Press Release
01 July 2015
Deputy Minister Landers arrives in Trinidad and Tobago upon conclusion of a successful visit to Guyana
International Relations and Cooperation Deputy Minister Luwellyn Landers has today, 01 July 2015, arrived in Trinidad and Tobago after he concluded his successful visit to Guyana. The two countries are amongst five in the Latin America region that Deputy Minister Landers is visiting with a view to strengthening relations for mutual benefit.
While in Trinidad and Tabogo, the Deputy Minister will hold bilateral discussions with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Wilson Dookeren. The Deputy Minister will also participate in a roundtable discussion hosted by the University of West Indies, under the theme: “Emerging Africa in the 21st Century”.
During his visit to Georgetown, Guyana, Deputy Minister Landers held discussions with the Vice President, who is also the Foreign Affairs Minister, Honourable Carl Greenidge. Guyana recently held general and regional elections. The visit by the Deputy Minister is significant in that South Africa is the first country to send a high level delegation to Guyana after the newly elected government. The meeting discussed issues of cooperation between the two countries, mainly trade, mining as well as science and technology. The meeting was concluded with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Political Consultations.
The Deputy Minister also held a meeting with the Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr Barton Scotland, and paid a courtesy call on the Assistant Secretary General of Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Dr Collin Granderson. Guyana hosts the headquarters of CARICOM. During the meeting, the Deputy Minister and his hosts discussed a range of matters of mutual interest and concern, including developments in Latin America and Africa
The Republic of South Africa and the Cooperative Republic of Guyana established diplomatic relations in 1994. The Guyanese economy exhibited moderate economic growth in recent years and is based largely on agriculture and extract industries. The economy is heavily dependent upon the export of six commodities, namely sugar, gold, bauxite, shrimp, timber and rice – which represents nearly 60% of the country’s GDP.
The Deputy Minister concluded his visit with a courtesy call to the President, His Excellency Brigadier David Grander.
Enquiries: Mr Clayson Monyela, 082 884 5974
ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION
OR Tambo Building
460 Soutpansberg Road
Rietondale
Pretoria
0084
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