CASTRIES, St. Lucia, February 23, 2024 - In a significant speech to the St. Lucia House of Assembly commemorating the island nation's 45th year of independence, Guyana's President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali pledged his country's support for St. Lucia in enhancing its housing sector and agricultural production capabilities.
During his address, President Ali highlighted Guyana's achievements in housing development over the past three years as a model of what could be achieved through cooperation between the two countries.
He proposed a partnership aimed at addressing St. Lucia's housing shortage and boosting its agricultural output, suggesting that such collaboration aligns with the regional trend of seeking local solutions for food and housing needs.
President Ali provided trade statistics to underline the longstanding economic relationship between Guyana and St. Lucia, noting over US $140 million in trade transactions between the two nations in the last decade.
He emphasized the potential for this relationship to grow, particularly through investment in St. Lucia's housing market, where Guyana could significantly contribute to reducing the housing deficit estimated at 2,500 homes in the next three to five years.
The Guyanese leader also shared insights into his country's ambitious housing initiative, which aims to distribute 50,000 house lots within five years.
With more than 30,000 families already benefiting from this program, Guyana's approach includes building homes for low-income families and young professionals, subsidized construction materials, and favorable mortgage rates, showcasing a robust model for housing development.
Beyond housing, President Ali called for deeper systemic integration between Guyana and St. Lucia, encompassing education, healthcare, and technology.
He argued that such connectivity extends beyond physical infrastructure to include the sharing of ideas, policies, and systems integration, essential for achieving a unified regional framework.
Addressing food security, President Ali pointed to St. Lucia's significant food import bill and proposed the development of local production systems, including shade houses and hydroponics, to reduce reliance on imports.
He cited Guyana's success in transforming agriculture through technology, research, and the inclusion of women and youth, suggesting a similar path for St. Lucia to not only meet its food needs but also to position itself as a distribution hub in the region.
In conclusion, President Ali's speech underscored the importance of collaborative efforts in housing, agriculture, and systemic integration to overcome regional challenges and promote sustainable development, marking a forward-looking approach to Guyana-St. Lucia relations on the occasion of St. Lucia's 45th independence anniversary.
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