hamilton said.

In relation to training, he highlighted that some 5,600 persons graduated from BIT programmes in 2022.

He said the government remains committed to providing the necessary support for persons to be employed or to become entrepreneurs.

Some 40 persons are being trained in Region 10 for the heavy-duty operator programme.

This year, BIT intends to train almost 8,000 persons countrywide. (DPI)

Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill (DPI photo)

Minister of Labour Joseph Hamilton

Letitia Wright to be conferred with Honorary Degree today

GUYANA-BORN British Actress, Letitia Wright, will today be conferred with an Honorary Doctor of Letters from the University of Guyana.

The university announced on Tuesday that it will host an extraordinary convocation ceremony at the George Walcott Lecture Theatre on Wednesday at 09:00hrs.

The award-winning actress most known for her role in Black Panther, is currently in Guyana at the invitation of President, Dr Irfaan Ali and has toured several parts of the country since her return on Friday last.

House approves $72.2B for housing, water development

THE National Assembly on Tuesday approved a sum of $72.2 billion for the Ministry of Housing and Water to carry out its mandate for the year 2023.

This sum was approved after the National Assembly went into the Committee of Supply for day two of consideration of 2023 budgetary estimates.

During this process, Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal noted that some $54 billion was approved for the housing sector and of that sum, $50 million was set aside for infrastructural works including roads, bridges, water-distribution systems, electrical works and land preparation in new and existing housing schemes.

To this end, he noted that several areas will benefit from these intend-

ed infrastructural works such as, Meten-MeerZorg, Stewartville, Leonora, Non Pareil, Hope, Success, Enterprise, Great Diamond, Burma, Shieldstown, Palmyra, Mabaruma, Wales, Lusignan, Good Hope, Bartica Amelia’s Ward, Buxton/St. Joseph, Wakenaam, Charity, Chateau Margot, Sophia, and Number 75 Village.

Minister Croal related that $1 billion has been allocated for construction of the first 100 homes in the new Silica City,

located along the Soesdyke-Linden Highway.

It was then that opposition Member of Parliament Annette Ferguson asked the minister whether low-income earners will be able to access lands in these areas, inclusive of Silica City.

Minister Croal said in response: “The entire Soesdyke Highway is being addressed and will be available for all categories of applicants.”

He further said that infrastructural works will

be conducted in Charity, Patentia, Uitvlugt, Tuschen, Soesdyke, Chateau Margot, Sophia, Cummings Lodge, Plantation Belvedere and Amelia’s Ward, with the aim of regularising some 1,218 lots.

The sum of $10 million will be invested in each community, with an additional $10 million for utility services.

The Housing Minister further informed the committee that $7.3 billion will go towards the continuation of the Eccles to Diamond highway, as well as an additional $5.4 billion for the Schoonord to Crane four-lane highway.

Additionally, a total of $467.5 million was also approved for the construction of a new housing office in the vicinity of Houston.

Meanwhile, $17.7 billion was approved for water expansion and management of the sector, with $1.4 billion going towards upgrading and extending water-supply systems in hinterland communities across Regions One, Two, Seven, Eight, and Nine.

Upgrades will also be effected to water-transmission systems in areas such as Pouderoyen, Vergenoegen, La Parfaite Harmonie, Caledonia, and Cummings Lodge to ensure that residents have access to a reliable and consistent supply of clean water.

Black Panther star, Letitia Wright with Education Minister Priya Manickchand and local fans (Education Ministry photo)

Minister of Housing and Water Collin Croal (DPI photo)

Social services conference, learning lab in the pipeline

as $40.4B budget approved for Human Services Ministry

THE budgetary provision of $40.4 billion for the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security was, on Tuesday, approved in the Committee of Supply of the National Assembly.

Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, said the programmes and policies of the government in the area of social services have positioned the country as a pacesetter.

She outlined to the committee that: “This year, we’ll be hosting a conference to share on some of the more outstanding programmes of

the ministry… we will be sharing nationally and regionally the work we would have done on gender-based violence, and we are the country with one of most exemplary records under Spotlight.

“It is the Spotlight team’s expectation that Guyana leads this discussion because we have a comprehensive programme that focuses on strategies to tackle gender-based violence, as different from every other country in the region, which includes Latin America and the Caribbean.”

The conference will allow the ministry to speak

on several initiatives, including the 914/24-hour hotline and the range of services that the ministry offers such as the survivors’ advocate programme, which Minister Persaud noted is new to the region.

The Human Services Ministry has also created the iMatter app, which has a series of resources that persons can access using their electronic devices, including a 914-panic button.

“The kind of sharing we will do [will also showcase] the development of a referral pathway that links all of our regions through the police,

healthcare, and the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security’s programmes, “ the minister added.

Meanwhile, expenditure under childcare and protection services will see the implementation of a juvenile processing centre that will provide the necessary services for young persons, who have come into conflict with the law, to develop themselves.

The establishment of a learning lab, an institution that caters to the training and empowerment of persons living with disabilities, will also come on stream in 2023.

Dr. Vindhya Persaud, Minister of Human Services and Social Security

Letitia Wright: Woman of Substance

IT is not often that Guyana is host to persons who are esteemed international celebrities, especially when such individuals have Guyanese roots, as in the case of BritishGuyanese blockbuster actress, Letitia Wright, who is best known for her role in Marvel’s Black Panther.

The actress, who is currently on a visit to Guyana after migrating roughly two decades ago, has been making quite an impression on the minds of the Guyanese people, with the engagements she is having with a broad cross-section of the Guyanese community.

During brief remarks to parliamentarians at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, she urged Members of Parliament to work together for the betterment and empowerment of all Guyanese.

Apart from her several other engagements with senior government officials, including President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali and First Lady Arya Ali, she visited a number of historic sites and other places of interest, including the majestic Kaieteur Falls.

The fact that Ms. Wright was afforded the opportunity to address the country’s highest legislative branch speaks to the high regard in which she is being held by the current administration.

In her address to lawmakers, she said: “I just want to encourage you as you all come to make decisions for your country. I encourage you from both parties; I encourage peace and love.

I am proud of you both, and everybody that is working together for the betterment and empowerment of our country.”

These are indeed encouraging words, and could not come at a better time, when the country is on the cusp of massive growth and transformation.

Indeed, such sentiments are fully in congruence with the One Guyana vision, as articulated by President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, and which has gained resonance with a significant mass of the Guyanese people right across the ethnic and political spectrum.

It will be recalled that an invitation was extended by President Ali to the actress to visit Guyana in 2022 following her successful roles in the movie, Black Panther, and its sequel, Wakanda Forever.

But it was the simplicity and warmth that she exuded during her visit to the country of her birth that endeared her to the Guyanese people.

Born in Georgetown, she left the country for England when she was eight years old. While there, she subsequently made her acting debut in several television programmes, including Top Boy, Coming Up, Chasing Shadows, Humans, Doctor Who, and Black Mirror.

As someone with deep Guyanese roots, Ms. Wright has demonstrated that it is easier to take her out of her country than to take the country out of her.

Not surprisingly, she has indicated an interest in supporting local talent, including students from the Guyana National School of Theatre Arts and Drama, and others in the entertainment industry, and to use her platform to highlight Guyanese talent globally.

She has also shown an interest in supporting the work of the Iwokrama International Centre for Rainforest Conservation and Development.

Ms. Wright has, undoubtedly, become a role model for young people, not only in Guyana but throughout the world. Despite her fame and international acclaim, she has remained humble. In her own words:

“If anyone looks at me, I’m really just really humble. I come from a humble background, and I just got an opportunity, and always try to use my talent for good. I just hope that no matter how old you are, you just continue to reach for your dreams.”

Humility, it has to be said, is a true sign of greatness, and Ms. Wright has not been found wanting in this regard.

The whole of Guyana is proud of her achievements. She has certainly brought glory not only to herself and her country, but also to the millions of others whose lives she would have influenced by virtue of her extraordinary talent and her compassion. She has, indeed, shown that she is a woman of substance.

President Ali has waged a war on food insecurity

Dear Editor,

SINCE his election to office as President of Guyana following the fiasco of the March 2, 2020, general and regional elections which lasted for five months, Guyana’s Head of State Dr Irfaan Ali has carved out his own niche, both domestically and on the international stage.

His election to office which has coincided with Guyana’s emergence as an oil-producing nation has provided him with the rare but prodigious opportunity to become the most efficacious President in recent times.

As the country’s most youthful and vivacious President, Dr Ali more than any of his predecessors, is confident that the country is moving in the right direction.

In his quest to lead Guyana and its people to prosperity, he has visited almost every district, village and city to meet and greet the residents, as well as to solve their problems.

Known for his bravery and competency, Dr Ali has not shied away from going to any neighbourhood, either on the coast or in the hinterland, to heal the racial divide and promote unity among the people

which is at the core of his “One Guyana Initiative.”

On the international scene, President Ali has enhanced Guyana’s image in the Caribbean and the world on issues such as food security, fair trade policies, development and the region’s economy.

His goal is to attract investment to Guyana and the Caribbean, which had been ignored for decades by the international business community.

For many, his influence as a spokesperson for the Caribbean has been made possible through the country’s potential huge oil-and-gas reserves.

In office for only two and a half years, President Ali has met with several heads of states including the United States President Joe Biden; former Prime Minister of Britain, Boris Johnson; recently defeated President of Brazil, Jair Bolsonaro; President of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo and Suriname’s President Chan Santokhi, among many others.

He has also embraced almost all his CARICOM counterparts, including Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley; Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister, Dr. Keith Rowley, and St Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister, Dr Ralph

Gonsalves, among others.

Truth be told, President Ali has developed a good rapport with his counterparts in the Caribbean and fellow world leaders, which no doubt augurs well for the country.

What is already palpable in his short stint in office, however, is that President Ali is being guided through the governance process by his efficient Prime Minister and cabinet and by the trust placed in him by the people, who love and respect him.

And this should be no surprise to the general public because as we have seen, he has proved to be President for all the people.

That said, there has never been any real doubt about his presidency or his ability to lead the nation because of his ability and highly visible presence with the people, as well as his continued political influence abroad.

