Marking its 19th anniversary in Guyana, Courts yesterday launched its eighth branch store, at Great Diamond, East Bank Demerara.
The over $250 million building is expected to provide residents on the East Bank with a more comfortable shopping experience. The new store offers all of the products sold at Courts branches such as furniture, appliances, beds, exercise equipment and computers.
Managing Director of Courts Guyana Clyde de Haas said the new store will provide a shopping experience like all other Courts’ stores that can be measured to world standards. de Haas also stated that a donation of over $2 million will be made to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre.
President Donald Ramotar, who cut the ribbon to commission the new building and gave the feature address, told those in attendance that the event marked a significant investment by Courts and he was pleased with the variety of items on offer to customers, noting the contribution to the improvement in quality from manufacturers. “The opening of a new branch is always a noteworthy occasion,” he said. He also highlighted that the company reintroduced hire purchase in our society, bringing business closer to the people.
Meanwhile, Minister of Finance Dr Ashni Singh stated that the company has been a finance company in the sense that it has allowed low-income families to have access to hire purchase plans by requiring only the most basic proof of income. He added that access to finance is critical to the growth of any economy.
The minister said government has recognised the importance of the access to finance and is working towards the establishment of a Credit Bureau.
The Credit Bureau will facilitate easy financing for persons who would like to have access to loans but do not have the collateral needed. The bureau will come into play by providing the credit records of those persons from companies like Courts.
The minister also urged Courts to improve customer access to its products by reducing cost.
Also in attendance were Minister of Housing and Water, Irfaan Ali along with officials of Unicomer Group of Companies, the parent company of Courts.
