Finance Minister welcomes and engages in bilateral talks with visiting UK Foreign Secretary

As Guyana and the United Kingdom’s partnership continues to evolve and strengthen, Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh today welcomed and engaged in productive bilateral discussions with visiting UK Foreign Secretary, the Rt. Hon. Ed Miliband. The meeting focused on advancing strategic cooperation and deepening the longstanding partnership between Guyana and the UK. Prior to the discussions, the minister conducted a site visit of the new Terminal 2 currently under construction at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA). During the engagements the finance minister was joined by Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Hugh Todd and Minister of Public Utilities and Aviation, Deodat Indar. Meanwhile. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of CJIA, Ramesh Ghir accompanied Ministers Singh and Indar on the tour of the terminal while the UK Foreign Secretary was accompanied by Amy Barklam, His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for Latin America and the Caribbean, UKEF (UK Export Finance) CEO Tim Reid, British High Commissioner to Guyana Joseph Fisher and others. 

The construction of Terminal 2, supported by UKEF and being undertaken by United Kingdom (UK) firm Mowlem International (UK) Limited (formerly BHM Construction International (UK Limited), exemplifies the strong commercial relationship between Guyana and UK. When completed, the new and upgraded Terminal facilities would further enhance Guyana’s tourism, trade and investment landscape. 

The US$65.5 million project will alleviate arrival congestion for passenger processing, separate arriving and departing passengers, reduce departure congestion and provide additional space for duty-free shops, restaurants and other services and amenities.

In August 2025, President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali turned the sod for the modern terminal, which he highlighted marks the beginning of a larger vision to transform Guyana into a global aviation hub. The President had also indicated that the modernisation project is not just about infrastructure, but forms part of a larger aim to build a global aviation community.

In his 2026 Budget speech in the National Assembly, Minister Singh noted that Guyana’s extraordinary rate of economic growth, the increasing visibility of our country worldwide, and government’s work in promoting the country as an attractive tourist destination have occasioned an unprecedented level of visitor arrivals for both business and pleasure, resulting in the need to expand CJIA. Total visitor arrivals in Guyana amounted to 453,489 in 2025 – the highest level ever recorded.

Minister Singh further remarked that, “Looking forward, within this term, Government will construct a new arrivals terminal at the CJIA, as we continue its modernisation to meet international standards and position it to become a regional transport hub with in-transit capabilities,” 

“This has driven the need to expand the CJIA, establish new municipal airports, and upgrade our hinterland airstrips as we strive to continue our ambitious programme to improve national and international air connectivity”.  

Meanwhile, in its 2025 Manifesto, under the broader area of transport infrastructure, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) had outlined air transport and the aviation sector plans that entailed the building of a new terminal at CJIA and municipal airports at Lethem and Rose Hall/Canje, as well as upgrading of hinterland airstrips and extending of runways where appropriate. The PPP/C had also promised in its Manifesto to collaborate with the private sector to establish an aviation school in Guyana, with capability to train personnel across all areas of aviation, including the capacity to train and certify pilots domestically.      

The visit and tour by the British Foreign Secretary and team serve as an important reminder of the UK’s support for Guyana’s development and our growing diplomatic ties and partnership.