– at Berbice Expo opening
The Central Corentyne Cham-ber of Commerce has been applauded for its contributions to the development of Berbice and other groups were urged to follow suit.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of Berbice Expo and Trade Fair 2009, Private Sector Commission (PSC) Chairman Captain Gerald Gouveia told the gathering he is proud that as the youngest chamber of commerce, Central Corentyne is leading the way in many respects. At only five years old, Gouveia said, the group has made several interventions in Berbice. It has started work on a fire station and rehabilitated the Felix Austin Police College.
He urged other groups to follow Central Corentyne’s example adding that some that had been established for 18 years have not made a comparable contribution.
Gouveia said too government’s role is to “lead the way, open up and let the private sector work” as it cannot build a country alone. He said the private sector works in conjunction with the government and as such it needs to be more “innovative, capable, and responsible.” The PSC chair said the group meets monthly with other groups to discuss ways to work in good partnership. Gouveia also voiced support for President Bharrat Jagdeo’s Low Carbon Development Strategy saying it will bring much long-term gains.
Meanwhile, President of the Central Corentyne Chamber of Commerce Poonai Bhigroog said every year Berbicicans look forward to the Berbice Expo and Trade Fair as it is the county’s biggest annual event in the county. This year’s fair was hosted under the theme ‘Creating Linkages, Building Partnerships, Harnessing Resources’
He said too over the years Berbice Expo has drawn many entrepreneurs from across the country.
Bhigroog said the Central Corentyne chamber also strives to make it bigger and better each year and it goes to great lengths to ensure that both exhibitors and visitors are treated to something new and different. Chairman of the Association of Regional Chambers of Commerce Rohan Marray also said he was pleased by the progress the Central Corentyne chamber has made to development in Berbice.
Additionally, the president noted the development in the county and in Guyana. He said the country’s GDP in 1999 and last year’s are very favourable. Jagdeo noted infrastructural developments such as the Berbice River Bridge and access road, the New Amsterdam to Molsen Creek road, University of Guyana Berbice Campus, Skeldon factory, the ophthalmology centre in Port Mourant and the New Amsterdam Hospital.
He said too $3.2B had been budgeted for Region Six this year and plans are in train to repair the Black Bush Polder Road and to build a deep water harbour in the Berbice River. Jagdeo also said “because of sound management of the country’s economy our people did not feel the full effects of the world financial crisis.”
Meanwhile, several persons at the opening ceremony told this newspaper that the fairs held in the previous years were better. They said more stalls were occupied. According to one patron, in earlier years exhibitors would offer refreshments to patrons but that courtesy was not extended this year, possibly an effect of the harder economic climate. (Adrian Smith)
