Georgetown : The Government of India would like to see offers under the Indian Technical Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme being more utilised, Indian High Commissioner to Guyana Puran Mal Meena said last night celebrating ITEC Day 2013.
Mr . Meena added that his Government would also welcome requests for equipment and other requirements from Guyana. Delivering remarks during the observance at the Aagmaan Restaurant, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds said that he would present the High Commissioner’s request to the Cabinet.
The Prime Minister expressed the Government of Guyana’s appreciation for the support it received from the Indian Government under the ITEC programme. He noted that the ITEC experts have contributed to Guyana’s agricultural diversification, while the recipients of the ITEC scholarships have contributed to the improvement in the socio and economic development of the country.
The Prime Minister said that Guyana welcomes investments through the Indian Line of credit for various projects such as the Guyana National Stadium at Providence and the Specialty Hospital. Reflecting on an Energy seminar he had attended recently in India, PM Hinds pointed to forthcoming cooperation between the two countries in the examination of the production of energy and electricity through bio-mass of agriculture waste.
He expressed the hope that the ITEC programme continues to help facilitate cooperation between the two countries and the development and advancement of Guyana.
ITEC is a longstanding economic bilateral programme of assistance established by the Government of India in 1964 and benefits 161 countries in Asia, Africa, East Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as the Pacific and small islands.
In 2012-13, 25 slots were allotted to Guyana, and among programmes covered were governance of management of non-profit organisations, advanced fingerprint science, auditing and parliamentary internship among others.
Mr Meena noted that the programme which was established by India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru was aimed at aiding the social and technological advancement of partnering developing. He observed that thus far about 400 persons from Guyana and other Caribbean countries have benefitted.
The High Commissioner also noted that other forms of co-operation undertaken under the ITEC programme include education, provision of equipment and of ITEC experts, the latter in the fields of Meteorology, Transmission and Broadcasting, Legal, Disaster Management, Coconut, Spices and Institutional Development.
Scholarships have been granted to Guyanese nationals in the fields of Hydrology, Engineering, Cyber Technology, Management, Education, Agriculture, Horticulture, Banking and Financial Services, Environment Protection, and Public Management among others.
He called for more nominations for accessing the scholarships offered, and pointed out also that more care should be taken regarding filling out the applications, as well selecting adequately qualified persons for the courses offered.
The ITEC event was also attended by Speaker of the National Assembly Raphael Trotman, CARICOM Secretary General Irwin La Rocque, Permanent Secretaries of the various Ministries and members of the diplomatic community.
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