Dear Editor,
A letter from Mr Reginald Forde captioned “I have the skills and equipment to service BMWs” (07.12.12) suggests that the gentleman’s efforts as an investor in Guyana are being frustrated because of governmental ‘red tape’. Such experiences certainly don’t help Guyana’s efforts to attract investment, in fact they hurt these efforts and even serve to give credence to allegations from some critics that the Jagdeo administration is unhelpful to Afro-Guyanese seeking to invest in the country.
Guyana has been promoting itself as an investor friendly location and the relevant government agencies need to be efficient so that such pronouncements are not merely “lip service”. On the other hand, investors going into the country need to do their research and business planning, including the identification of a suitable site for locating their operations, before shipping in equipment.
According to Mr Forde: “After living in the USA for 25 years I returned with a dream of operating my own shop with the thought of teaching youngsters all about vehicles. I later learnt that there is a lot of red tape and when seeking help there’s nothing but road blocks ” Could Mr Forde say whether he contacted Go-Invest prior to taking the decision to invest in Guyana and if so what assistance, if any, was given to him by that agency?
He says also that his equipment is sitting in a bond waiting for a piece of real estate to get his business started. I assume from this statement that the equipment has already cleared customs and is in his possession. If my assumption is correct, did this equipment benefit from duty free treatment, as I think it should for an investor and a returning Guyanese?
If in fact Mr Forde has gotten duty free treatment for his equipment then this is at least an indication that the government is working to facilitate this investment. He should also qualify for the appropriate tax holiday as an investor but I don’t see how the identification of a suitable location could be caught up in governmental ‘red tape’.
Is it that he has identified locations but these have been refused the requisite permits due to zoning laws? Or has he applied for state land upon which to locate his operations and has not yet received title?
It is indeed mind boggling that such a project which seeks not only to offer a service to Guyanese but expose young technicians to advanced technology would languish for almost a year. Exactly where blame should be placed for such an experience is anyone’s guess but it certainly does not help to inspire confidence in potential investors.
At this point what is necessary is to get this project moving. Mr Forde, you need to choose a location quickly and proceed with your business. Mr Jeff Da Silva at Go-Invest, you need to help Mr Forde with whatever problems he faces, including pointing him to sources of loan financing in Guyana, if funds for the acquisition of real estate is indeed his problem.
As someone who is currently involved in discussions with pot-ential foreign investors for projects in Guyana, it would certainly be helpful to have this project move ahead speedily. It would also be helpful if the resolution of Mr Forde’s problem is publicised -this would serve to inspire confidence in Guyana as an investor friendly location.
Yours faithfully,
Wesley Kirton