The West Demerara Chamber of Commerce has been resuscitated and is being led by a seven-member steering committee headed by Ramesh Sugrim.
The Chamber met for the first time on Wednesday at the Aracari Resort and was addressed by several ministers including Prime Minister Samuel Hinds who is acting as President in the absence of President Donald Ramotar. Hinds told the meeting that the resuscitation of the chamber will “serve to add to the social capital of the area,” the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported.
Minister within the Local Government Ministry, Norman Whittaker told the meeting that “there has been a new approach to reach out to people in the various neighbourhods, as it was intended that there be collaboration. We are working to build capacity at the NDC level and the RDC level.”
Minister of Housing, Irfaan Ali pointed to several sectors that need to be developed in the region including agro-processing and agriculture, as well as ease of access to market, GINA reported.
Residents raised several issues including the condition of the Ruby road, enforcement of building codes and regulations, security, road encumbrances and the possibility of the development of industrial land in the Region.
Ali said that the resuscitation of the chamber will allow the region to have greater representation and greater input in national development.
He emphasized that the main objective is to get the chamber back on track and fulfilling its purpose, which is to lobby for change, growth and expansion, GINA reported.