He is committed to building a prosperous Guyana, not only by talk, but by his action. As a result, the country’s private sector has supported him because of the seemingly huge investment opportunities that have emerged from the response which Guyana has attracted from the

Caribbean and the international business community.

So far, President Ali has met with little or no major political, economic and social obstacles to deter him from his goal to promote Guyana’s interest and investment potential among CARICOM, Latin America, Europe, Asia and North America, that has derived from the country’s oil windfall.

Unlike his predecessors, he has become the primary regional leader for food security in the Caribbean and elsewhere. Indeed, Guyana’s status as a major oilproducing country has placed President Ali in good standing with the region and with world leaders.

Few can dispute that President Ali has positioned Guyana on a process of socio-economic transformation, which has boosted his support base in the country still plagued by ethnic and political divisions.

If his political and socio-economic influences hold, Guyana will emerge as the bread basket of the Caribbean and thus reduce or end the region’s food insecurity.

Yours sincerely, Dr Asquith Rose

APNU, AFC need to develop a longue durée perspective of economic transformation

Dear Editor,

MORE than a half-a-century ago, the distinguished French historian, Fernand Braudel developed a temporal model of the world capitalist economy.

In doing so, he specified three temporal rhythms, namely: The histoire événementielle, the conjuncture, and the longue durée. Those translate into the short term, the medium term, and the long term.

I contend that the APNU+ AFC are focused on the short term, something that, if adopted and operationalised, would be disastrous for Guyana; oil or no oil.

As Braudel was fond of pointing out, the short term is that of the journalist, meaning a focus on recent events rather than the dynamics of structural change. For Guyana to lift itself out of the punishing injuries of poverty, it must adopt policies mindful of the longue durée, but articulated around the opportunities and constraints emanating from the world system above, and from the balances of social forces below.

Braudel also employed the concept of mentalities which designated the cultural outlook of elites. Elite culture, of course, has a huge influence on mass culture, and this issue is of special significance to Guyana.

The APNU+ AFC, with their focus on consumption and on sharing out all the revenues earned from oil and gas, could infect the general population with this ideology of “spend-today-go-bankrupt-tomorrow”.

Thus far, the Guyanese people have resisted this crash-course on wild spending. In fact, feedback from across the country indicates

serious commitment to long-term investments in infrastructure.

Everywhere you go, people want a balance between high incomes today, and investments in education, healthcare, security, and transportation, all of which will produce results for generations to come.

Guyanese writers are fond of likening our chances to those of Singapore and the Gulf States. I can assure you, we are not going there anytime soon, because those are special cases. More on this later.

What we do know, however, is that countries such as Malaysia that invested heavily in education and other kinds of infrastructure were able to leapfrog at least one of W.W. Rostow’s stages of economic growth, based on a theory with the same name.

It might be instructive to know that the New Economic Policy in Malaysia, from 1971-1990, was partially in response to ethnic conflicts there in 1969.

The State committed substantial portions of the budget to education, with heavy emphasis on greater inclusion for the native Malays who had hitherto not been fully “assimilated” into the national development plans.

Similarly today, the PPP/C’s 2023 budget is placing heavy emphasis on access to building out the infrastructure for Indigenous students as well as students in rural areas. Note that 70 per cent of our population live in rural and hinterland areas.

The myopia of AFC’s economic thinking was clearly expressed in the speech of its leader, Mr. Khemraj Ramjattan.

Early in his speech, Ramjattan used the word “paradigm” to describe the new reve-

nues from oil. The word was misused, or, at best, it was not used in the conceptual sense intended by Thomas Kuhn’s in The Structure of Scientific Revolutions (1962).

Kuhn described the traditional, customary, expected, and institutionally protected knowledges or ways of doing things (methods) as “normal science.”

A scientific revolution occurs when those established ways are jettisoned and replaced by new ways of thinking, which is to say, when there is a structural movement resembling a shift in tectonic plates rather than mere quantitative changes within the extant system.

A new paradigm implies abandonment of the old ways, old questions, and old answers. Instead of mere quantitative changes, there are qualitative changes; this last being more about the longue durée, pace Braudel.

In typical, normal science fashion, Mr. Ramjattan and APNU leader Mr. Aubrey Norton see the new oil revenues in the same old ways, excepting for the alteration of volume for quantity.

Put differently, they see more money, but want to do the same old thing, which is to spend it all out today without concern for what comes next year, or in the next generation.

Both President Ali and Vice-President Jagdeo, as well as Dr. Ashni Singh, have been tireless in trying to get not only the Guyanese people, but the Opposition to understand that new and more money does not necessarily guarantee prosperity.

Their efforts go beyond explaining the dangers of Dutch Disease or the resource curse; they ask different questions, the pri-

mary one being: How do we as a people use the oil-and-gas resources to chart a different, long-term course of socio-economic development that would be both economically and environmentally sustainable?

Their answer is one that might be best described as responsible pragmatism. Here, the emphasis is on improving the human security of individuals and communities by investing in those salient dimensions of personal and community well-eing that are self-reproducing.

The current world system is such that our resources are not necessarily at our full disposal; there are national governments, multilateral organisations, and social forces, often in the form of NGOs, that seek to manage our affairs from afar.

We live in a world system grounded in, and governed by, hegemonic practices where national sovereignty can be severely compromised. This is why a big part of the new paradigm is us standing as one.

The limits of the possible are not of our own choosing. Yet, we must navigate this same system of economic and political power through the excellent quality of leadership at our disposal, combined with the resolve of a nation that stands together.

Now, that is a new paradigm! Budget 2023 is a step in this direction.

Oil is not merely an event; it must bring, and has brought forth innovative ideas in this current conjuncture.

Yours sincerely, Dr. Randolph Persaud

After left to ‘rot,’ GuySuCo on course for brighter days

–– as National Assembly approves $2B for capital works at sugar estates

THE sum of $2 billion was on Tuesday approved by the National Assembly for critical construction works at several sugar estates across the country.

As the assembly was dissolved into the Committee of Supply during day two of consideration of the budgetary estimates, Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha said that $ 1.195 billion of

tion, the minister said the monies will be spent to attain a number of equipment.

One semi-mechanic planting trailer, four fix-spray tractors, fertilizer applicator, boom sprayer, 200 drainage tubes, 260 cane punts, 200 sling chains and five bell loaders are among the necessary equipment that will be purchased.

Another $539 million has

will give us approximately eight to 10 weeks of grinding,” Minister Mustapha said. Additionally, another $300 million was approved for the start of construction of a packaging plant at Albion in Region Six, while $452 million will be allocated to purchase much-needed equipment.

Minister Mustapha was heavily questioned by A

the capital $2 billon sum labelled as a contribution to the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), will be expended to facilitate reopening of the estate.

“We are reopening Rose Hall this year, the second crop there, we will see smoke out of the chimney,’ Minister Mustapha said.

Providing a disaggrega-

been allocated for the factory at Rose Hall, while the sum of $50 million has been set aside to improve the network of roads around the estate.

“Seventy-five per cent of the works at the Rose Hall factory has been completed… they have almost 3,000 hectares of cane that is ready for the second crop of 2022, so that will harvest and that

Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) opposition members of parliament about the allocations and investments into the sugar industry.

According to Opposition MP Vinceroy Jordan, the industry did not meet its previous targets and questioned why such hefty sums are being allocated to GuySuCo;

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha

however, Mustapha noted that sugar will “be profitable again.”

“It is public knowledge by now, but a study shows that packaged sugar is more lucrative than the bulk sugar and I mentioned that this year we will increase packaged sugar more than the bulk sugar, so that we can have more money, more revenue generating from GuySuCo,” the minister said.

Some $207 million has been allocated to Blairmont for the provision of critical equipment, while another $200 million will be allocated for expansion of the backfield lines of that estate. Additionally, $56 million

will go towards developments at the Uitvlugt estate, in Region Three.

Minister Mustapha said that the sugar industry had made significant contributions towards the development of the country’s economy.

He reiterated that the industry plays an important role in generating employment for thousands of Guyanese and generating economic wealth in various village economies.

“GuySuCo satisfies a number of issues in the country, the social issues… look at how many employment, and look at the village economy, look at the social facility, all those contributions

GuySuCo is making to the development of our country.

“GuySuCo is responsible for all or most of the wealth that we own today in Guyana. Even the National Cultural Centre we had money taken from GuySuCo to build… it is making a valuable contribution for our country’s economy,” Mustapha added.

In 2017, the APNU+AFC closed four sugar estates, leaving some 7,000 persons without jobs or sources of income.

“When they closed the estates, they left the punts to rot. Now we have to build back,” Mustapha pointed out.

25 smart classrooms on the cards for 2023

SOME 25 smart classrooms are expected to be enhanced or established, this year, at secondary schools across Guyana, to add to the over 10 schools in Guyana that have already been equipped with smart classrooms over the last two years.

Provisions for the smart classrooms are part of a $1.35 billion allocation in the Ministry of Education (MoE) 2023 budget under the Secondary Education Improvement Project, which is being funded through the World Bank.

This was according to Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, as she faced questions when the consideration of the 2023 budget estimates continued on Tuesday.

“There will be 25 secondary schools benefitting from some aspect of smart classrooms,” Minister Man-

ickchand said, as she faced queries from Opposition Member of Parliament, Natasha Singh-Lewis.

Minister Manickchand did not falter to remind that it was only under the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) that smart classrooms have been set up at secondary schools across Guyana, notwithstanding previous false claims by former Minister of Telecommunications, Cathy Hughes that the APNU+ AFC had set up a number of smart classrooms.

In 2021, Hughes had claimed that her ministry had installed and operationalised 11 smart classrooms under the coalition government; however, it was later proven that though the equipment had been procured, the smart classrooms were never set up

since the then MoE had never put in place the requisite infrastructure.

As such, the smart classrooms at the schools were never operationalised. It was not until the change of government in 2020, that the People’s PPP/C began aggressively opening a series of smart classrooms across the country.

The first smart classroom was opened by the PPP/C since 2015 at the North Ruimveldt Secondary School, while the second was opened at the Queen’s College in 2020.

Since then, over 10 classrooms have been opened in almost every region across the country.

