Dear Editor,

I refer to an article in the Malaysian Star Newspaper highlighting the first Clinton Global Initiative meeting outside of USA in Hong Kong later this year. Why is this important for Guyana?  Because the meeting is being underwritten by wealthy Malaysian businessman, Datuk Vinod Shekar, who heads the Petra Group.

The Petra Group is touting as one of its green credentials, its involvement in “developing Jatropa bio fuel facilities in Guyana to help eradicate poverty…..”.  Is this the truth, is this really happening in Guyana?
The last time I checked, Government of Guyana stated that 11 companies have submitted proposal to develop our emerging agro energy industry and none of the 11 names were associated at that time, with the Petra Group. Having another company’s interested in our Agro Energy Industry is great news but what is pertinent is when are we going to convert interests into finish projects.

Time is our enemy? Cheap fossil fuel will never be good for Guyana in the long term since it adversely affect us becoming energy self sufficient.

This brings me to the significant point, where are we on developing this emerging agro-energy sector?
We were told that the 11 proposals would be evaluated in “early 2008” but in a country like Guyana, early 2009 is more realistic due to our centralised decision-making process.

Where are we regarding this evaluation?  I would want to use my civic right to flag this vital milestone. I was advised that commencement of evaluation was subject to the formalising of the IDB US$925,500 grant.

This is now signed and ready for disbursement. So what is the status with the evaluation process? Has it been completed? Has it started?

Yours faithfully,
Sasenarine Singh