Political leadership has failed the business community presidential candidate Khemraj Ramjattan said yesterday, pledging that new policies under an AFC-led government will see an end to the suffocating of the entrepreneur class.
The business climate in Guyana has been mired in a web of failed leadership, corruption, nepotism, red tape and “plain arrogance in officialdom”, Ramjattan said as he addressed the business community during a luncheon sponsored by the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association Ltd (GMSA).
Often fiery in his criticisms of the current state of affairs, a more restrained Ramjattan spoke of the Alliance For Change’s plans to transform the business landscape in the country and the existing approach to wealth creation. But the AFC candidate probably gauged his audience well, because after he wrapped up his presentation the business leaders seated in the room at the Pegasus Hotel hardly had any questions to put to him.
Ramjattan’s message was presented before a fairly-packed room and many paid rapt attention as he spoke. However, only three questions came from the floor. The GMSA has planned similar luncheons with the presidential candidates of the ruling and main opposition parties; the PNCR’s David Granger is scheduled to address the business community on May 11 and the PPP/C’s Donald Ramotar on May 25. According to the GMSA, the order of the line-up was determined based on the responses they received from the respective parties. Ramjattan, supported by party leader, Raphael Trotman and his running mate, Sheila Holder among other party executives focused on improving the conditions here for business while stressing the need for reconciliation, “unity and harmony” as the country aggressively pursues development.
The AFC supports a business approach which is private sector-led and state facilitated, he said, noting the business community as a collective must be integrated into the decision-making process at the very highest level. “Guyana has to do better. Icons of industry must be respected and not disrespected like we’ve seen in relation to an incident involving icon, Yesu Persaud,” Ramjattan said.
He argued that the country must not only learn the new market-driven approaches to services and to industry, but also unlearn the stifling regimentation of what prevailed over the past few decades. He acknowledged there had been some moves to advance the private sector, but stressed that “they have not been quick enough.
“Guyana has to do better. We understand the challenges that will face the maturing of a robust private sector.”
The AFC is committed to the process, he added, and pointed to the need for a more secure environment for doing business in the country. According to him, the crime-riddled environment where business people are robbed and/or unfortunately killed daily is not conducive.
Improving
conditions
Conditions in the country generally need to improve in the push for development, Ramjattan said. He pointed to the Guyana Police Force saying it needs an infusion of professionalism and an appreciation of human rights, in addition to better working conditions.
Commercial transactions ought to be resolved in a timely manner, he observed, noting that the judiciary would benefit from the full complement of staff to execute its duties. “The AFC believes that there is a fundamental nexus between the rule of law and the development,” he noted.
In addition, he said progress will be accelerated if the University of Guyana and other technical and vocational institutes produce “better and more relevantly educated graduates”. He underscored the need to restructure UG to aid in the country’s development needs.
There is a need for more Business, Science, Mathematics and Technology graduates from the university, he continued, adding that products of UG must at the end of their graduate years, “develop better critical thinking, cross- cultural understanding and the range of language skills, especially Spanish and Portuguese”.
Ramjattan also reiterated his party’s position on VAT and briefly shared its views on the issue of smuggling and the Amaila Falls hydropower project, in addition to pointing to the need for cutting the cost of borrowing.
Corruption
Managing Director of the Pegasus Hotel, Robert Badal questioned Ramjattan on the AFC’s approach to corruption in government, particularly in the light of the perceptions of widespread corruption. Specifically, Badal was interested in how the presidential candidate feels about the treatment meted out to some business individuals who find themselves isolated and facing abuse when they speak out.
Ramjattan stressed his party’s no-nonsense approach to corruption and pointed to its ongoing struggles to highlight corruption in government. He also mentioned the party’s representation in parliament.
Businessman Gerry Gouveia posed a question on the party’s strategy as it relates to security in the country. To this, Ramjattan restated the need for a more professional police force and emphasised that his party intends to seek international assistance in reforming the security services. He argued that the lack of implementation of recommendations for the security sector has contributed to the problems facing the security sector.
Chairman of the Demerara Distillers Group of Companies Yesu Persaud sought to ascertain what the AFC intends to do with respect to the executive presidency while arguing that there is no need for a president whether executive or otherwise. Ramjattan said the party’s position has always been to remove the executive presidency.
Ramjattan said too that the party supports the prime ministerial system, adding it also intends to remove the immunities afforded to the president. “We will also strengthen weaknesses in the Bill of Rights,” he added.