Smart classrooms have also been established at the Queen’s College, St Stanislaus College, Brickdam Secondary and East Ruimveldt

Secondary in the city; President’s College on the East Coast of Demerara; Charity Secondary School in Region Two; Leonora Secondary in Region Three, the New Amsterdam Secondary School ( NASS) and Skeldon Line Path Secondary in Region Six, and Christianburg Wis-

mar Secondary School in Linden, Region 10, among others.

The smart classrooms are equipped with an interactive, computerised, touchscreen whiteboard, and cameras which can be used to video the lesson by the teachers and a monitor connected to the

cameras.

Teachers of any subject can utilise the devices to make their classes more interactive and attractive to students. This technology is deemed very necessary as the world moves forward to a more technologically assisted methods of teaching.

The Rose Hall Sugar Estate

Impressive biodiversity defines Guyana’s vast forest ecosystem

BIODIVERSITY, also known as biological diversity, is the number, variety, and variability of living organisms within a certain terrestrial, aquatic, or marine habitat.

Ecosystems at all scales, from the local to the global, depend on biodiversity as a key component and structural component.

Through the services it offers, biodiversity affects human well-being.

These services include the provision of food, clean water, fuel, recreation, temperature control, nutrient cycling, and many others.

Because so many individuals depend on biodiversity for their everyday lives, ecosystem services and biodiversity support the world economy.

Guyana’s economy has greatly benefitted from biodiversity and related resources, particularly in the forestry, fishing, and wildlife industries.

In addition to these and other conventional development activities and sectors, Guyana can foster developmental activities based on a number of different biodiversity-related goods and services. The aim is to protect these resources while sustainably managing their utilisation.

The creation of ecotourism and wildlife products, bioprospecting, product invention and development, intellectual property rights, company incu-

bation, and market research are a few examples of this.

This will also entail expanding traditional and indigenous livelihoods based on biodiversity and supporting women’s and young people’s business ventures.

From a domestic standpoint, other areas that will improve include building up local markets for sustainable fisheries, non-timber forest products, marketing assistance for tourism, and enhancing aviation infrastructure.

Understanding Guyana’s resources require documentation and data on its biodiversity.

Strengthening and consolidating existing databases and biodiversity-related information systems, including establishing systematic ways to collect, store, analyze, and share data, are paramount.

The emphasis is on enhancing institutions’ research, including the Centre for Biodiversity as an elite centre.

Regulatory authorities like the Wildlife Conservation and Management Commission, the Guyana Forestry Commission, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Protected Areas Commission will work together to conduct research programmes to support decision-making, planning, and biodiversity management.

The Iwokrama International Centre’s extensive research capacity will be optimised in

order to advance work in this field.

Modern knowledge and abilities will enable the utilisation of biodiversity through the LCDS. This calls for developing the capabilities of experts with management and regulatory responsibilities.

Through technical assistance and transfer, promotion, and investment in contemporary, cutting-edge technologies that are environmentally responsible and appropriate for Guyana’s setting.

Provision of adequate technology and administration of resources, including enforcement and monitoring. It is essential to emphasise the significance of information and communications technology in managing and conserving biodiversity.

Guyana is located in the Guiana Shield and the Amazon region, two of the world’s most biodiverse regions. Ecosystems in Guyana have a very low rate of conversion, deterioration, and destruction and remain generally intact and functional. The Guiana Shield’s northernmost edge is where Guyana is located.

This distinctive area includes Suriname, French Guiana, some of Venezuela, as well as a small portion of northern Brazil and Colombia. According to studies, the geological creation of this area extends over 270 million hectares and is more than two billion

years old. As a result, its value in terms of biological diversity has been acknowledged on a regional and worldwide scale. The numerous ecosystems present across the country’s landscape, including forests, savannahs, rivers, and wetlands, would contribute to this.

Together, these habitats offer homes to hundreds of different kinds of plants and animals. According to current estimates for the leading group of biodiversity, Guyana’s sixth national report to the Convention on Biodiversity (CBD) includes more classifications, such as those for arthropods, fungi, nematodes, and algae.

Further, 13,229 species are thought to be present in Guyana overall.

Despite its small size, Guyana has a remarkable amount of biodiversity. There are at least 2,285 vertebrate species in the nation, including around 900

bird species, 625 exclusively freshwater fish species, 250 mammals, 250 amphibians, and 210 reptiles.

According to maps of species diversity, Guyana is a global hotspot for freshwater organisms, including mammals, amphibians, reptiles, fish, crabs, crayfish, birds and amphibians.

The Caribbean region has average marine vertebrate diversity, which ranks modestly worldwide.

More than 7,000 different kinds of vascular plants may be found in Guyana, the vast majority of which are indigenous to the nation.

More than 85% of the known vascular plant species from the three nations that make up the Guiana Shield are represented by the Guyanese flora.

The predicted number of invertebrate species in Guyana is about 100,000. (insects,

arachnids, crustaceans, myriapods, molluscs, annelids, sponges, cnidarians, and others).

Guyana’s biodiversity is continuing, and new plant and animal species are identified every year. In 2021, numerous fish, plants, insects, butterflies, and a bat were identified in Guyana.

Nearly 100 of the vertebrate species known from Guyana are unique to this planet.

These include 19 endemic amphibian species, like the critically endangered Kaei Rock Frog, known only from the Maringma Tepui; 75 endemic fish species, like the armoured catfish (Ancistrus Kellerae), known only from the Kuribrong River below Kaieteur Falls; and endemic reptile species, like the lizard Pantepuisaurus Rodriguesi, also known only from the Maringma Tepui.

Cost-recovery audit for completion in March 2023

By Tamica Garnett

THE last report for the much-anticipated cost-recovery audit of the 2018 to 2020 expenses of ExxonMobil Guyana’s subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) is expected by March, 2023.

Speaking before the National Assembly on Tuesday as the House continued to examine the 2023 budgetary estimates, Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, said that there was some misconception on when the audit was due.

“It said 120 working days. And there’s a misconception that it would be 120 running days or consecutive calendar days. But it’s 120 working days, so the last report is due in March of 2023,” Minister Bharrat explained in response to questions from Opposition Member of Parliament, Da-

vid Patterson.

The audit process will provide a detailed look at the expenses that ExxonMobil Guyana has claimed and recovered against revenues generated in the oil-and-gas sector. A preliminary report was submitted to the government in December.

The audit process is a good-faith arrangement between the government and companies, and also an important pillar of transparency and governmental oversight of the oil-and-gas industry.

It is just one of many activities taking place under the Ministry of Natural Resources’ Guyana Oil and Gas Capacity-Building Project.

Bharrat said that some amount of delay in the audit was due to accountants and auditors from the local consortium having to travel.

“The whole idea of having a local consortium participating in this is to build

capacity, so there has been a slight delay but it is at the expense of building capacity locally so that we can have this local consortium, and even add more local companies to them, the door is not shut to that,” Minister Bharrat related.

He added: “What has happened since then is that the consortium would have sent a number of their accountants and auditors to Oklahoma to do some train-

ing programmes… they went to Houston as well too.”

Capacity building in the area of human resources will bode well for the ability of Guyana to do future audits, and even result in more audits within shorter time periods.

“They can do future audits, and we can reach a stage where we’re not just auditing 2018 and 2019, but we can actually order 2021 and 2022 at half yearly audit. [We can

do that] once we have that capacity.

“We do have auditors and accountants in Guyana, but can they actually audit oiland-gas expenses? The answer to that is no. They need to familiarise themselves for the expenses associated with the oil-and-gas sector. If we’re going to talk about a riser or drilling fluid then they’re not quite familiar with that. So it’s more of a learning process too and building capacity,” Bharrat explained.

It was in in May, 2022, that the government signed a contract with a consortium of Guyanese auditors to the tune of some US$751,000 to conduct a cost-recovery audit of ExxonMobil’s post-2017 expenses.

The contracts were awarded to Ramdihal & Haynes Inc., Eclisar Financial, and Vitality Accounting & Consultancy Inc. The local

consortium is supported by international firms – SGS and Martindale Consultants.

As part of the contract, the local companies were expected to benefit from capacity building which would eventually see them conducting such audits independently.

The American-Guyanese consortium of auditors is examining approximately US$7.2 billion in expenses related to petroleum operations in 2018, 2019 and 2020.

Under the 2016 Production Sharing Agreement (PSA), up to 75 per cent of annual oil revenues can be assigned to production costs, while the remainder comprises profit oil to be split evenly between Guyana and the Stabroek Block co-venturers.

Once the audit is completed, it is expected to be made public and submitted to the Auditor General’s Office.

Food security, climate vulnerability, other areas take centre stage

during discussion between government officials, team from World Food Programme

MINISTER of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd, on Monday joined Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips in a meeting with representatives of the World Food Programme (WFP).

The visiting delegation included the WFP’s Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, Lola Castro; Senior Director for the Strategic Partnerships Division, Mr Stanlake Samkange; Representative and Country Director, WFP, Regis Chapman, and the United Nations Resident Coordinator to Guyana, Ye?im Oruç.

According to the foreign ministry, the discussion centred on areas of food-security measures, climate crises and vulnerability, mitigation

financing, and disaster preparedness.

Prime Minister Phillips stated that Guyana sees itself as a global leader in food security and outlined local and regional initiatives such as the Barbados black belly sheep, brackish-water shrimp and the hatching egg projects.

The WFP is the leading humanitarian organisation saving lives and changing lives, delivering food assistance in emergencies, and working with communities to improve nutrition and build resilience.

WFP works closely with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), as well as with more than 900 national and inter-

national NGOs to provide food assistance and tackle the underlying causes of hunger.

The WFP’s visiting team is also expected to meet with President, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali to discuss additional areas for collaboration.

Meanwhile, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), the UN agency that is specialised in leading the international efforts to defeat hunger, in collaboration with University of the West Indies (UWI) have taken steps to commence a ‘Price of Healthy Diet’ Survey in Guyana.

Notably, Guyana will host the 38th session of the FAO Regional Conference for Latin America and the Caribbean, in 2024.

This regional conference is the most important meet-

ing of the member countries of FAO in Latin America and the Caribbean; it allows them to face common challenges and set the FAO’s regional priorities every two years.

