Dear Editor,
The unscrupulous business practices and forestry pillage in some third world countries have been well known for years.
Ms. Samantha Griffin in her letter captioned “Some of Guyana’s timber is now gaining international recognition.” (06.12.30) stated:
“Mr. Kowlessar has now extended his criticism to countries such as Malaysia, Gabon, Ghana, Papua New Guinea and Myanmar stating that three of these (Companies) are notorious for transfer pricing. The Governments of these countries would be happy to have this “very useful information” from Mr. Mahadeo Kowlessar. He may even be able to assist them in their economic analyses with regards to transfer pricing.”
“Mr Kowlessar can continue to delude himself but it is my hope that the nation at large is vigilant enough to recognize the mischief makers amongst us who attempt to use the power of the media to wield non-factual information and sheer assumptions. I hereby reiterate that I stand firmly by my analyses of transfer pricing especially in light of the lack of any convincing evidence (inclusive of Mr. Kowlessar’s attempt), in this area.”
Perhaps the Guyanese people can judge for themselves what the truth is.
The international forestry researcher, Dr Marcus Colchester (Guyana Fragile Frontier – Loggers, Miners, and Forest Peoples, Pub 1997) states (page 107):
“Malaysia’s foremost environmental organization, Sahabat Alam Malaysia, in a letter to the Guyanese President dated 19th August 1994, urged Dr Jagan to maintain the freeze on concession hand-outs. ” We are indeed shocked to hear that many of the companies seeking concessions in Guyana are the same responsible for destructive logging and illegal business practices in several South – East Asian Countries, including Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Soloman Islands, and Vanuatu