Georgetown, GINA, November 20, 2008

The initiative which started 44 years ago by the Government of India to establish a programme of technical and economic cooperation has enabled a significant number of Guyanese to gain expertise in various career fields.
            The Indian Technical and Economic Co-operation (ITEC) programme was launched in September 1964 as a bilateral programme whereby, countries in the developing world would be given the opportunity to visit India and benefit from the various empowerment programmes offered. Currently 156 countries are benefitting from the programme.

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds addresses those gathered at the National Cultural Centre, at the evening of song and dance to mark ITEC day

Over 500 Guyanese have gained scholarships in several fields including culture, agriculture, Information Technology (IT) and health.
The Public Service Ministry which administers the programme locally has begun a process of monitoring and evaluation of beneficiaries to determine their level of contribution to Guyana.
Minister of Public Service Dr. Jennifer Westford reported that the results have been surprising since about 99 percent of those trained have been giving their services to Guyana. 
“We are seeing quality improvements within our services and I must say congratulations to the Government and people of India… You are surely making us work better and making Guyanese enjoy better services from the Public Service and the private sector,” Minister Westford said.

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds and other Government Ministers among the gathering at the evening of song and dance held at the National Cultural Centre, on the occasion of Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) day

She made these remarks during ITEC’s anniversary programme which was commemorated by an evening of dance and music at the National Cultural Centre (NCC). The event organised by the Indian High Commission featured performances by dancers and musicians from the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha, the Guyana Police Force Band, Indian Arrival Committee and Indian Cultural Centre.
Among those present were Indian High Commissioner to Guyana Subit Kumar Mandal and members of the diplomatic community.
One of the highlights of the event was a Kathak dance done by Kenrick Cheeks, a beneficiary of the ITEC programme who gained a Kathak dancing scholarship.
The Prime Minister recognises the programme as a tangible example of South-South co-operation noting that Guyana’s development programme has benefited from the wide range of expertise provided by the progamme.
“The Government of Guyana is appreciative of the Government of India to increase the number of slots available to Guyana and I wish to assure you that every effort will be made to take full advantage of this extended facility,” the Prime Minister said.

Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha’s students perform a folk dance 

The Indian High Commissioner said that while the Guyana Government is thankful for being a beneficiary of the programme, the Indian Government is also filled with the same gratitude for making the ITEC programme in Guyana successful.
He commended Guyanese ITEC beneficiaries who have made significant contributions to the promotion of the Guyana /India relations.
Representative of the ITEC association in Guyana Irfaan Ally said that India must be commended for this ‘gesture of friendship, goodwill and interest, and cultural fusion, which has been promoted through the ITEC programme.
“India’s contribution to global development dates back to as long as recorded history. We must remember that we were trained in a country and by people who invented the numerical system, established the art of navigation and the game of chess,” Ally said.