In addition to the ‘Price of Healthy Diet’ survey being implemented, the FAO’s collaboration with the government is also expected to see additional farmers

receiving support through the distribution of farming implements valued at G$10 million.

President Ali, in an engagement with the diaspora in September 2022, had said that his government is managing the country in a way that would enable Guyana to lead in climate, energy, and food security, which will en-

sure sustainability, resilience and prosperity.

“We want to position Guyana through the leveraging of our natural assets, through the leveraging of our natural competitive advantage, position Guyana at the front seat of all three of these areas,” the president stated at the engagement. (DPI)

Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips; Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd; WFP’s Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, Lola Castro and members of the visiting delegation (DPI photo)

East Bank corridor to get first pump station

–– as house clears $6B for drainage and irrigation

–– other pumps, sluices, pump stations to be upgraded

By Naomi Parris

COMMUNITIES along the East Bank of Demerara (EBD) corridor that are often affected by flooding will see some new improvements with the establishment of the district’s first pump station, following the National Assembly’s approval of a $6 billion allocation for drainage and irrigation.

As the assembly was resolved into the Committee of Supply during day two of the consideration of the budget estimates, on Tuesday, Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, was questioned extensively on a $6 billion allocation to the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA).

Mustapha said the sum of $4.3 billion has been allocated as a rollover sum to see the continued installation of 12 pumps.

This year, the Ministry

of Agriculture will install eight new drainage pumps across the country.

“We have here, maintenance of drainage and irrigation projects across the country… we would have purchased a number of pumps and we are now doing a number of sluices to complement those pumps,” Minister Mustapha told the committee.

Of the $6 billion allocation, Mustapha said eight new pump systems, including the construction of a pump station on the EBD, will be pursued while a new engine will be placed at the Montrose pump station to advance drainage efforts along the East Coast of Demerara.

“Last year, we started the construction of 12 pumps, $4.3 billion is allocated to these projects, because these projects are roll over projects. This year, we will build another eight

additional pumps… for the first time in history we will build pumps station on the East Bank of Demerara, we never had pump station there before,” the minister said.

Additionally, Mustapha said that the NDIA will be doing impoldering works and building farm-to-market roads in several regions.

“We had thousands of acres of land in the Pomeroon that we will be impoldering so that we can resolve the issue of flooding… we will do farm-to-market roads in a number of areas, places like Victoria, Buxton, Letter Kenny Onderneeming to name a few to name a few areas,” he related.

The allocation will also see the sum $104 million being set aside for a new dam and mangrove restoration efforts in Region Five all aimed at bringing flood relief to communities within the region.

Oil and gas data management system, institutional strengthening soon

with $500M set aside in Budget 2023

THE sum of $500 million has been allocated in the 2023 budget for the creation of an oil and gas data management system in Guyana and institutional strengthening of the country’s capacity to monitor the burgeoning sector.

Set aside under the Oil and Gas Sector Development Programme, the allocation provides for the creation of oil and gas data management system as well as the enhancement of legal and institutional framework for management

and oversight of oil and gas sector, capacity building for the Ministries of Natural Resources, Public Works and Finance, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), and support for public relations for oil and gas sector and project management.

Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat underscored the importance of the need for Guyana to have its own oil and gas data manage-

ment system, in his response to questions on the estimates for the Ministry of Natural Resources, on Tuesday.

The $500 million is part of a $4.2 billion loan from the World Bank, of which $938.914 million has already been spent.

Having a sufficient data repository is a good way for Guyana to build on its local content, the minister highlighted.

“Our oil and gas data is not stored in Guyana. And the issue with that is that we can make a lot of revenue by having that data in country. Presently, it’s being hosted by one or two different companies in Houston that has the kind of capacity to hold our data,” Minister Bharrat said. He related that Guyana’s oil and gas data being stored out of the country is how it has been since the nation had begun producing oil, and is due to the lack of capacity to host the data in Guyana.

Owing to this, Guyana is losing out on money that could be gained locally. An example, according to Minister Bharrat, is the ongoing oil-block auction, in which

14 offshore blocks are being auctioned.

Some of the oil blocks come with technical oil and gas related data, but Guyana cannot host the data, it is outsourced to third party companies, reducing the amount of money Guyana can receive.

“If any company [bidding in the auction] needs any additional data for Guyana, then they have to go to this third party in Houston and to pay for that data. Fifty per cent will come to us, but it is because we don’t have our own data repository in Guyana that we have to take 50 per cent and not 100 per cent.

“So we’re aiming to

change that. We can have our own data stored in Guyana, we can manage it and make the revenue for ourselves right here in Guyana,” Minister Bharrat emphasized.

Moreover, as Guyana’s oil and gas sector continues to develop, there will continue to be an increase in the amount of data that needs to be stored, not only from the Stabroek Block currently being operated by Exxon Mobil and partners Hess and CNOOC, but current and future blocks being explored.

“With the allocation [in the budget] we will be able to start that process, to get a consultant and look at our needs as a country. We would have to determine first of all what data we need to store, the size of the data, what software will be needed, what hardware will be needed and the specification requirements.

“These are all information that we need up front. So there is an allocation here to hire a consultants to start the initial work so that we are advised properly before we rush into the data repository in Guyana. It’s not as simple as it sounds, it is highly technical,” Minister Bharrat related.

Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, assisted by his team, responds to questions during the consideration of the budget estimates on Tuesday (DPI photo)

Clear path for continuation of economic diversification initiatives

— as House approves budgetary allocations for Agriculture and Tourism Ministries

THE budgetary allocations for the Ministries of Agriculture and Tourism on Tuesday received the National Assembly’s approval following meticulous examination of the Estimates of Expenditure during the 60th Sitting of the 12th Parliament.

Opposition members made several queries about the provisions made under the various line items in the Agriculture Ministry’s budget, including the amounts for the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), brackish-water shrimp, and drainage and irrigation works.

They also enquired about provisions under the Tourism Ministry for small-business grants.

Responses to all queries were provided by Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha and Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Oneidge Walrond.

During his budget presentation to the National Assembly on January 16, Senior Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh, had reiterated the government’s commitment to the diversification of Guyana’s economy, especially with focus on these two major non-oil sectors through increased production and productivity, expansion in acreages and use of technology to diversify into new crops and varieties.

He also stressed the importance of promoting high-value and value added commodities, including through agro-processing, and easing access for farmers and consumers, to markets.

“In the interest of advancing the food-security and agri-business agenda, we will, in partnership with the private sector, establish a regional food hub incorporating critical elements of the production and supply chain such as cold storage, manufacturing and processing capabilities, in order to

promote improved access to markets, both export and domestic.

“We will also establish the capability to harness greater use of science, technology and research and development to promote innovation and product development, promote hinterland agriculture for food security and self-sufficiency, as well as to meet the needs of markets beyond the local community,” Dr Singh had said, noting that $2 billion was allocated in Budget 2023 for those initiatives.

The government had reminded that when it assumed office in August, 2020, it was greeted with a sugar industry that was neglected and decimated with fields and factories abandoned and billions of dollars in machinery and equipment left to the elements; and over $2.5 billion in valuable standing canes were left to rot in the fields of the estates in Skeldon, Rose Hall, Enmore and Wales.

Additionally, during the period of the former administration, 7,000 workers were severed, and their extended families were left without

livelihoods.

The government has since committed to the revitalisation and restructuring of the sugar industry to support a diversified and modernised sector, ensuring its sustainability and economic viability.

Additionally, the government has launched the Agriculture and Innovation Entrepreneurship Programme (AIEP) to incentivize young people to pursue careers in agriculture.

The programme has seen over 100 students engaged in shadehouse farming, growing crops such as broccoli, cauliflower, carrots and romaine and iceberg lettuce with over 16 tonnes of vegetables produced.

Regarding the tourism industry, on which the government has placed major focus as part of its diversification efforts, increasing hotel-room capacity has been ongoing with the new Marriott under construction at Ogle and Four Points Sheraton at Houston, which will each offer 150 rooms upon completion.

Further, an additional 140 rooms are expected to be available from the con-

struction of the Marriott Courtyard at Timehri and 350-500 rooms at the Pasha Global at Liliendaal. Further, the Aiden by Best Western hotel at Robb Street is advancing in its construction, and once completed will add some 101 rooms to current capacity.

In relation to training and specialised skills to

boost the capacity of the country’s human resources, the government, over the last two years, executed various hospitality and tourism- related training programmes to over 3,500 persons.

Capacity will also be boosted with the completion of the Tourism and Hospitality Institute, which will cater for the

training of 2,500 persons annually.

Additionally, successful engagements were done with British Airways to commence operations in Guyana in March this year. Meanwhile, another flight service is expected to be introduced on the Guyana-Canada leg.

In the interest of advancing the food-security and agri-business agenda, government will, in partnership with the private sector, establish a regional food hub incorporating critical elements of the production and supply chain

Chinese economy gets off to a good start in 2023

WITH long queues outside restaurants, crowded subway cars, and active machines in factories and on building sites, the Chinese economy is shaking off its ‘COVID’ shadow, and has gotten off to a good start in 2023.

During the week-long Spring Festival holiday, which ended last Friday, cinemas, restaurants, and tourist attractions were swamped with people eager to satisfy their pent-up consumption desires.

Cinemas nationwide sold 129 million tickets, generating 6.76 billion yuan (nearly 1 billion U.S. dollars) in revenue in the period, up 11.89 per cent year-on-year. Some 308 million domestic trips were made, with tourism revenues hitting a total of 375.8 billion yuan, up 30 per cent.

Better-than-expected holiday spending improved confidence in a services consumption recovery,

CITIC Securities said in a report, noting that the catering sector is about to see a stable and sustainable rebound, and that tourism will strengthen gradually during peak seasons.

Expanding consumption has become a policy priority.

A State Council meeting on Saturday stressed the need for timely measures to promote an early recovery of consumption as the main economic driving force. Local governments have, since January, been rolling out favourable policies to improve consumer sentiment.

