Prime Minister Mark Phillips has met representatives of two Chinese companies which are exploring further investment in Guyana, particularly in road and bridge construction.
A release from the Office of the Prime Minister said Phillips met officials of Shandong Dachi Electric Company Ltd, China National Machinery Import & Export Corporation (CMC) and the Shandong Association of Guyana at his office.
The delegation briefed Phillips on the companies, their operations and ongoing work here. Discussions also examined opportunities for them to expand their business interests and investments in infrastructure.
The release, however, did not identify the companies’ current projects or provide details on any proposed road or bridge investments.
CMC already has a long history in Guyana’s electricity sector.
Stabroek News reported in November last year that Guyana Power and Light Inc had signed a US$35.93 million contract with CMC to strengthen and expand its distribution network. The project entails constructing more than 193 kilometres of distribution feeders, supplying smart distribution equipment and extending infrastructure to underserved areas in Demerara and Berbice.
The Department of Public Information reported in 2017 that CMC, together with China Synergy Electric Engineering Company, had been awarded the contract to execute GPL’s Power Utility Upgrade Programme. The programme included the rehabilitation and expansion of electricity distribution networks in several East Coast Demerara communities.
CMC also laid the 69-kilovolt submarine cable linking GPL’s Vreed-en-Hoop and Kingston substations in 2012. Stabroek News reported that the company returned in 2019 to repair sections of the cable damaged by vessels traversing the Demerara River.
The Office of the Prime Minister’s release provided no background on Shandong Dachi Electric Company’s work in Guyana.
The delegation included Shandong Dachi Electric Company President Zhi-Guo Liu and Marketing Department Director Guo-Zhen Chen.
CMC was represented by Vice-President Zheng-Xiang Zhao, Country Representative Andrew Jin and Commercial Manager Ertao Shi.
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