Guyana and the United Kingdom are deepening their longstanding relationship, with renewed emphasis on economic co-operation, infrastructure development and stronger commercial ties. This was underscored on Thursday when Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, met the visiting UK Foreign Secretary, the Rt. Hon. Ed Miliband, for high-level bilateral discussions.
The engagement gave both sides an opportunity to explore areas of mutual interest and to identify further opportunities to strengthen co-operation between the two countries.
As part of the programme, Dr Singh also led a visit to the Terminal 2 construction site at Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), where the delegation received an update on the major infrastructure project’s progress.
Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation Hugh Todd and Minister of Public Utilities and Aviation Deodat Indar also attended the discussions and the site tour.
CJIA Chief Executive Officer Ramesh Ghir accompanied Ministers Singh and Indar during the inspection, while the British delegation included Amy Barklam, His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for Latin America and the Caribbean; UK Export Finance (UKEF) Chief Executive Officer Tim Reid; and British High Commissioner to Guyana Joseph Fisher, together with other officials.
The Terminal 2 development is a significant example of the growing economic partnership between Guyana and Britain. The US$65.5 million undertaking is being financed with support from UK Export Finance and is being built by the British company Mowlem International (UK) Limited, formerly known as BHM Construction International (UK) Limited.
Upon completion, the expanded facilities are expected to substantially increase the airport’s capacity to handle rising passenger traffic and deliver a more efficient, modern travel experience. The project will address congestion in the arrivals area, establish clearer separation between arriving and departing passengers, and ease pressure on departure facilities. It will also provide additional commercial space for duty-free retail outlets, restaurants and other passenger services.
In August 2025, President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali officially launched the construction phase, describing the project as a key element of Guyana’s broader ambition to become a major international aviation and transport hub.
The Head of State emphasised that the airport’s transformation goes beyond building new facilities and forms part of a broader national strategy to strengthen international connectivity, attract investment and develop Guyana’s aviation industry.
The expansion comes against the backdrop of unprecedented growth in visitor arrivals, fuelled by the country’s expanding economy, greater international exposure and ongoing efforts to position Guyana as a leading destination for tourism and business.
During his presentation of the 2026 National Budget, Minister Singh said Guyana welcomed 453,489 visitors in 2025, the highest number of annual arrivals on record.
He explained that growing demand for international travel has made further investment in airport infrastructure essential, particularly as the Government works to modernise CJIA to meet international standards and to strengthen its capacity to serve as a regional transport hub.
The Government is also pursuing plans to improve domestic aviation infrastructure by developing municipal airports and rehabilitating and expanding airstrips serving hinterland communities.
Minister Singh indicated that a new arrivals terminal is also planned during the current term of Government, as part of the continued expansion and modernisation of CJIA.
These initiatives align with the commitments set out in the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) 2025 Manifesto, which identified aviation development as a priority within its broader transport infrastructure programme.
The proposals include building municipal airports at Lethem and Rose Hall/Canje, upgrading hinterland airstrips, and extending runways where necessary.
The manifesto also set out plans to work with private-sector partners to establish an aviation training institution in Guyana. The proposed facility would develop local expertise across the aviation industry, including pilot training and domestic certification.
The UK Foreign Secretary’s participation, along with his delegation, in the CJIA inspection further underscores the importance of Britain’s contribution to Guyana’s infrastructure ambitions and the commercial opportunities arising from the country’s rapid development.
With major investments underway across transport, energy, tourism, and other sectors, the partnership between Georgetown and London continues to provide a platform for expanded trade, technical co-operation, and investment, while supporting Guyana’s ambition to strengthen its position in the regional and international economy.