CDB President’s Productive Visit to Guyana Concludes
Today marked the end of a fruitful three-day visit to Guyana by Mr. Daniel Best, the newly appointed President of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB). His visit involved extensive discussions with the Government and included a meeting with President Irfaan Ali this morning.
Yesterday, Mr. Best and his team joined President Ali and other government officials on a tour of various project sites in Region Two (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara). During this excursion, two educational facilities were inaugurated: the Exceptional Learners’ Centre, a special education school located in Cotton Field, and the new Onderneeming Primary School. These institutions exemplify the collaborative developmental efforts between the Government and the CDB.
Expressing his enthusiasm at the forum, Mr. Best stated that his heart was full as he celebrated the opening of the two schools. He highlighted the significance of the new learning centre for children with special needs, emphasizing that education is a fundamental right and a major achievement for the Government of Guyana.
Prior to the school openings, Minister Dr. Ashni Singh and his team from the Ministry of Finance met with Mr. Best on Tuesday to discuss the potential for further collaboration on developmental projects as Guyana pursues its ambitious development agenda. The meeting also reviewed the status of ongoing projects, including the Linden to Mabura Road and the Hospitality and Tourism Training Institute at Port Mourant, Berbice.
During this meeting, Dr. Singh welcomed Mr. Best and his team on behalf of President Ali, congratulating him on his new role. He expressed gratitude for the CDB’s steadfast commitment to a developmental partnership with Guyana, noting that this was Mr. Best’s first visit since his appointment. Dr. Singh acknowledged the historical ties between Guyana and the CDB, highlighting Guyana’s status as a founding member of the bank.
“As we navigate this transformative period in Guyana’s economic history, we look forward to an evolving relationship with the CDB,†Dr. Singh remarked. He reaffirmed the country’s commitment as active shareholders in the Bank and anticipated continued support from the CDB.
In response, Mr. Best explained that Guyana was his first stop as CDB President due to the country’s unique portfolio, which showcases a diverse range of projects and reflects the promising trajectory of its economy. He recognized Guyana’s role as a steadfast ally in the Caribbean and expressed optimism about the future of their collaboration, noting that this is a time filled with opportunities.
The primary goal of Mr. Best’s visit was to reinforce the CDB’s commitment to Guyana and explore avenues for expanding their partnership in achieving national development objectives. The visit also facilitated dialogue on the Government’s economic priorities and how the CDB can continue to support these initiatives through its lending and assistance programs.
