Dear Editor,
It now comes as no surprise that Guyana’s economy is stagnant or has been experiencing no significant growth. We can say this based on empirical evidence, along with the supporting data provided by all the key players in the financial arena.
We have not come far in the 50 years since Independence in terms of manufacturing and creating new industries to utilize, and market our resources to create employment. Actually, it is evident that we have retrogressed and halted most or all of those industries which were started decades ago and subsequently were aborted decades ago. We used to produce freezers and refrigerators at the Ideal company, radios at the Greco company, matches, natural and flavoured milk at the then pasteurization plant and large-scale production of textiles at the Sanata textile mill.
We are now importing milk from Barbados, which has a much smaller land mass than ours to breed cows and to produce milk and its by-products. We are importing many products from Trinidad and other Caribbean countries which we can be produced here for local consumption and widespread exportation. Whether these new industries will be undertaken by the government or will be a collaborative effort between the private and public sectors, I am sure that it is within our means to create these industries and turn them into tremendous successes. The result of these undertakings will be beneficial in myriad ways. Employment will be increased, crime will decrease, skills will be taught and enhanced, the overall economy will receive a major boost and mindsets will improve.
Our marketing is also non-existent or poor. I was saddened and embarrassed while viewing the recently televised Olympics when our contingent were paraded in front of the camera. I, along with most of the Guyanese population, had not received much publicity about the flag-bearer nor any detailed information about members of our contingent. Actually, there was additional embarrassment when Matt Lauer, the host of the popular Today show stated that one member of our team learned that he had been selected when he saw it on Facebook. It is disgraceful that our Ministry of Sports did not treat our team with more respect and pride. The commentators would have been able to make more noteworthy and laudable comments or descriptions if they had been provided with more information. At an event of such worldwide participation and recognition, it is incumbent on our Ministers of Business, Sport and even Tourism, to pull out all the stops to attract attention to our country. A good strategy would have been to send our sole medallist at a previous Olympics Games, Michael Parris, to be our flag bearer. The U.S commentators would have then used that as a springboard to go into other glorious details (provided by our government) about Guyana and our contingent.
This government has been in power for 15 months. It is vital for us to come out of our slumber after 50 years of stagnation and struggle.
Our main industries have suffered a decline and continuous fluctuations in their profitability. It is time that we diversify. We are going in the same situation, with the enthusiasm we are now seeing over ExxonMobil’s oil find. It is a new industry for us and we need to immediately start educating and training our citizenry, especially our youth, to contribute in reaping the maximum benefits. It has been proven in many oil rich countries that the wealth derived from its existence does not trickle down to the populace. It is known as the curse of oil.
Yours faithfully,
Conrad Barrow
