President Irfaan Ali yesterday recognised the achievements of Guyanese businessman Andrew Mendes, who was officially presented with the 2020 Anthony N Sabga Caribbean Award for Excellence in Entrepreneurship.
Mendes is one of the four 2020 laureates named by the Trinidad and Tobago-based awards, which honours people who have made significant contributions to the areas of art, entrepreneurship, civil society and science.
“Please allow me to recognise and celebrate Andrew for his tremendous contribution to Guyana, for the upliftment of so many lives and the fulfilment of your social responsibility in all that you do in growing your company,” Ali was quoted as saying by the Office of the President (OP) at a special ceremony for the handing over of the award at State House yesterday afternoon.
According to a statement issued by OP, Ali said the awardees exemplified the inherent capacity of the region’s people to overcome the most daunting of challenges.
“Sacrifice and struggles are carved out in our DNA and has been molded by our region’s experience in surviving despite the odds, and Andrew is an excellent example of this. It is the spirit instilled though our history which allows us, the Caribbean star, to shine so brightly in the global arena of excellence. The genius of our people is indisputable,” he added.
Ali also pointed to the importance of harnessing the Caribbean’s extraordinary talent and resourcefulness, particularly as member states navigate through the difficulties presented by the COVID- 19 Pandemic.
He added that for Caribbean countries to insulate their economies and citizens from exogenous shocks, they must strengthen traditional sectors, improve economic competitiveness and steer economies into new, innovative areas.
This, the president said, requires the commitment to high standards of excellence, the “tapping” of the creative potential and genius of the Caribbean people as well as the retailoring of the education system to encourage inventiveness and innovation.
“Here in Guyana, it is the people of your country, the human resource capacity of our country who will have to be the shining star, resilient amidst the odds and committed to bringing our country together and ensuring as a people and as a country we succeed. We have examples here, and Andrew, you are one such person,” he was quoted as saying.
OP said Ali pointed to the important role politicians play in setting the vision and creating opportunities for continued growth and development of countries.
In addition to lauding Mendes for his achievement, OP said Ali also charged him to inspire the next generation, and to take the lead in building local capacity. He also charged him to lead the way in bringing together similar minds in the private sector to bolster the country’s technical capacity, particularly with the emerging oil and gas sector. “Let us discuss a common platform where the government can provide technical institutions to equip our people, Guyanese and regional people … I am convinced that we can build the capacity to provide essential services and the talent that is required to shape and take our country forward,” he said.
Ali urged Mendes to also use his platform to influence the change in mindset and to mould the future that Guyana badly needs.
In its citation for Mendes, the Managing Director of Farfan and Mendes Ltd, the Anthony N Sabga Awards said that he is an entrepreneur who brings a welcome change to the extractive industries, which are becoming more unpopular due to environmental concerns.
It noted that when he joined Farfan and Mendes Ltd in 1992, it was a small concern, employing less than 20 people and known mainly for selling chainsaws to the timber companies, with an annual turnover of G$78 million.
“Today, because of his leadership, FML has business interests in not only forestry, but also in the mining, agricultural, and oil and gas sectors, and employs more than 370 people with an annual turnover in excess of G$5 billion,” it added.
It further said that the company is also making a name in the world of renewable energy. In 2019, it was awarded a $25 million Guyana Government contract for the supply, installation and commissioning of solar photovoltaic systems for ICT hubs, installed the first private grid connected solar system at their offices at Providence, the first hybrid solar, generator and lithium ion storage system in the country, and has installed over 5 MW of solar systems countrywide.
The company also operates one of the largest drip irrigation farms in the Caribbean as part of a seed nursery to develop new corn and soy bean varieties for the worldwide market in the intermediate savannahs of Guyana, employing 140 people, comprising mostly women, from the local communities nearby.
As well as making his own family business a success, the release said that Mendes is a passionate advocate of corporate responsibility, high-quality customer service and products, and improving standards. He played the lead role in the development of a Code of Practice for Wood Processing in Guyana to improve sawmilling practices in the country.
The other 2020 award winners are Trinidad and Tobago astronomer Dr. Shirin Haque, St Lucian sculptor Jallim Eudovic, and Jamaican social scientist Dr Olivene Burke. Separate ceremonies in the laureates’ own home countries were decided upon due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
