Guyana cannot develop as fast and efficient as possible without return of sons abroad- Foreign Secretary

By Abena Rockcliffe

For decades, the lack of financial resources was one of the main things affecting the infrastructural development of Guyana and the prosperity of its people. Now that financial constraints are rapidly becoming a thing of the past, a major roadlock on the country’s path towards sustainable development is the lack of human resources.

Over the years, when the country had a less than desirable economy, many Guyanese went abroad in search of a better life. Now, even though the prospects are there, very few are taking up the opportunity to return home.

Armed with the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030, which is its overarching development plan, the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) government believes that it can truly transform the country. But, even with such a plan that has been regarded as top tier, the lack of human resources will remain a spoke in the country’s wheels of development.

This was highlighted by Foreign Secretary, Robert Persaud as he responded to questions at the ongoing La Jolla Energy Conference in San Diego, California.

Persaud told the conference that Guyana has a severe human resource deficit, somewhere in the excess of 100,000.

Persaud noted that around 500,000 Guyanese reside across the United States, forming a diaspora which is considered to be the largest,  followed by Canada. He noted however that Guyanese can be found “everywhere” including Europe, Middle East and definitely the Caribbean.

Persaud said that as a policy over the years, the government has encouraged Guyanese to return home. More-so, he said, with the transformational economic activities taking place in Guyana, “ We have seen the diaspora as an important resource that needs to be tapped into, both for human capital and investment.”

Persaud said that the PPP/C Government has been aggressive in engaging those abroad and partnering with a number of stakeholders including ExxonMobil.

He noted that the LCDS 2030 mandates a diversification of the economy and so the government has not only been focusing on oil and gas development.

He said, “We had growth in the service sector and construction sector and the knowledge-based sector. We are also expanding and improving health care and education.” He said the prospects are endless.

Persaud also stressed, “The deficit of human resources limits our ability to move as fast as we can and do the things (needed) to fulfill the 2030 vision we have.” He said that naturally, the first group we turn to has to be the global diaspora.

Zeroing in on the US diaspora, Persaud said that group is also important in defining the strategic relationship Guyana has with the United  States.

He added, “The US is Guyana’s largest trading partner and foreign direct investor. There are about 3000 small to medium enterprises from the US that support particularly the oil and gas sector in Guyana.

“We have been looking at ways to use that growing economic interaction as a way to motivate and stimulate the diaspora.”