Regularising of the `backtrack’ route between Guyana and Suriname and boosting security along the frontier were among the issues raised by the Berbice business community at a meeting on Sunday with President Donald Ramotar.
The Government Information Agency said that Ramotar met with members of the Chambers of commerce at their annual general meeting (AGM).
He and members of the government interacted with members of the Berbice Chamber of Commerce and Development Association (BCCDA), Upper Corentyne Chamber of Commerce and Industry (UCCI) and the Central Corentyne Chamber of Commerce (CCCC).
Ramotar in his address to the gathering assured members of the Chambers of the government’s commitment to doing all that is required to eliminate the bottlenecks that are hindering the development of the business community in the region.
He said that business in Guyana is being done in the face of very challenging international circumstances and he alluded to the economic turmoil being experienced in countries around the world including Spain, Portugal, Greece and other nations in Europe.
According to GINA, the unstable economic situations in such countries have consequential effects on the local economy and he alluded to the EU price cut on sugar.
Ramotar explained that the sugar industry is currently in the process of reorganisation and retooling, a task to which the PPP/C administration remains committed, recognising the importance of the industry to Guyana’s economy.
“This challenging situation means therefore that we have to be more efficient and more focused on many of the things that we do to maximize our benefits here…Government has been working hard to try to create the necessary enabling conditions to make doing business in Guyana easier,” the President said.
GINA stated that against this backdrop, the administration’s entire social programme is designed to boost the business sector; creating jobs and generating wealth, while at the same time improving the services offered.
The meeting with the president was aimed at bringing to the fore matters that are affecting the business community as well as to make recommendations on the way forward. Among the problems raised were the need for fire hydrants, streetlights, modern sporting facilities, improved security arrangements at the Guyana-Suriname border, and regularisation of the backtrack route among others.
Ramotar also said that focus is also being placed on issues such as taxation; this saw the reduction of the corporation tax in 2011 which enabled many companies to retool. He said that businesses have to take full advantage of the benefits that accrue from the use of cutting edge technology in order to overcome many of the challenges and made reference to the government’s investment in Information Communication Technology (ICT).
“We have to ensure that every Guyanese knows how to use the computer, this is central to the economy as we go forward into the future…this is a new area that cannot be ignored; the more people become familiar with new technologies the better it would be for businesses as well as our country,” he posited.
Ramotar also made reference to the state of the mining sector in Guyana and alluded to the new mining enterprises such as the manganese operation in the North West District, Region One.
AS regards agriculture, the President said that the possibilities in the sector are endless and he made reference to the prospects of bio-fuel owing to high fuel prices.
“In Guyana we have the opportunity to not only secure our own food supply but also to earn a lot of money in the production of food,” he said. He emphasised the need for stronger business ties with neighbouring Brazil. Private Sector Commission (PSC) chairman, Ramesh Dookhoo told the gathering that Guyana has made significant economic progress over the years as a result of sound policies and increased efforts of a vibrant, growing private sector.
Dookhoo posited that, “we now have to look at the capacities of Government agencies, regulatory bodies, and other institutions to accommodate the growth that is taking place in Berbice. If Guyana is the bread-basket of the Caribbean, then it equally can be said that Berbice is the bread-basket of Guyana; this region holds some of the most fertile agricultural lands in the country and with the advent of the Berbice Bridge, our farmers have greater access to Georgetown and internationally.”
Regional Chairman, Region Six, David Armogan alluded to the expansion in the housing sector as a result of more lands being developed. This in turn, has made way for the construction sector to take off, GINA stated.
He also spoke of the No.63 Beach, which is talked of as one of the main tourist attractions in the Region and he also alluded to the partnerships between the regional administration and non-governmental organisations in tackling social ills such as domestic violence and abuse.
The president was accompanied by Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh, Agriculture Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy and Works Minister, Robeson Benn.
