Dear Editor,
I wish to draw a close to Emancipation Month 2021 by proposing additional ideas on creating economically viable communities in rural areas and putting African Guyanese, and affected Indian Guyanese also, on the path to financial independence and economic prosperity. Government can play an integral role in accelerating economic development and creating economically viable communities in rural areas by determining from community members what areas of economic activity they would be interested in pursuing. The ultimate objective/goal of this exercise is to ensure that these rural communities develop to the point where their products, whether these be agricultural or services-level output, reach global markets, with CARICOM very likely being an initial testing ground for developing both revenue and market share. Research on already documented ideas will be helpful for those involved. At the community level, citizens should take the initiative to establish active working groups to perform their own resource assessment and identify potential sources of economic activity which can translate in trade with urban areas (Georgetown, New Amsterdam, etc.)
Not every idea necessarily needs to translate into a source of foreign exchange, and it should be noted here that efficient transport services and stringent quality controls are essential, necessary elements to being successful not only in global markets, but our very own local markets, the initial source of income. For the business community there are great opportunities to achieve revenue growth from developing rural communities, and they themselves can organize to invest human and financial resources into creating steering groups with rural communities. Successful development of active working groups between rural and business community will serve as a spring board for more collaboration, exchange of ideas, investment, job creation, income growth and social and economic advancement. These newly developed groups then can better able to engage with government officials in time.
Sincerely,
Craig Sylvester
