Canadian envoy says Guyana lacks labour force needed for ‘explosive’ oil growth

President Irfaan Ali and Canadian High Commissioner Lilian Chatterjee flanked by members of the Canada Guyana Chamber of Commerce at yesterday’s launch.

Outgoing Canadian High Commissioner Lilian Chatterjee yesterday said that Guyana lacks a skilled and sizeable labour force to benefit from the “explosive” oil-linked growth that is coming and she urged the country not to resist foreign investment but use its judgement on who to trust.

In response to her advice, President Irfaan Ali said his government will continue to press for investments here and ignore criticisms that it was “too business friendly” as it seeks to be “business friendlier”.

In the last of her public addresses here as High Commissioner, the Canadian envoy yesterday told  the launch of the Canada Guyana Chamber of Commerce (CGCC)  at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre that in the end it all comes down to partnership.