Jagdeo, Bharrat

Jagdeo, Bharrat

(bä`rät jäg`dāō), 1964–, Guyanese political leader, grad. Friendship Univ., Moscow, 1990. An economist and a member of the People's Progressive party, he served minister of finance (1995–99), helping to institute a strong debt relief program for the country. Briefly prime minister (1999), Jagdeo succeeded Janet Jagan (see under Jagan, CheddiJagan, Cheddi
, 1918–97, prime minister of British Guiana (1961–64) and president (1992–97) of independent Guyana. Of Asian Indian descent, he was trained at Northwestern Univ., Chicago, Ill. as a dentist.
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) as president of Guyana, serving two terms (1999–2011). During his tenure as president, Guyana experienced strong economic growth, and undertook to increase educational opportunities and improve its infrastructure. Since leaving office, he has become an advocate for sustainable development and environmental protection.