“Corrupt practices constitute a vicious force that undermines fair competition, suppresses economic growth and ultimately destabilises an entrepreneur’s own existence,” Canada’s High Commissioner to Guyana David Devine declared in his feature address to mark the 10th anniversary of EMPRETEC last week.
In a presentation that appeared focused on corruption, a theme with which he has already attracted considerable public attention recently, Devine told his audience of mostly local small and micro-business owners that “bribery is illegal and there is no guarantee that favours bought will materialise.”
The Canadian diplomat also addressed issues such as the work of EMPRETEC, the role of the entrepreneurship in economic growth and youth entrepreneurship. However, his presentation lent continuity to his speech two weeks ago at a Guyana Investment Seminar attended by