Region Nine’s business prospects will receive a boost with the completion of the Industrial Site in Lethem which is being redesigned by SRKN Engineering Company.
GINA yesterday said that this disclosure was made by Minister of Business Dominic Gaskin.
The redesign was budgeted for in the 2016 National Budget and once completed, the Minister said, the construction of the site will begin after a transparent tendering process. He described the original plan as a very basic one, hence the need for its revision.
The minister was speaking during a Ministerial meeting with the Rupununi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) on May 6, at the Lethem Amerindian Hostel. It came in response to calls from RCCI representatives for Government to do more to boost the region’s business sector. GINA said that the enquiry about the Industrial Site was made by the RCCI members who said it was needed to help attract businesses and boost employment.
Gaskin stated that many of the challenges the businesspersons faced will be addressed through the designation of Lethem as a town. Some of these challenges include the need for critical government services, more focus on agriculture, trade with Brazil, and more social services.
Business owners also lobbied for the decentralisation of the business registration process. In response, the Ministers acknowledged the need for change and explained that Government is actively taking steps to decentralise the process. A suggestion that the process be fast-tracked and based at the Lethem Magistrate’s Court, will be considered, Gaskin added.
The issue of commercial zoning was also raised by the RCCI members. It was stated that some persons had opened businesses without official approval. This, the RCCI members said, left several legitimate entrepreneurs at a disadvantage. Gaskin said that issues such as zoning, needed to be addressed by the Municipality. He added however, that leases issued for prime lands will be revoked if lessees are not using them.
The challenges faced by law enforcement ranks, such as a lack of vehicles and manpower were also raised by the RCCI members.
These concerns will be put to Minister of Public Security, the Minister said.
