– launch date to be set
A new daily newspaper is to become a reality some time in the near term as part of the US$30 million investment being undertaken by Queens Atlantic Invest-ment Inc (QAII), Industrial Site Ruim-veldt, where Sanata Textiles used to be.
Chairman and Managing Director of New GPC Inc, Dr Ranjisinghi Ramroop, of which QAII is the parent company, made the disclosure to this newspaper yesterday. Word of this development has been circulating since the beginning of the year. “There has been no date for the launch of the newspaper yet, but people have been hired for training in the use of the machines [and for the art department],” he said.
Dr Ramroop said the Board of the Directors of QAII is at the moment deciding on the format and content of the newspaper and when exactly it will be launched. “We are examining all the issues and concepts involved,” Dr Ramroop said.
However, he said, in the meanwhile, the company is recruiting staff, including graphic artists, press persons and others needed for the venture. He confirmed also that editorial staff – both local and overseas — have been interviewed.
Still very guarded on the details of the paper, Dr Ramroop indicated that the publication should be somewhat different from the current newspapers being printed in Guyana but said that the quality will be very high. However he wouldn’t disclose the name of the publication as yet.
QAII has imported a state-of-the-art offset press with web attachments and it is capable of printing all books, brochures, magazines, news-letters and newspapers. He said that the press will be available for commercial printing of other publications as well.
The complex will also have a flexographic printing press for the printing of any kind of label for food, in any material. The company will also be manufacturing packages for food and beverages.
He said that the venture will help the New GPC since in the past, that company has had to have its labels printed overseas at great cost. He said that the printing capabilities offered by QAII will help to develop the manufacturing base of the country while providing employment.
QAII’s financing for the investment project comes from shareholders of the company and from commercial banks. In addition to the newspaper and printing section of the project, it includes textile printing and dying, the manufacture of medicated gauze and bandages and a facility for research and development for pharmaceuticals.