Shanghai, a mega-city in east China, on Sunday unveiled an action plan, including purchase tax exemptions for new-energy vehicles, and vouchers for sectors such as cultural tourism and catering. Hainan, an island province in south China, has actively promoted duty-free shopping, reporting 5.19 billion

yuan in sales from January 1 to 28.

A consumption rebound is a key theme for 2023, UBS economist Wang Tao said, predicting that fullyear nominal retail sales will grow 9 per cent, yearon-year.

FACTORIES IN FULL SWING

Post-holiday production is also picking up across the country, with factories in full swing.

On Saturday, the first business day after the Spring Festival holiday, construction on 136 key projects broke ground in Xi’an, capital of northwest China’s Shaanxi Province.

These projects, covering everything from advanced manufacturing to modern services, are expected to have an annual output of over 150 billion yuan, and create more than 110,000 jobs.

In the southwestern municipality of Chongqing,

more than 60 rotary drilling rigs were in simultaneous operation at a construction site for Changan Auto’s new factory in January. “With an investment of 6.3 billion yuan, the project will have an annual capacity of 280,000 new-energy vehicles,” according to project director Wu Kezhi.

Chongqing is planning to launch 1,123 major projects this year, with total investment up 18.5 per cent from a year earlier.

The same vigour can be seen nationwide, as local authorities are making solid efforts to resume production, bringing fresh and sustainable momentum to the economy.

Major economic powerhouses -- Guangdong, Zhejiang, Shandong and Sichuan provinces -- have set their 2023 growth targets at above five per cent. New measures for this year have been unveiled in local government work reports, and they are expected to boost

the high-quality growth of China’s economy.

BRIGHTENED OUTLOOK

The reemerging hustle and bustle across the country has painted an encouraging picture of China’s economy after a difficult 2022.

Saturday’s State Council meeting urged efforts to promote a steady economic rebound for the beginning of the year.

The meeting underscored the need to facilitate a speedy resumption of business and production after the holiday. Timely measures will be taken to promote an early recovery, advance opening-up in a steadfast manner, and stabilise and upgrade foreign trade and investment.

Global investors and institutions have remained confident in the Chinese economy, and multiple investment banks have upwardly revised their fore-

casts for China’s growth rate in 2023.

Liu Linan, head of China macro-strategy at Deutsche Bank, has predicted that the Chinese economy will expand about six per cent this year, and that growth will become even steadier in 2024 as China emerges from the impacts of the three-year epidemic. After returning to normalcy, and when financial risks tame and pro-growth reforms take effect, China’s resilience will also strengthen in the medium-to-long term, Liu said, expressing optimism about the prospects of Chinese assets.

The country’s economy has passed its most difficult moment and is expected to achieve an overall recovery and improve this year, with more market vitality unleashed and an accelerated rebound in activity, analysts have said. (Xinhua)

China’s economic diplomacy pursues mutual benefits, win-win results

CHINA is the world’s second-largest economy, largest trader in goods, and top recipient of foreign investment.

The Chinese economy is deeply integrated with the global economy, and the country’s economic diplomacy has become an important part of major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics.

China’s economic diplomacy not only serves the development of China, but also safeguards the common interests of the international community; it pursues mutual benefits and win-win results.

“Opening up” is a key word of China’s economic

diplomacy. In the past more than 20 years after China’s accession into the WTO, China’s overall tariff level has dropped to below 7.4 per cent from 15.3 per cent, much

lower than what the country promised when entering the organisation.

Last year, China’s annual foreign trade value, seeing improvement in its scale,

quality and efficiency, for the first time exceeded 40 trillion yuan (about $5.94 trillion). The country has remained the world’s top trading nation in goods for six years in a row.

Amid mounting global protectionism, China has made important contributions to building an open world economy with concrete actions.

In the next step, the country will steadily expand institutional opening-up with regard to rules, regulations, management and standards, further widen market access, reasonably shorten the negative lists for foreign investment access, and improve the system of pre-establish-

ment national treatment plus a negative list for foreign investment, so as to foster a market-oriented and worldclass business environment governed by a sound legal framework.

China has worked to build a globally-oriented network of high-standard free trade areas, and to promote the negotiation and conclusion of high-standard free trade agreements.

Since establishing the first pilot free trade zone (FTZ) in 2013, the country has so far set up 21 pilot FTZs and the Hainan Free Trade Port.

China will advance its free trade agreement strategy

to effectively connect domestic and foreign markets and relevant resources, in terms of “expanding scope, improving quality and raising efficiency,” aiming to provide institutional support for its high-level opening-up and to serve the building of a new development paradigm.

The country has signed 19 free trade agreements with 26 countries and regions. The volume of trade between China and its free trade partners accounts for about 35 per cent of the country’s total foreign trade.

China has made joint efforts with relevant parties on

China’s economic diplomacy pursues...

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the full and high-quality implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, so as to make the world’s biggest free trade agreement release more dividends.

At present, China is actively advancing its accession to high-standard economic and trade agreements such as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement, which fully demonstrates the confidence

of China’s economic diplomacy.

China is also joining hands with relevant parties to advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation.

So far, China has signed over 200 BRI cooperation documents with 151 countries and 32 international organizations. A large batch of flagship projects have been put into use or are under construction, such as China-Laos Railway, Piraeus Port, Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway, Addis Ababa–Djibouti Railway, Belgrade-Budapest Railway,

China-Belarus Industrial Park and Jakarta-Bandung HighSpeed Railway.

China is to consider holding the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation this year, so as to inject new impetus into global development and prosperity.

China is actively pushing for closer international cooperation in development.

In 2021, the country proposed the Global Development Initiative (GDI). Aiming at building a global community of development, the GDI puts development

first and the people at the center.

It advances practical cooperation in key areas including poverty alleviation, food security, COVID-19 response and vaccines, development financing, climate change and green development, industrialization, digital economy and connectivity.

The GDI puts development high on the global macro policy agenda, strengthens policy coordination among major economies, and ensures policy continuity, consistency and sustainability. Besides, it fosters global de-

velopment partnerships that are more equal and balanced, forges greater synergy among multilateral development cooperation processes, and speeds up the implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

More than 100 countries and many international organizations including the UN have voiced support for the initiative, and nearly 70 countries have joined the Group of Friends of the GDI.

China’s economic diplomacy always puts safeguarding the stable and smooth flow of global industrial and

supply chains in a very important position and adheres to the right course of economic globalization.

It strives to promote the liberalization and facilitation of trade and investment, advance bilateral, regional, and multilateral cooperation, and boost international macroeconomic policy coordination.

It will surely make greater contributions to fostering an international environment conducive to development and creating new drivers for global growth. (People’s Daily)

Businessman granted bail for felonious wounding

A 54-year-old businessman of Chateau Margot, East Coast Demerara, on Tuesday, appeared in the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court charged with felonious wounding.

Suruj Basraj, also known as ‘Vickram’ pleaded not guilty to the charge which was read to him by Magistrate Roshell Liverpool.

According to the police, he was granted $450,000 bail and the matter was adjourned until February 17.

Three months’ jail, $30,000 fine for possession of cannabis and ‘Molly’

DURANT Fredericks of Block 8, Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara will spend the next three months in jail after he pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking.

Fredericks, 46, was also fined $30, 000 when he appeared before Magistrate Roshell Liverpool at the Sparendaam Magistartes’ Court on Monday, the police said on its Facebook page. He was arrested on January 27 by a detective from Beterverwagting Police Station, after cannabis and ‘Molly’ were found in his possession.

Suruj Basraj

Durant Fredericks

Essequibo fishermen die in accident at Devonshire Castle — driver in police custody

TWO Essequibo families are mourning the deaths of two fishermen who tragically lost their lives Tuesday morning on the Devonshire Castle Public Road, Essequibo Coast.

Dead are 52-year-old Mohan Maniram of Devonshire Castle and 23-year-old Zamaan Rafeek of Jib Paradise Region Two. Police said the accident occurred around 01:00 hrs Tuesday, involving a black fielder wagon (PAD 831) and a bicycle.

The two fishermen were on a bicycle heading to sea to retrieve their fishing net

when the accident occurred.

The twenty-one-year-old driver is currently in police custody. Reports indicate that he was under the in -

Man granted bail for allegedly discharging firearm at ‘626 Bar’

BHAISHNAUTH Gurp -

ersaud, a 33-year-old electrician of Belle West, #2 Canal, West Bank Demerara, has denied discharging a firearm at a bar and was granted $650,000 bail by Magistrate Fabayo Azore.

Gurpersaud appeared at the Cove and John Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday to answer to three charges: possession of an illegal firearm and ammunition without being the holder of a firearm licence and discharging a loaded firearm within 100 yards of a public way.

The matter was adjourned until March 20.

According to Police Headquarters, it is alleged that on January 27, the accused and his 28-year-old cousin, a businessman of Bel Air Village, Georgetown, who is a licensed holder of a Taurus pistol, were at the 626 bar consuming alcohol when Gurpersaud pulled a pistol from his waist and discharged a shot in the air.

“The firearm mentioned above and 11 matching rounds of ammunition were found in his waist. He was then told of the offence, cautioned, and arrested,” the police said.

Gurpersaud later

fluence of alcohol and had fled the scene, but was later arrested by police.

Information revealed that Maniram’s head was severed

from his body due to the accident, while Rafeek’s body was flung into a nearby trench.

Rafeek’s body was later discovered floating and recovered.

Both men were friends and on their way to catch fish when the incident occurred.

Saleema Shakoor, the mother of Rafeek, told the Guyana Chronicle that she learned of her son’s death Tuesday morning after he did not return home, causing her worry.

She later reported to the Anna Regina police station

that her son was missing since it was unusual that he didn’t return home.

“We waited on him, but we didn’t see him returning. Then we got a call, and the people said that he had been in an accident and he apparently drown in a trench,” the mother related.

She said her son was the sole breadwinner for their family since her husband is currently bedridden. He had returned from the sea only three days ago.

Bishoondai Maniram, the sister of Mohan Maniram said after being alerted by a cell phone call about an acci-

murder of

FIVE years after several fishermen were killed during a pirate attack off the coast of Suriname, Corentyne businessman, Nakool Manohar called ‘Fyah’ and his accomplice Permnauth Persaud called ‘Sanbat’, were, on Monday, handed the death sentence for the crime which has been described as “gruesome” and “heinous”.

