A new four-storey shopping complex located at the corner of Regent and Wellington streets was officially declared open on Thursday, just in time for the Christmas season.
The new Regent Street mall.
The multi-million dollar ‘Regent Multiplex’, which is owned by businessman Ganesh Ramlall, who has a clothing stall in the Stabroek Market was scheduled to open its doors to the public yesterday but this has been pushed back to Monday.
The building which began to take shape in July last year has 41 booths and when Stabroek News visited yesterday goods were being taken in for some of them.
The Ramlall family, businessman Ganesh (left), his wife Monica and daughter, Sharmila (front) at the opening of the Regent Multiplex on Thursday.
A few have already been set up including a flower shop and a clothing store, both located on the ground floor.
Minister of Tourism, Manniram Prashad said at the opening ceremony that this sort of investment speaks highly of the confidence the business community has in the country in spite of the economic challenges.
Addressing those that had gathered for the occasion, Prashad said that when the city mall was declared open several years ago on Regent and Camp streets he told himself that it would be a difficult task for anyone to repeat.
However, he said, Ramlall has proved his assumption wrong and added that another mall was under construction. He said that these projects show the confidence citizens have in the country.
“The president has always encouraged private investment”, he stated.
The Minister later congratulated Ramlall and his family for investing so much in the country at this critical time and stressed that an example has been set for others to follow.
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, performing the functions of President, encouraged others to follow in the footsteps of Ramlall for the betterment of Guyana while Opposition leader Robert Corbin said that the venture has shown that there is an opportunity to develop one’s talents and abilities.
When construction started, there were reports that it was being done by the owner and publisher of the Kaieteur News, Glen Lall. Lall who was at the ceremony told the gathering that he was a good friend of the Ramlall family but categorically stated that the building did not belong to him or his wife Bhena.
He said that without a doubt, the Regent Multiplex will be one of the hottest spots in that area and Georgetown.
It all started for Ramlall 20 years ago when he began trading foodstuff from Berbice to Leonora.
He then moved his business to Curacao where he sold products to various businesses. The 43-year-old Ramlall also traded out of Panama and the United States.
After three years of this with his wife, the couple opened a stall in the Stabroek Market and then last year – some nine years after they moved to the Market, while driving down Regent Street, Ramlall, a resident of La Jalousie, West Coast Demerara saw the land where his store now sits on for sale.
Ramlall, who has accounting qualifications, told the media that it all started out as a dream. He declined to disclose the cost of his venture but said that he had financial help from the bank, family and friends.
Though he has created a bigger business, the Stabroek Market clothing stall will remain open.
Hinds officially declared the building open by cutting the ribbon. Also present were DDL chairman Yesu Persaud, Attorney General Doodnauth Singh and Deputy Mayor Robert Williams.
HEY, ARE WE GONNA BLAME THE GOVERNMENT FOR THIS DEVELOPEMENT? BLAMMERS………
I remember the delapidated eyesore that once stood on that corner. This new building is such a welcome sight and a great addition to the business community in Georgetown. I wish the owner all the success.
WELL DONE GANESH.ALL THE BEST.
The Regent Multiplex is indeed a very impressive complex. Cogratulations to MR. Ramlall & family on your new venture & wishing you years & years of success in the buisness industry.
We sayin y’all been away from GT too long.
From rags to riches in months not years – deh Guyana way man!!
LMAO – oh gawd meh deh in stitches.
SSDD
amazing… a stall owner from big market…..enough said
AMEN TO THT
de man wuk hard fuh 20 yrs…blood, sweat and tears…
not three yrs… you tink it easy…
rambler…you beat me to the punch..
You can do it too rambler,anything is possible in Guyana,it is not the first such case,and won’t be the last…magic…well done Ramlall, and good luck!!!!
So what are you trying to say rambler ?
STOP DRINKING THE HATERADE.
remember rambler whatever the mind of man can concieve it can achieve,lol!.
I know rambler its amazing.
rambler i hear you loud and clear.
well done thats the way to go…hope security is in place.. good luck hope other follow……is this going to be a blame on the gov’t…
I hope this open the eyes of many young people.
This is the results of hard work, long hours, and RISKS,
Nothing ventured nothing gained.
I am very proud of you Ganesh,
May you have the courage, and support to repeat this again.
From one man who stared business in Bourda market as a butcher,
To a man who lives , where only the rich and famous does.
May God bless you, and your family for your COURAGE.
If you believe that you can do it, You are already on your way THERE.
A very good lesson for the younger Generation,
Nothing comes to you,
You have to GO TO IT,
For those of you who wait, you’re lost,
If you wait for inheritence,
You would’nt know how to spend it, You may eventually loose it
If you are hungry enough you will be determined to SUCCEES.
You are very right, Owen 69. But the youths nowadays have no concept of deferred gratification. They want it NOW, unlike Mr. Ramlall who toiled and deferred his gratification to earn what he has today.
and dem should mek sure dem sell only waterproof stuff and plastic thing in the battam floor only. you know wha mek…
Good for you and our country, Mr. Ramlall. But I’m wondering why you are so secretive about the cost of your venture. Don’t you think that we’d be more impressed if we knew how much money a lowly stall owner was able to raise to build an impressive building?
not your business.