PM Modi agrees to fund road & ferry projects in Guyana

In a series of bilateral meetings held on the sidelines of 13th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas at Gandhinagar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday agreed to provide USD 50 million of fund a road project in Guyana. He also agreed to provide “concessional credit” to supply a passenger ferry to help Guyana overcome transportation problems.

Modi in his meeting with President of Guyana Donald R Ramotar said that India would set up it’s first IT Centre of Excellence on the South American Continent, in Guyana.

India also approved a new Line of Credit (LOC) of USD 50 million for the East Bank Demerara-East Coast Road Link Project and agreed to concessional credit to supply a passenger ferry to help Guyana overcome transportation problems,” said an MEA spokesperson, Syed Akbaruddin.

He said that Guyana has been added to the list of 43 existing countries whose nationals are getting tourist visas on-arrival. “Guyana will be the 44th country,” the official said.

During his meeting with foreign minister of South Africa, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, the prime minister largely talked about furthering cultural and economic ties, including enhanced cooperation in deep-mining and infrastructure projects.

Modi also held a meeting with Vice-Prime Minister of Mauritius, Showkatally Soodhun where the PM was invited to visit Mauritius. Both sides expressed keenness to enhance cooperation in infrastructure projects and matters related to ocean economy.

Meanwhile, President of Guyana Donald R Ramotar will be among the 15 NRIs who will be given the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award this year.