Following a meeting last week, Brazilian authorities have consented to allow cooking gas to flow to Lethem for the time.

Meantime, at least one business in the border community is in talks with a local supplier to seek ways in which the commodity can be supplied to the border community from Georgetown. Businessman Alfred Ramsaran said that members of the business community and other regional officials met with Brazilian Customs and Federal officials last Thursday during which the cooking gas issue was discussed.

He said that it was agreed that the previous arrangement will obtain for the time being and so they were able to get some cooking gas.
However, he stated, he does not know what will happen in the future.  He said that they were talking with local supplier, Docol to see whether cooking gas can be supplied by them but costs and other factors were still being examined. “That is not yet finalized”, he stated.

Meantime, this newspaper understands that the Brazilian authorities have offered local Customs and Immigration officials space in their Customs building at Bon Fim until the multi-purpose complex at Lethem is ready. Brazilian authorities have already put systems in place for such services on their side but the complex at Lethem is not yet ready.

The meeting also discussed the issue of passports. Both parties agreed to have further meetings to establish a good rapport.