WB Director Meets President Jagdeo to Discuss Guyana’s Response to Global Financial Crisis

GEORGETOWN, February 25, 2009-- Yvonne Tsikata, World Bank Director for the Caribbean met with President Bharrat Jagdeo today to discuss Guyana's response to the global financial crisis and the World Bank's support.

“I had an excellent meeting with President Jagdeo…we also discussed the World Bank’s next Country Assistance Strategy and got some guidance from the President on the areas of focus that he would like to see us engaged on,” said Tsikata.

She noted that these are the areas that the government has identified as priorities and include environmental management and climate change, as well as quality of education and social protection. The upcoming Country Assistance Strategy will cover a three year-period (2009-2012).

The World Bank has funded several significant programs in Guyana including the HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control project (US$10 million), the Water Sector Consolidation Project (US$11.3 million), the Education for All Fast Track Initiative (US$45 million), and the Conservancy Adaptation Project (US$3.8 million).