Talks on deepening strategic cooperation between Guyana and the United Kingdom were held on Thursday alongside a tour of the UK-backed US$65.5 million Terminal 2 project at Cheddi Jagan International Airport.

Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance Dr Ashni Singh welcomed visiting UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband for bilateral discussions on advancing the longstanding partnership between both countries. Singh was joined by Foreign Affairs Minister Hugh Todd and Public Utilities and Aviation Minister Deodat Indar.

Before the talks, Singh and Indar toured the terminal site with Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) Chief Executive Officer Ramesh Ghir. Miliband was accompanied by His Majesty's Trade Commissioner for Latin America and the Caribbean Amy Barklam, UK Export Finance (UKEF) Chief Executive Officer Tim Reid, British High Commissioner to Guyana Joseph Fisher and others.

Terminal 2 is supported by UKEF and is being built by UK firm Mowlem International (UK) Limited, formerly BHM Construction International (UK) Limited. Once completed, the project will ease arrival congestion, separate arriving and departing passengers, reduce departure congestion and add space for duty-free shops, restaurants and other amenities.

The project follows a ground-breaking ceremony in August 2025, when President Dr Irfaan Ali turned the sod and described the terminal as the start of a larger vision to make Guyana a global aviation hub.

The expansion also comes as visitor numbers climb. Total arrivals reached 453,489 in 2025, the highest level ever recorded. In his 2026 Budget speech, Singh said the country's rapid economic growth and promotion as a tourist destination had produced unprecedented visitor numbers, creating the need to expand CJIA.

“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,” the minister said.

He added that the growth had also driven plans for wider improvements.

“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.”