The Government of Canada says Prime Minister Mark Carney met with Guyana President Mohamed Irfaan Ali in Toronto on Friday, where both leaders underscored the strong relationship between the two countries.
In a statement, the Canadian government said the relationship is reinforced by more than 100,000 Canadians of Guyanese ancestry.
It also described Guyana as one of Canada’s largest trading partners within the Caribbean Community.
“The leaders discussed Canada’s role as a reliable trade and investment partner, and opportunities to increase Canadian investment in Guyana in a range of sectors, including energy, technology, agriculture, and mining,” the statement said.
According to the Canadian government, Carney also conveyed best wishes for the Canada-Guyana Chamber of Commerce’s Business Forum currently taking place in Toronto to mark Guyana’s 60th anniversary of independence and diplomatic relations with Canada.
“The prime minister looks forward to visiting Guyana in the future,” the statement added. “The prime minister and the president agreed to remain in close contact.”
The Canadian government said the two countries enjoy a close relationship built on more than 50 years of people-to-people ties, trade connections, development cooperation and security partnerships.
Canada opened its High Commission in Georgetown in March 1964 and formally established diplomatic relations with Guyana following the country’s independence in May 1966.
“There is a vibrant Diaspora with close to 100,000 Canadian-Guyanese citizens who call Canada home,” the statement said.
It added that educational ties continue to strengthen relations between the two countries, with hundreds of Guyanese students choosing to study in Canada each year.
The Canadian government also noted that Canada continues to support capacity-building efforts in Guyana through technical assistance provided by Canadian experts to various institutions.
Guyana is represented in Canada through the High Commission of Guyana in Ottawa and a consulate in Toronto.
