Business Review

Continued from last week   Asymmetry of information The proposed regulatory changes identified in the previous part of this article reflect several deficiencies in the form and substance of reports. 

(Part 1) Choice of Theme Last week the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Guyana held its annual conference under the theme “Focus on Financial Services”. 

Unmistakable   The draft Anti-Money Laundering Bill has replaced the Bill on Amaila Falls as the talk of the town. 

Principal Owner Property Holdings Inc is a company that was incorporated on October 5, 1999 for the specific purpose of managing or disposing of property owned by Guyana Stores Limited (GSL).

Self reliance On Monday last, the administration launched the Micro and Small Enterprise Development (MSED) Project. 

Self-evaluation The specific ‘no objection’ role that cabinet plays currently has to do with evaluating how well and fair the procurement process itself has been working. 

First decade With a low debt profile, working capital over $5 billion and in excess of $2 billion in cash, Banks DIH is nowhere close to being in trouble. 

Marginal role Cooperatives, though useful, are not a noticeable tool in Guyana’s economic development. 

Variable performance Sterling Products Limited (SPL) is about to complete its ninth month of operation in 2013 and its economic performance might well remain an enigma to its shareholders as the company moves towards its 59th Annual General Meeting next year. 

Outward movement Guyana continues to be a net exporter of its human resources and has one of the highest emigration rates in the world. 

Reliable data is very important for conducting analysis and for making good decisions. 

Public exchanges The story of the Amaila Falls hydropower project dates back many years and much has already been said and written about it. 

Anniversary On June 30, 2013, with all attention on concerns about the expansion of the airport, the future of sugar, legislation about anti-money laundering and financing of terrorism, the price of gold and critical deadlines about the Amaila Falls hydropower project looming, no one noticed that the Guyana Stock Exchange (GSE) had reached an important milestone in its existence. 

Continued Cost control Last week, it was observed that though GNPL was experiencing significant difficulties, its management was making the best of a bad situation. 

Mood of the company The Guyana National Printers Limited (GNPL) will be celebrating its 75th birthday next year. 

Bargain prices But, even as the West ponders its options, Guyanese must figure out the value of China’s money to them for something has gone wrong that is causing well-meaning actions to create a portentous situation.

A surprise It must appear as a surprise to investors from China that many in a country with which it has shared friendly ties for four decades view its economic participation in the Guyana economy rather dimly. 

Note to Readers Over the past month I have been engaged with the editorial management on the Stabroek News over an apology they offered to Mr Ron Webster in connection with his controlling share acquisition in Caribbean Containers Inc, a company of which he has at all material times been Chief Executive Officer.

Part 4 Introduction My hope last week was to move seamlessly this week into the big ticket items on the CJIA contract – particularly the runway and the new terminal building.

Introduction I wish to acknowledge the generosity of all those persons who have shared information and their time and expertise relevant to this column.