Press Release
Banks DIH Limited
Date: September 25, 2014
Mr. Clifford Reis C.C.H., Chairman and Managing Director of Banks DIH Limited was conferred as Commander of the Royal Order of the Polar Star –a Swedish national award by His Majesty King Carl Gustaf and the Government of Sweden for his dedicated service during his tenure as Sweden’s Honorary Consul in Guyana at a ceremony held on Wednesday 24th September 2014 at Thirst Park.
Mr. Reis retired as Honorary Consul of Sweden after 20 years of dedicated service. The new Honorary Consul is Mr. Mohamed Shabir Hussain, Engineering Services Director of Banks DIH Limited who was also accredited at the ceremony which was attended by Acting President Samuel Hinds, members of the diplomatic Corp, honorary consuls and business leaders.
Sweden’s non-resident Ambassador to the Caribbean His Excellency Claes Hammar, who conferred the award on behalf of King Gustav said that Mr. Reis acted always in the best interests of the government and people of Sweden throughout the years.
The Stockholm-based diplomat said: “Mr. Reis has been one of the longest serving Honorary Consuls in the Caribbean. He has given humane service to the people of Sweden and we are honouring him with the conferring of the Commander of the Royal Order of the Polar Star at his Majesty’s Command.”
Mr. Reis thanked the government of Sweden for conferring the honour on him. In his brief remarks, Mr. Reis stated that when he accepted the position of Honorary Consul he never envisaged that he would have received such an honour.
He offered congratulations to Mr. Hussain who also received his instrument of accreditation from Ambassador Hammar and assured the Swedish Ambassador that the interest of the government and people of Sweden Consulate will remain in good hands.
Mr. Hussain thanked the governments of Guyana and Sweden for accepting his nomination and promised to discharge his duties with a passion for success.
Acting President Samuel Hinds expressed appreciation to the government and people of Sweden for the assistance offered especially in the area of maritime education to Guyanese students.
Mr. Mohamed Shabir Hussain, Mr. Clifford Reis, Acting President Samuel Hinds and Swedish Ambassador Claes Hammar