Guyana and Jamaica today signed several memoranda of understanding (MOUs) at State House in Georgetown, laying the foundation for expanded cooperation across agriculture, security, finance, housing, technology and climate resilience.
The agreements were signed by Guyana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd, and Jamaica’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Kamina Elizabeth Johnson Smith, the Department of Public Information (DPI) reported
The signing marked a key moment in the visit by Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness.
Among the agreements signed was an MOU on cooperation in agriculture that aims to strengthen food and nutrition security while advancing regional agricultural goals.
DPI said that the agreement seeks to establish a strategic partnership between the two countries through institutional development, human resource training, innovation, education, trade facilitation and support for CARICOM’s ‘25 by 2025 plus five’ initiative to reduce the region’s food import bill.
Guyana and Jamaica also signed an MOU on defence and security cooperation to deepen collaboration.
Areas of cooperation include mechanisms for information sharing, bilateral consultations on defence and security policy, and greater coordination in international engagements.
Another major area focused on financial services, with both countries committing to modernising financial systems, strengthening institutions and building capacity across the sector.
President Irfaan Ali described the visit as more than a state engagement, characterising it as an intensive working visit focused on identifying practical outcomes for both countries.
The president said that additional agreements are expected in the near future as collaboration deepens.
In the energy sector, Ali announced that a working group will be set up to examine opportunities for collaboration and identify recommendations that would benefit both countries and the wider region.
He also highlighted Jamaica’s globally recognised achievements in tourism and cultural industries, saying Guyana intends to learn from Jamaica’s experience, DPI reported.
Meanwhile, on financial services, Ali said Jamaica’s mature financial system offers important lessons for Guyana, particularly as Guyana advances plans for a junior stock exchange and greater financial integration.
Security and technology also featured prominently in talks, with President Ali highlighting opportunities for collaboration in cybersecurity, training, data sovereignty and defence education through Guyana’s National Defence Institute.
Speaking after the signing ceremony, Jamaican Prime Minister Holness said the agreements represent only a portion of the broader collaboration in train.
“These are just what we could formalise within the time. The breadth of our exchanges and the potential of our collaboration and cooperation is extensive,” he stated, according to DPI.
Holness noted that discussions between the two sides extended beyond the signed agreements to include energy, tourism, housing, regional diplomacy and public sector modernisation.
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