Manohar, 42, of Number 43 Village, and Persaud, 46, were sentenced by Justice Navindra Singh, at the Berbice High Court.

In December 2023, a 12-member jury found Manohar and Persaud guilty of the charge which read that, between April and June 2018, while in Guyana’s territorial waters, they murdered Mahesh Sarjoo called ‘Kuba’ and Tilaknauth Mohabir called ‘Camion’, on board the vessel, Romina SK 764, while committing the offence of piracy.

It was further alleged that the men, during the same period, murdered Bandara called ‘Spanish man’, Laita Sumair called ‘Bora’ and Lokesh DeCouite, on board the vessel, Joshua SK 1418.

claimed that the firearm was given to him by a friend, whom police later learned was his cousin. The area was searched, and one .32 spent shell was recovered.

The cousin subsequently told the police that the firearm belongs to him. He was also told of the offence committed before being cautioned and arrested. Both persons were escorted to the Vigilance Police Station along with the firearm, ammunition and spent shell.

During that period, four fishing vessels were attacked by pirates and several fishermen were savagely beaten, chopped and burnt with hot oil and left to die, while others remain missing and are feared dead. Five fishermen survived the traumatic ordeal.

The incident had gained international attention and placed tremendous pressure on the law enforcement authorities in Guyana and Suriname.

Investigators had said that the attack was an act of revenge in an ongoing disagreement among Guyanese fishermen and Manohar, who was one of the main suppliers

of fish to the Surinamese market. A brother of Manohar was killed in a drive-by shooting allegedly at the hands of other fishermen.

The State was represented by special prosecutor, Latchmie Rahamat and State Counsel, Nafeeza Baig.

Rahamat during Tuesday’s sentencing hearing said that Manohar was the mastermind behind the crime as he gave Persaud instructions to “ransom” the fishing vessels and kill the fishermen. She explained that the men only had one intention, which was to “make the sea run red.”

Additionally, she reflected on the testimony of Darandeo Persaud called “Archie bai”, one of the survivors of the deadly attack, who said that he only survived by the “grace of God.”

Darandeo had positively identified his attackers. The men did not wear any masks during the attack since they had no intention of leaving eyewitnesses.

Rahamat urged the court to consider the heinous manner in which the men were chopped by the pirates, tied to an anchor and thrown overboard.

Darandeo- although being injured- managed to survive on the water top for 24 hours before being rescued.

dent nearby, she immediately visited the scene where she saw her brother’s body lying lifeless on the road.

“It was tragic what happened; I am so sad at the kind of death my brother received. He was a loving person,” she said.

Rafeek’s body was retrieved from the nearby trench and taken to the Suddie Public Hospital where a doctor pronounced him dead. Both bodies are currently at the Suddie Mortuary awaiting a post-mortem examination. Police are continuing their investigations.

fishermen

prison

ing, the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Shalimar Ali-Hack, S.C., in a comment said: “…the rule of law prevailed in the trial and sentence in this case. Justice has been done to the fisherfolk who lost their lives in a most inhumane and gruesome manner and to their families who lost their loved ones while pursuing an honest living.”

Citing numerous aggravating factors, Rahamat said that the attack was premeditated and the men lacked remorse for their actions.

Darandeo gave his victim impact statement to the court on Tuesday. The frail man trembled uncontrollably as he spoke. He said that the attack has devastated his life and he is now forced to relive the attack every night when he sleeps.

Meanwhile, Persaud in his address to the court said: “I know is people’s children pass away and I’m sorry, but I ain’t know anything about this.” However, Manohar opted to remain silent.

Justice Singh said that as he went through the evidence in the case one question lingered in the back of his mind - “How can a human being decide to do something like this, and then carry it out?”

He added that the men showed no remorse for the “cruel, gruesome, heinous and cold blooded murders.”

“These men cannot be rehabilitated, and it would be reckless to let them return to civil society,” the judge said as he imposed the death sentence. He added that the sentence is in keeping with the provisions under the Hijacking and Piracy Act of Guyana.

Following the sentenc -

Earlier in January, two fishermen pleaded guilty to the 2017 piracy attack committed on 57-year-old Corentyne boat captain, Mahadeo Ramdeholl, also known as ‘Chico.’

Doodnauth Singh, 63, and Khemraj Narsayah, 44, both fishermen of Rose Hall, Corentyne, will be sentenced by Justice Singh come February 20, 2023.

According to reports, on May 16, 2017, around 18:30 hours in the Atlantic Ocean in the vicinity of Tain Village on the Corentyne, Singh and Narsayah, who were armed with cutlasses, pounced on Ramdelholl’s boat. They attacked him and his two crewmen, Arjun Permaul and Parmanand Nandan.

After relieving the victims of their fish and outboard engine, the men struck Ramdeholl on the head and pushed him overboard. The men also forced Permaul and Parmanand to jump into the water.

Ramdeholl’s body was found near the Rose Hall foreshore the next day and a post-mortem found that he died by drowning.

Following the 2018 pirate attacks, then President David Granger declared June 25 a National Day of Mourning in memory of the victims and to demonstrate solidarity with the grieving families.

Dead: Mohan Maniram Dead: Zamaan Rafeek

Bhaishnauth Gurpersaud

‘Pirates’ sentenced to death for

seven

— judge says they cannot be rehabilitated in

Nakool Manohar called ‘Fyah’ Premnauth Persaud ‘Sanbad’

Nicolette Fenandes headlines BCQS Squash Masters C/ships

By Sean Devers

WORLD Over-35 Masters Champion and Guyana’s 2022 Sportswoman of the year, Nicolette Fernandes, will headline the BCQS Squash Masters Championships that is scheduled to commence this evening at the Georgetown Club squash courts.

The 39-year-old Fenanades will compete in the Men’s draw in the four-night tournament that will conclude on Saturday.

There will be a ‘Bajan’ invasion and the locals will try to dominate the guests in what is anticipated to be a riveting competition.

The Canada-born Fernandes, who won a Pan Am Games Gold Medal last year, will match racquets with Reagan Rodrigues in match five of the opening night.

This will be the first

…Bajans dominate overseas contingent

tournament of a packed year for Squash in Guyana and it will be followed by the Bounty Farm Mashramani Handicap tournament that starts on February 15th.

Today, the action on court should be fast and furious with Javid Rahaman playing Dane Pereira, Javid Ali battling Nicholas Narain, Regan Pollard opposing Jason Van Dijk and Lee Fung-a-Fat competing with Jonathan Antczak in several all-Guyana matches.

Among the International players from Barbados are Shawn Simpson (O-35), Mark Sealy, Marlon White, Sanjay Amin, Dean Straker and Frank Jordan (O-55).

The O-65s from Barbados are Orson Simpson, Errol Pilgrim and Tony Roach.

Competing also are Trinidadian Peter Pirtheesingh and Mark Francis of BVI in the Over-45.

Winston Findlay from

BVI will play in the Over65 while Vincentian Hazel Ann-Sandy will compete on the distaff side in the Over35 category.

According to Chairman of Competitions, Deje Dias, they have confirmed over fifteen international players from across the Southern-Caribbean that will be on show.

The GSA executive said that players set to be here (in Guyana) for the BCQS 2023 Squash Masters hail from countries such as Barbados, British Virgin Islands (BVI), Trinidad and Tobago and the Turks and Caicos Islands.

There will be matches every night with at least four being contested each day.

The GSA also promised a little extra action happening on Friday with the first of the finals to be hosted on Saturday afternoon.

Action is scheduled to start at 16.00hrs today.

Day one of CWI 2023 West Indies Championship...

Walcott hits unbeaten 87 as Windwards Volcanoes bowled out for 243

TEVYN Walcott scored an unbeaten 87 while Bryan Charles and Terrance Hinds took four wickets each as the Windward Islands Volcanoes and the Trinidad & Tobago Red Force played out an even first day of the opening CWI 2023 West Indies Championship fixture at the St. George’s Stadium in Grenada.

The Red Force won the toss and chose to bowl first on a sunny first day. Their decision was rewarded early as Terrance Hinds removed former West Indies Under-19 Captain Kimani Melius for just four in the third over.

Hinds got his second victim just two overs later, removing Kavem Hodge caught behind for a duck.

Captain Alick Athanaze then joined Jerlani Robinson at the crease and the pair put on 28 runs before Robinson was dismissed by Tion Webster for a patient 14 off 40 balls.

This brought the experienced Sunil Ambris to the crease and he and Athanaze put on 54 for the fourth wicket before Athanaze was dismissed just after lunch for 40.

Barbadian all-rounder Justin Greaves was next in but went quickly for five to leave the Volcanoes reeling at 113-5, bringing Walcott to the middle to

Newcastle beat Southampton to reach EFL Cup FINAL

Newcastle United reached their first cup final since

1999 by overcoming Southampton in the EFL Cup at an ecstatic St James' Park.

Eddie Howe's resurgent side will face either Manchester United or Nottingham Forest at Wembley as the Magpies attempt to win their first major trophy since the Inter Cities' Fairs Cup in 1969.

Newcastle, who last played in a Wembley showpiece when they were beaten by Manchester United in the 1999 FA Cup final, had a 1-0 advantage from this

semi-final first leg, and Sean Longstaff settled any nerves among an expectant Toon Army with two early goals.

The only cloud over Newcastle's celebrations was a late red card for influential Brazilian midfielder Bruno Guimaraes for a challenge on Samuel Edozie, given by referee Paul Tierney after the intervention of VAR.

The hosts had gone in front just four minutes in as Longstaff took advantage of good work from Kieran Trippier to beat Saints

join Ambris.

Ambris, who has played six Tests and 16 ODIs for the West Indies, reached 55, his 15th Firstclass fifty, before falling at the hands of Hinds to leave the Windwards 130-6.

Walcott and Ryan John then combined to fight off the Red Force bowling, putting on 98 for the seventh wicket before their resistance was ended when John was dismissed caught behind off the bowling of Bryan Charles for 36.

The score quickly became 229-8 when Charles dismissed Kenneth Dember for a duck, taking his 100th First-class wicket.

