Christopher Ram

Introduction During the past week Mr Leon Rockliffe, attorney-at-law, has written two letters on developments affecting the Deeds Registry, arguably the most important depository of business information in Guyana, the regulator for businesses and companies, and the authority for a number of critical functions regarding real property.

Mark Wilson with Patrice Bowen, Anthony Rogers Caribbean Business for CSEC Principles of Business (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2010.

Introduction Business Page joins in paying tribute to Winston Murray, economist, attorney-at-law and politician who offered this country a unique blend of experience, expertise, capacity for research, hard work and patience, all reinforced by unusual humility, integrity and respect for others.

Introduction Business Page of October 31 had referred to statements both by President Jagdeo and Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh that the Value-Added Tax and the Excise Tax introduced in 2007 would have been revenue neutral.

Introduction Sometimes around now, sometimes later, the press and the public are excited when the report of the Audit Office on the accounts of the ministries, departments and regions is tabled in the National Assembly.

Introduction Last week’s column addressed President Jagdeo’s astonishing, unfounded and uninformed statement that VAT was no burden and therefore in no need of revision.

Introduction Almost invariably in discussing recent mid-year reports which the Minister is required to present to the National Assembly under Section 67(1) of the Fiscal Management and Accountability (FM&A) Act 2003, I have made two broad prefatory comments.

Introduction The deadline for submission of tenders for the purchase of the government’s 20 per cent stake in the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GT&T) company is fast approaching.

Introduction President Jagdeo can be extremely unpredictable if not irrational at times.

Conclusion Introduction When I started this series on the failed insurance company I chose the title because of a sincere belief that those who were entrusted with powers and duties for the liquidation of Clico would act responsibly and professionally, and would ensure, at a minimum, full compliance with statutory requirements and ethical standards.

Part 2 IntroductionAs I write this column from Trinidad, I notice that the news in the print media and the discussion and talk shows are about the financial implications to the country arising from the collapse of Clico.

Introduction My notes of the meeting which President Bharrat Jagdeo held with policyholders of the failed insurance giant Clico Life & General Insurance Company (SA) Limited, or Clico, for short, quote him as saying that “Everybody will get back every cent of their money.”

Conclusion Introduction Last week, I diverted from a brief review on the gold-mining sector begun a fortnight ago to comment on the unfortunate death of Mr Gordon Maxwell, the small-time promoter who died by drowning as he tried to escape from the police while awaiting the posting of bail of $30,000.

Introduction We will soon forget the name Godwin Maxwell. But his story is most likely unique in Guyana.

Introduction After what appeared to be a lull in the roller-coaster ride of the medium and small-scale gold miners, the fraternity is once again questioning the good faith of those who control the ride’s levers, and is in mortal fear of its own survival.

Introduction As yet, other than saying that Atlantic Hotels Inc is a public-private sector partnership, the government and its handmaiden NICIL have been silent on where the money to build a hotel in Kingston to be operated under the Marriot label will come from.

ContinuedIntroduction Last week I wrote that the Government of Guyana through the instrumentality of President Jagdeo was about to enter the tourism sector as a major investor while simultaneously getting out of a major lucrative investment in the telecommunication sector from which it, or rather the increasingly infamous NICIL, received some $3,458,000,000 in dividends.

The government through the instrumentality of President Jagdeo, is about to enter the tourism sector as a major investor.

Introduction That the Government used its majority in the National Assembly to push through major amendments to the New Building Society Act was not surprising.

Introduction When this series began several weeks ago – this is its fifth and final column, – its focus was a review of the report on the Public Accounts of Guyana, the ministries, departments and regions for 2008.