Guyana and St. Kitts and Nevis to sign deals on development, energy, and diaspora engagement

Guyana and Saint Kitts and Nevis are set to strengthen their bilateral partnership through a series of Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) covering food security, energy, education, healthcare, security, and technology. The agreements will be formalised during an upcoming state visit by Prime Minister Terrence Drew to Guyana.

The announcement came from President Mohamed Irfaan Ali while engaging members of the Guyanese diaspora on the sidelines of the 50th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM.

“…The historic relationship of our two countries must now take deeper roots and greater structure,” President Ali said, noting that both governments “have decided that we will have an official development framework grounded in a number of MOUs.”

The agreements will cover the seamless movement of goods and services between both nations, with a focus on food and energy security. President Ali highlighted Guyana’s efforts to position itself as a regional agricultural supplier, leveraging its arable lands and freshwater resources, while ensuring energy security through regional LPG and energy initiatives.

Healthcare cooperation will include access to Guyana’s expanding network of facilities, including six new regional hospitals, an oncology centre, and a Level Five Paediatric and Maternal Hospital. Two additional Level Five hospitals are planned, alongside new nursing schools aligned with global certification standards. Many of these healthcare initiatives will be accessible to the wider Caribbean through digital platforms.

Education, now free at all levels in Guyana, will also form part of the collaboration, with scholarships and programmes available to diaspora members and their children.

In security and defence, Guyana will expand training opportunities for the military and police, with dedicated seats at the country’s internationally accredited police academy reserved for citizens of St. Kitts and Nevis. The Guyana Defence Force is also developing a commercial wing aimed at supporting national and regional supply chains, including trade in food and agricultural produce, with St. Kitts and Nevis among the first partners for collaboration.

President Ali also addressed diaspora concerns regarding passport renewals, documentation, and land issues, announcing that a special team could be sent to St. Kitts and Nevis to resolve processing backlogs. He encouraged diaspora members to actively reintegrate into Guyana’s economy.

Prime Minister Drew confirmed that he will lead a delegation to Guyana within weeks to formalise approximately seven areas of cooperation under the MOUs. He also outlined St. Kitts and Nevis’ progressive immigration approach, including three amnesties to regularise residency and ongoing efforts to accelerate citizenship processes.

Both leaders emphasised regional unity and the importance of facilitating travel and participation for diaspora communities in new economic opportunities.

Joining President Ali during the diaspora engagement was Minister of Public Service, Government Efficiency and Implementation, Zulfikar Ally.