Walcott provided some late hitting before Preston McSween and Darius Martin were both dismissed without troubling the scorers.

In the end, the Volcanoes were bowled out for 243 with Walcott finishing not out on 87, his third first-class fifty and highest

score.

Bryan Charles led the way with the ball, taking 4-46 from 17.1 overs while Terrance Hinds took 4-72 off 13 overs.

With Red Force debutant Vikash Mohan unable to open due to injury, Khary Pierre joined regular opener Jeremy Solozano at the top of the order.

The move didn’t work as pacer Darius Martin dismissed Pierre for a duck in the second over.

Captain Darren Bravo and Solozano ensured that the Red Force went into the end of the day with no further wickets lost, ending 50-1 off 21 overs, trailing by 193 runs.

Scores: Windward Islands Volcanoes: 243 all out in 63.1 overs (Tevyn Walcott 87*, Sunil Ambris 55, Terrance Hinds 4-72, Bryan Charles 4-46) Trinidad & Tobago Red Force: 50-1 (Darren Bravo 32*, Jeremy Solozano 18*). (Sportsmax)

keeper Gavin Bazunu, and the goalscorer then crowned a sweeping move with a confident finish in the 21st minute.

Che Adams gave Southampton hope with a fine 25-yard strike on the halfhour that ended Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope's attempt to keep an 11th clean sheet in succession, but their slow start cost them dearly to leave Howe and his players contemplating that Wembley date on 26 February. (BBC Sport)

LeBron James' LA Lakers accuse NBA of cheating after 'gut-wrenching' referee error

MATCH referees admitted making a "gut-wrenching" error after being accused of cheating by the Los Angeles Lakers in their defeat by the Boston Celtics.

Lakers star LeBron James was challenged by Jayson Tatum as he missed what could have been a game-winning shot.

But referees did not call a foul and the game went to overtime, with the Celtics eventually winning 125-121.

"There was contact, we missed the play," admitted the game's officiating crew chief Eric Lewis.

The National Basketball Referees Association wrote on Twitter: "Like everyone else, referees make mistakes.

"We made one at the end of last night's game and that is gut-wrenching for us.

"This play will weigh heavily and cause sleepless nights as we strive to be the best referees we can be."

The non-call had James hopping up and down in frustration, while team-mate Patrick Beverley ran on court with a camera seeking to show an official photographic evidence of the foul.

Beverley received a tech-

nical foul for his protests and the Celtics converted that free throw at the start of overtime.

Lakers player Anthony Davis said after the game that his side were "cheated" and suggested referees should be fined for missed calls.

"It's unacceptable and I guarantee nothing is going to happen to the refs," said Davis, who suggested that Tatum had committed a "blatant foul" on James.

"We got cheated. To miss

WI secure valuable workout as warm-up ends in stalemate

a call that blatant, the ref is sitting right there on the baseline, it's tough. It's not fair. I guarantee if the refs started getting fined for missed calls, it would be a lot better. But nothing's going to be done."

James added: "We don't have room for error.

"This is one of the best games we've played all year, and for this to fall on somebody else's judgment or non-judgment is ridiculous. It's ridiculous." (BBC Sport)

Surrey re-sign Windies all-rounder

Sunil Narine for T20 Blast

SURREY have re-signed West Indies all-rounder

Sunil Narine for the 2023 T20 Blast campaign.

The 34-year-old will be available for all games that do not clash with his commitments with the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in International League T20.

The white-ball specialist took 14 wickets in 14 games for Surrey last season and hit 199 runs, including 52 off 23 balls against Hampshire in June.

He has also played for Oval Invincibles in The Hundred.

Narine's career has seen him play in other Major Twenty20 Leagues, such as the Indian Premier League, Big Bash, Caribbean Premier League and Pakistan Super

Sunil Narine has played more than 100 times for the West Indies over all three formats

League.

"He is a world class cricketer, capable of producing magic with both the bat and ball. I know members and supporters will be excited by the prospect of his return," said Surrey director of cricket

Alec Stewart.

"He, along with the rest of us was disappointed last year when we didn't quite make it to Finals day, so I'm sure he'll be coming back in 2023 with a real hunger to put that right." (BBC Sport)

BULAWAYO, Zimbabwe, (CMC) – Fast

bowler

Shannon Gabriel and leftarm spinner Gudakesh

Motie collected two wickets apiece as West Indies’ three-day game against a Zimbabwe XI finished in a draw here Monday.

The 34-year-old Gabriel, on a comeback after having not featured in a Test in 15 months, claimed two for 21 while Motie, a 27-year-old with a single Test under his belt, picked up two for 24.

The Zimbabwe XI, resuming the morning on 52 for five, were dismissed for 122 in their first innings in response to the Caribbean side’s 517.

Timycen Maruma topscored with 37 and Tafadzwa Tsiga chipped in with an unbeaten 21, the only two players to pass 20.

The 34-year-old right-handed Maruma struck half-dozen fours off 74 balls in a shade over 2-¼ hours, anchoring a 23-run, seventh wicket stand with Tsiga, who faced 95 balls and counted four fours.

Tsiga then ensured the tail wagged, putting on a precious 35 for the last wicket with Faraz Akram who

finished not out on 19.

In their second turn at the crease, West Indies ended on 82 for two with vice-captain Jermaine Blackwood hitting an unbeaten 34 and rookie opener Tagenarine Chanderpaul, 23 before retiring, both spending valuable time in the middle ahead of the start of the opening Test next weekend.

Blackwood, searching for form after a lean spell against Australia last month,

counted four fours and a six in a fluent 49-ball innings while Chanderpaul batted time, spending nearly 1-¾ hour at the crease and hitting two fours.

They put on 44 for the third wicket after Raymon Reifer (1), promoted to open the batting, and Nkrumah Bonner (13) both failed.

West Indies take on Zimbabwe in the opening Test starting Saturday at Queens Sports Club.

Copa America 2024 to be played in the US

BUENOS AIRES: Next year's Copa América will be played in the United States and will include six Concacaf teams.

South American soccer body Conmebol said Friday its ten national teams will play the tournament out of their region after a deal with the confederation for North and Central America and the Caribbean.

The six guests for the 2024 Copa America will secure their spots according to their performances in the next Concacaf Nations League.

The tournament will be played during the Northern Hemisphere summer, Conmebol said in a statement.

The agreement also includes placing four of Conmebol women's teams in a Concacaf tournament, plus the creation of a new club competition.

Ecuador decided not to organise the 2024 Copa America, as expected, due to security issues.

The United States, Mex-

ico and Canada will co-host the men's World Cup in 2026.

LA Lakers star LeBron James

Test vice-captain Jermaine Blackwood

Argentina are the defending Copa America and World Cup champions.

Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrates with the trophy after winning the World Cup final against France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, last December (AP)

Matthews hails WI ‘strategic’ preparation but urges consistency

LONDON, (CMC) – Captain Hayley Matthews has underscored the importance of consistency if West Indies Women are to make an impact at next month’s ICC Twenty20 World Cup, and believes the pitches will also be a decisive factor in results.

The Caribbean side, winners of the 2016 edition of the tournament in India, have found themselves on a wretched nine-game losing streak in T20 Internationals but Matthews said she was buoyed by their “strategic and calculated” preparation for the South African showpiece.

“As a team we have big aspirations of playing a high level of competitive cricket. One of the main objectives we have is to expectantly showcase our improvements upon our first-round exit from the tournament in 2020,” Matthews said in her column for the International Cricket Council.

“We’ve had time to regroup and make developments to both our individual and team game which can, hopefully, assist us in creating some upsets to take us along a path to the finals.

In a contentious tournament like this, we believe consistent performances are vital to a successful run. As a result, we believe a confident run can also bring about the breakout of budding talent within the squad.”

She added: “Heading

Hope’s 91 in vain as Charles blasts 107 to complete highest successful chase in BPL history

however, Matthews backed her side to turn around their form, pointing to her side’s bowling as their main asset, along with the infusion of new blood from the Under-19 set-up.

“At the moment, our squad comprises a mixture of experience and youth, providing balance to the charismatic aura of our team,” said Matthews.

into this tournament, our immediate preparation has been very strategic and calculated. It has given us the opportunity to acclimatise to the conditions in South Africa, an entire month early.

“This comes through our tri-nation series against India and the hosts themselves, who are both world class opponents going into a tournament like this.”

Since their 2016 triumph, West Indies have suffered several disappointments in T20 World Cup outings. In 2018, they were good enough to reach the semi-finals before being dumped out by Australia Women, while in 2020 they won just one of four games to miss out on the final four.

The Caribbean side has continued to struggle of recent, whitewashed 5-0 by England Women in the Caribbean last December and then losing all four games of their tri-series this month.

Heading into the February 10-26 tournament,

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

(Tuesday, January 31, 2023)

COMPLIMENTS OF CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD 83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158)

Answers to yesterday’s quiz:

(1) vs IND, Bangalore, 1974-75

(2) vs AUST, Sydney, 1984-85

Today’s Quiz:

(1) Where and when did Basil Butcher make his Test debut?

(2) Who was leading the WI team at the time?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

“Our bowling has proven to be our strength over the past year, which, when paired with our exciting fielding, can help us to rally close games.

“With dependable veterans like Shakera Selman, Afy Fletcher and Stafanie Taylor leading the way with the ball, there is always a shot at defending almost any total set.”

He continued: “With that being said, small totals have now become much harder to defend on a regular basis. Women’s T20Is have come a long way in recent years and the standard of play has improved significantly.

“The game has become more competitive, with more teams having the ability to beat any other on a given day, and the gap between the top and bottom has narrowed.”

Matthews also hailed the quality of the pitches in South Africa, pointing out that they offered advantages for both batters and bowlers.

“South Africa has a reputation for having good cricketing conditions and is known for producing fast, bouncy pitches that assist fast bowlers but can also have a bit in it for the spinners as well,” the 24-yearold noted.

“The ball tends to come on to the bat nicely, making it a good place for batters to score runs. The teams that are able to adapt to the conditions in South Africa and make the most of the pitches will have an advantage.

“I can tell the fans to expect some high-scoring matches, but also, don’t be surprised if there are some low scoring games, due to bowlers liking the conditions here.

