The Private Sector Com-mission (PSC) has asserted that investment in infrastructure is a necessary catalyst for more economic progress.
It made the point during a meeting with Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh and a team from the ministry on Monday.
In a press statement the PSC said it engaged in detailed discussions with the ministry regarding several infrastructure projects and many of the matters form part of the ongoing National Competitiveness Strategy. In addition, the PSC commended the government for its ongoing work on the restructuring of taxes. The group also discussed plans in the tourism industry as well as short, medium and long term options for the Demerara Harbour.
The PSC said it was pleased at the amicable tone of the discussions and is confident that its recommendations will be given careful consideration, as the minister pledged.
According to the statement, Singh thanked the PSC for its previous recommendations which were subsequently incorporated into the government’s policy framework.
The PSC acknowledged that the meeting was intended to inform the minister, and by extension, the government about areas that will impact its members. It anticipates that the National Budget 2014 will include proposals it has made as had been done in prior budget consultations with the minister.
For some time now, the private sector has been pressing for investment in the dredging of the Demerara Harbour to ease the cost of exporting and importing goods.
The PSC was established in 1992 by five private sector associations with the aim of bringing together all private sector organs and businesses under the purview of one national body.
The PSC members include the Aircraft Owners Association of Guyana, the Forest Pro-ducts Association of Guyana, the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Guyana Association of Bankers, the Guyana Association of Trawler Owners and Seafood Processors, the Gold and Diamond Miners Association, the Guyana Manufacturing and Ser-vices Association Ltd, the Institute of Private Enter-prise Development, the Linden Chamber of Indus-try, Commerce and Development, the National Aquaculture Association of Guyana, the Rupununi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Guyana Association of Profession-al Security Organisations, the Shipping Association of Guyana, The Consul-tative Association of Guyanese Industry, The Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana, the Upper Corentyne Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Central Corentyne Chamber of Commerce.
