Former Guyana and West Indies cricketer Ramnaresh Sarwan and his family on Friday commissioned their multi-million dollar Amazonian Mall at Providence, promising both recreational and economic opportunities to residents of the East Bank and West Demerara, even as he encouraged young athletes to think about investments to secure their future.
The Amazonian Mall at Block M, Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD), has been under construction since October 2018.
“Building a mall was seen as a good opportunity to serve the people of East Bank and West Demerara,” Sarwan told Stabroek News following the ribbon cutting. He noted that his investment, the size of which remains undisclosed, was about securing a future for him and his family at the end of his cricket career.
“I knew that at any time the West Indies Cricket Board could have pulled the plug on my career so I wanted something to fall back on. So I started this dream over ten years ago and building a mall was a good opportunity because there was none on the East Bank…,” he said.
During the commissioning, Sarwan said he battled many sleepless nights and frustration as he encountered setbacks during the project. The aim was to open the mall by mid-2020, however, he told Stabroek News that the COVID-19 pandemic played a major role in the delays as the contractor was not able to source materials in time to meet the deadlines set.
The project was financed by Republic Bank, which Sarwan said has been very supportive. The mall boasts 25 stores, eight eateries and six Caribbean Cinemas theatres, which can seat 1,000 persons. The new investment presents the opportunity for 300 to be employed, the former cricketer noted.
Hailing the investment as another impressive achievement for Sarwan, President Irfaan Ali said the opening of the mall coincides with government’s development plan for the East Bank.
During his address, Ali said that there should be development across the board and his government was working to ensure economic opportunities seen in the capital and its environs are replicated throughout the country.
He called on young persons to step out of their comfort zones and “feel free to bring ideas to the table. We are out here, the ministers are involved in outreaches and are approachable. Feel free to bring ideas…”
The President went on to say that with massive transformation taking place, Guyana needs minds that are bold, visionary and fearless in decision making and risk taking.
In the same breath, Ali said that his government has laid the groundwork for major investments along the East Bank corridor, which he said will become a hub for commercial and industrial activities.
The President pointed out that with new highways being constructed between the East Coast and East Bank, thousands of acres of land will be opened up not only for housing opportunities but also commercial and industrial purposes.
He said with careful planning and development his government is confident that the vision they have to transform Guyana will be achieved and will uplift the lives of Guyanese.
Ali said that rapid development is taking place along the East Bank corridor and government is committed to ensuring that the necessary infrastructure is in place.
Further, he stated that his government has been speaking with local, regional and international financial institutions to find the best possible packages that can be used to for development and aid in the transformation of the country.
Additionally, Ali said that his government is looking at innovative ways in which they can cushion inflation by importation of materials for the construction sector. He stated that they are also assessing different avenues and crafting of policies that will aid low income owners navigate the construction sector.
Sarwan has said that the project is a means of giving back to the country
“It will be a modern facility to (the) country offering services to not only Guyanese but visitors as well. When we have people come to Guyana, they have places to go and they will have good things to say about the country,” he said.
The mall was described as an “opportunity to embrace an exhilarating experience of a modern shopping centre and recreational facility that will offer a wide array of goods and services which caters to your every need.”
A main centre of attraction will be Caribbean Cinemas which will have six state-of-the-art theatres. This is the company’s third location in the country. The two others are located at Giftland Mall in Turkeyen and at Classic International Hotel in Corriverton, Corentyne.
Coincidentally, after being shut by the pandemic for more than a year,
cinemas will be allowed to open to 40% capacity for fully COVID-vaccinated persons from August 1st, according to an order that was gazetted on Thursday.
The ‘Grand Amazonia Inc’ houses several fast-food chains such as Burger King, Pizza Hut, and KFC among other eateries, according to the mall’s website.
It says as well that there will be restaurants offering an assortment of local creole dishes as well as a fine-dining restaurant offering traditional Indian cuisine.
“A stylish sports bar and lounge elevated to the second level of the building will offer an ambient throw-back experience to its visitors,” the website added.
The mall was described as an “opportunity to embrace an exhilarating experience of a modern shopping centre and recreational facility that will offer a wide array of goods and services which caters to your every need.”
