In a significant move to strengthen international ties and access emerging labor markets, the Bangladesh government has officially approved the establishment of a new diplomatic mission in Georgetown, Guyana. The decision was ratified during the weekly convening of the Council of Advisers, presided over by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at the Chief Adviser’s Office (CAO).
The new mission, which will be staffed at the level of Charge d’Affaires or First Secretary, represents a strategic effort to deepen economic and manpower cooperation between the two nations. Significantly, the diplomatic outpost will be manned by personnel drawn from Bangladesh’s existing embassies and missions abroad, optimizing resource allocation.
This diplomatic expansion is strategically timed to coincide with Guyana’s remarkable economic ascent. Currently ranking among the world’s fastest-growing economies, Guyana reported a staggering economic growth rate of nearly 50 percent last year. This explosive growth has catalyzed a rapid expansion of its labor market, creating a demand for foreign workers that Bangladesh aims to fulfill.
Bangladeshi workers are already engaged in several large-scale infrastructure projects within Guyana, including potable water initiatives. Furthermore, foreign recruiters have previously advertised for Bangladeshi healthcare professionals, specifically nurses, to work in the country.
The Guyanese government has publicly acknowledged a critical labor shortage, stating that its domestic workforce is insufficient to maintain the pace of its economic boom. However, the move has not been without controversy. The opposition party, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), has alleged that the influx of Bangladeshi workers is politically motivated, suggesting they are being brought in to influence upcoming general and regional elections in favor of the ruling People’s Progressive Party Civic.