Labour Minister Dr Nanda K Gopaul invited participants at a Canada mining convention to explore investment opportunities in Guyana’s lucrative mineral and other extractive sectors.
In his opening address at Guyana Mining Day at the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) held recently at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in Canada, the minister said the vast potential for profitable investment, together with the people’s hospitality and the country’s progressive and modern laws are a boon to investors.
According to a Government Informa-tion Agency (GINA) report, Dr Gopaul noted that Guyana is a strong advocate for profitable environmentally friendly mining ventures. Economic interests are balanced with the country’s commitment to reserve its pristine rainforest and maintaining a sustainable environment, he said. Gopaul asserted that ministry continues to boost its capacity for investment in this sector and, in conjunction with its partners, it is committed to the occupational safety and health and mining regulations which were produced in collaboration with the Guyana Geology and Mines and the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment.
He also said that focus is being given to improving the skill set and knowledge of the workforce both at the technical and academic levels to meet the growing demands in the sector. The ministry has partnered with several other government agencies to ensure that persons are trained in areas such as heavy-duty machinery operation.
Nevertheless, investors can also source skilled labour from overseas when necessary. Gopaul also told the gathering that Guyana can make its labour laws available in French to accommodate French speaking Canadians firms interested in investment. Further, he asserted that Go-Invest and the Natural Resources Ministry have worked with investors to create an enabling environment to ensure that investment risks are minimised.