WEST Indian batsman Johnson Charles produced a magnificent 107 not out to lead the Comilla Victorians to a seven-wicket win over the Khulna Tigers in the Bangladesh Premier League at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.

The Tigers took first strike after the Victorians won the toss and elected to field first, a decision that looked like the right one when Mahmudul Hasan Joy was dismissed by Pakistani pacer Naseem Shah in the third over with the score on 13.

That wicket brought Tigers skipper Shai Hope to the crease alongside Tamim Iqbal and the pair put on a T20 batting masterclass, blasting the Comilla bowling all over the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium.

A 184-run second wicket partnership between them helped the Tigers reach 197 after 19 overs before Iqbal was finally dismissed five runs short of a magnificent hundred. Iqbal hit 11 fours and four sixes in 61 deliveries.

In the end, Khulna ended their 20 overs on 210-2 with

Hope ending not out on 91. His knock came off just 55 balls and included five fours and seven sixes.

The Victorians reply got off to the worst possible start when top batsman Litton Das was forced to retire hurt after being struck on the wrist with the second ball of the innings.

This brought Captain Imrul Kayes to the wicket and he and Mohammad Rizwan put on 22 before Kayes was dismissed for five in the third over.

Rizwan was then joined at the crease by Charles and the two put on a display like that of Hope and Iqbal in the Tigers’ innings.

The pair put on what turned into a match-winning 122-run partnership before Rizwan was dismissed for a 39-ball 73 in the 14th over.

Charles continued on his merry way and brought up a magnificent hundred with a six over cover in the 18th over. His knock came off 53 balls and included five fours and 10 sixes.He closed proceedings with a six in the 19th over to help the Victorians complete the highest chase in BPL history.

The Victorians now have 12 points from nine games and have secured their spot in the playoffs with a game to spare.

(Sportsmax)

Former Windies coach Estwick joins BCA staff

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, (CMC) – Veteran coach, Roddy Estwick, has been snapped up by the Barbados Cricket Association, just over a month after being released by Cricket West Indies.

The 61-year-old, a former Barbados fast bowler, will take up his new role on the BCA’s coaching staff starting Wednesday.

Estwick was a member of Phil Simmons’s support staff, serving as bowling coach during the Trinidadian’s recent three-year stint as head coach of the West Indies men’s team.

However, Simmons quit last November following West Indies failure to qualify for the main draw of

the T20 World Cup in Australia, his last assignment coming in the two-Test clean sweep ‘Down Under’ last month.

CWI subsequently opted not to renew the contracts of Estwick and batting coach Monty Desai, in a shakeup of the coaching unit.

West Indies, currently in Zimbabwe for a two-Test tour starting this weekend, are being led by interim head coach, Andre Coley, with former West Indies seamer, Kenny Benjamin, serving as bowling coach.

Batting icon Brian Lara has been hired as performance mentor.

A popular figure among players, Estwick has, in the past, served

Former West Indies assistant coach, Roddy Estwick

as West Indies Under-19s head coach, an assistant coach to the West Indies Women’s side and assistant coach to Caribbean Premier League franchise, Barbados Royals.

Johnson Charles hit a manificent unbeaten 107 for Comilla Victorians

West Indies captain, Hayley Matthews

Amsterdam says Sportsman-ofthe-year award was inspiring

DCC congratulates Imlach and Nedd on Guyana Harpy Eagles' selection

THE Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) has extended congratulations to Tevin Imlach and Ashmead Nedd on their selection to the Guyana Harpy Eagles squad for the first two rounds of the West Indies four-day Championship.

Imlach, who made his First-Class debut last season, has retained his spot while young Nedd has gotten his maiden selection.

“Imlach and Nedd are two young talents who have come through our youth programmes and are now beginning to blossom at the senior level. It is our hope they remain disciplined and continue to work hard to achieve the desired success at the highest level”, the Queenstown-based club said in a statement on Monday.

Furthermore, the club wish the entire team well, and hope they can regain the trophy they once held for five consecutive seasons.

Harpy Eagles get into

action from today when they face defending champions, Barbados Pride, at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, then travel to Grenada to face Windwards Volcanoes from February 8.

Guyana Harpy Eagles squad: Leon Johnson (Captain), Veerasammy Permaul (Vice-captain), Chandrapaul Hemraj, Matthew Nandu, Kemol Savory, Tevin

Imlach, Anthony Bramble, Kevin Sinclair, Nial Smith, Ronsford Beaton, Akshaya Persaud, Ashmead Need, Shamar Joseph.

Management: Ryan Hercules (Head Coach), Garvin Nedd (Assistant Coach), Albert Clements (Manager), Keshava Ramphal (Cricket Analyst) and Angelica Holder (Physiotherapist).

Fast bowler Shamar Joseph benefits from Project Cricket Gear

GUYANA’S senior cricket team latest selectee, Shamar Joseph, is the latest player to benefit from “Project Cricket Gear for young and promising cricketers in Guyana,” a joint initiative of Kishan Das of the USA and Anil Beharry of Guyana.

By Sean Devers

THIRTY-year-old GDF’s ‘Dynamite’ Desmond

Amsterdam was named Guyana’s Sportsman of the year at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports National Sports Awards Ceremony on Sunday night at the National Cultural Centre.

The Middleweight boxer told Chronicle Sport just after receiving his award and cash that it was an inspiration for him.

“Words cannot explain how I feel…. I am so proud to get this (Award)…It is

an inspiration for me to work harder to be the best boxer in Guyana this year as I focus on next year’s Olympics in France” said Amsterdam, who turned 30 on November 25 last year.

He said this Award along with the cash is encouragement to strive for my best whenever I represent my country and I think this (cash) is a great gesture by the Sports Ministry,” posited Amsterdam.

His medal in Ecuador, at the AMBC tournament, marked the first time that a Guyanese boxer had won

a financial reward at any IBA-sanctioned event.

“I would like to thank the Guyana Boxing Association’s president, Steve Ninvalle, for the work he is doing to make Guyana the boxing headquarters of the Caribbean.

I also want to thank the government, Coach Poole and all the other coaches and persons who have supported me,” said Amsterdam, who made his International debut on March 12, 2016, when he was knocked out by Juan Carrillo in Buenos Aires.

A few months ago, this young fast bowling all-rounder was basically unknown within the cricketing circle. The Tucber Park Cricket Club player announced his presence by his outstanding performances in both the 2022 Guyana Cricket Board Inter County Senior 50-OversTournament, which returned after close to a decade, and the recently concluded National Senior Cricket trials. As a result, he was selected for the senior team which is in Antigua to participate in the Regional four-day day tournament.

At a simple ceremony, held recently, Joseph was presented with a pair of cricket shoes. The organisers wish him well and is happy to be part of his development. Joseph was advised to stay fit, focus, disciplined and grounded.

Total cricket-related items

fitted from three junior gear bags, two trophies, three arm guards, 19 bats, two groin guards, three helmets, 18 pairs of cricket shoes, 11 pairs of batting pads, one thigh pad, one bat rubber and 16 pairs of batting gloves.

collected so far are: $310,000 in cash, two trophies, 13 cricket boots, 21 pairs of batting pads, 25 bats, 18 pairs of batting gloves, 20 thigh pads, one pair of wicket-keeping pad, three arm guards, two boxes, six cricket bags and three helmets. In addition to the above, $600,000 worth in gear was donated by Sheik Mohamed, former National wicket-keeper/batsman.

To date, 50 young players from all three counties in Guyana have already bene-

In addition, two clubs in the Pomeroon area received two used bats. Pomeroon, Leguan and Wakenam Cricket Committees and Cotton Tree Die Hard also collected one box of red cricket balls each while RHCCCC got two groin guards, 15 white cricket shirts, one pair of junior batting pads, one pair of wicket keeping gloves and a set of stumps and bails. The Essequibo Cricket Board and the Town of Lethem also benefitted.

Cricket-related items, used and new, are distributed free of cost to young and promising cricketers in Guyana. Skills, discipline and education are important characteristics of the recipients. Talent spotting is being done across the country and club leaders also assist to identify same. Progressive and well managed clubs with youth programmes will also benefit.

Flashback: Guyana’s Demond Amsterdam (right) connects to HectorAguirre of Mexico during their middleweight semi-final bout at the AMBC Championships in Ecuador

Ashmead Nedd Tevin Imlach

Shamar Joseph poses with his cricket shoes

BCQS Squash Masters C/ships

…Bajans dominate overseas contingent

GFF reached key milestones in 2022

THE Guyana Football Federation (GFF) has released its 2022 year-inreview summarising a period defined by the collective resilience and determination of our members, players, fans and stakeholders to bounce back from the COVID-19 restrictions and set a path of steady recovery.

The special edition is packed with striking photos and stories capturing memorable moments over a 12-month period, commencing with the Lady Jaguars player, Annalisa Vincent, securing a four- year scholarship to Graceland University in the USA, and including other activities such as the national teams’ international matches, the launch of the FIFA Football For Schools Programme, and the prestigious One Guyana President's Cup.

The more than 60-page edition also captures memories of a year during which football development strategies were reshaped to address new issues and to embrace new processes of delivery.

"The Year In Review summarises how the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), with the support of our members, the Government of Guyana, players, fans and corporate Guyana rose to meet the challenges of 2022 by adapting to achieve our football development goals," shared GFF President, Wayne Forde.

The Federation reached key milestones in 2022, including the history-making return to play with the simultaneous launch of the senior men's leagues by regional associations, the amendment of the constitution to bring the GFF in line with the latest FIFA and CONCACAF Statutes, and the empowerment of regional associations so they can decide the best strategies to optimise local goals in order to meet national targets.

Soft copies of the year-in-review have been posted on the GFF social media platforms and shared with our community of stakeholders.

Day one of CWI 2023 West Indies Championship...

Walcott hits unbeaten 87 as Windwards Volcanoes bowled out for 243

World Over-35 Masters Champion, Nicolette Fernandes

GFF president Wayne Forde

Trinidad & Tobago Captain Darren Bravo (left) and Windward Islands Volcanoes Captain Alick Athanaze after the toss