For much of this year the Guyana Manufacturers and Services Association (GMSA) has sought to maintain a high profile and this newspaper has been engaging the association at the level of its President, Mr Clinton Williams, in an effort to secure information on its activities. Not that the creation of a sense of business can necessarily be equated with productive pursuits but in the case of the GMSA and Mr Williams there is some evidence that the high profile has borne some fruit. Some weeks ago we reported on the efforts of the GMSA President to involve the local construction and other sectors in the rebuilding process currently underway in Haiti and while he did concede to us that he was encountering some hurdles, even frustrations in his efforts, we note that at least ten local businesses have now indicated an interest in going to Haiti. In this context, we await information of the names of all of the ten enterprises so that we can engage at least some of them on what we consider to be an interesting and potentially worthwhile venture.
The point that we wish to make, however, is that the success of the GMSA, and, specifically, Mr Williams in realising the involvement of local firms in the Haiti reconstruction programme is the kind of exercise which, apart from literally finding jobs for firms with construction and other related skills, allows those firms to work elsewhere in the region and, in the process to explore a much wider market for their skills. Working in Haiti will also enable local firms to collaborate with other regional entities, a pursuit that could augur well for regional collaboration and job-sharing in other parts of the Caribbean. If indeed the firms that have indicated a preparedness to go to Haiti do eventually end up there that would be a solid and significant contribution for them and for the GMSA.
We have learnt too of the recent engagements between the GMSA and its members in the agro-processing sector one outcome of which has been the selection of five of those to attend a trade exposition in Canada in May. Again, the opportunity afforded by the participation of local agro processors in the Canada event opens up possibilities for new markets to say nothing of the likelihood of exposure to new technology and packaging and marketing techniques (two elements with which parts our manufacturing sector have been struggling for years) which, on the whole can help to grow their businesses. The other point to be made about the Canada venture is that small enterprises which, as a general rule, receive fewer opportunities of this nature are being allowed to showcase their goods on an international stage.
Here again, the efforts of the GMSA have resulted in something meaningful, at the very least, an opportunity out of which a considerable degree of benefit can be derived for the participating entities and for the agro-processing sector as a whole.
Local private sector organizations are often inclined to become more than a trifle ‘testy’ when public comments are made about what, sometimes, is a lacklustre posture. There is, for example, the sore point about the role which such organizations can play in more generously embracing struggling small businesses, not necessarily by offering them membership but by lending their business experience to helping those smaller ventures grow. We believe too that the established private sector entities can play an important role in advising and helping to better organize the vending community which, after all and even if only on account of its size, has to be acknowledged as a legitimate part of the business community.
In this context we acknowledge that local private sector entities are often preoccupied with their own agenda which includes issues like their involvement with the National Competitiveness Council and their engagements with state entities on issues like tax reform and the movement of goods through what is often a thoroughly frustrating customs process. That, however, ought not to excuse their inattention to other issues that concern the growth and development of the total business community.
Among the members of the GMSA are numerous small businesses in the agro-processing sector and when initiatives are taken by the Association such as those which we earlier mentioned they are deserving of commendation. Take a bow, GMSA!
