The Private Sector Commis-sion (PSC) of Guyana and the Canadian High Commission yesterday reaffirmed their commitment to work together.  

At a simple ceremony at the Duke Lodge in Kingston, new Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana, Francois Montour, stated that the agency is committed to working along with the PSC. He said that through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), the Canadian authorities have been making significant contributions towards the economic enhancement of Guyana’s economy.

A statement from the Canadian High Commission yesterday said that Canada through CIDA has supported the PSC’s Capacity Development Project. 

“The main objective of the project is to strengthen the capacity of the PSC to undertake sound economic analysis and utilize it to contribute to Government decision-making on key economic issues that impact on private sector development. It also envisages promoting greater understanding among Guyanese firms of emerging trade and investment issues so that they can be better positioned in an increasingly competitive global economic environment”, the statement noted.  It was initiated in 2001 and will run until 2011, at a cost of Cdn$476,000. 

PSC Chairman Gerald  Gouveia said at the ceremony yesterday that the PSC has welcomed the position taken by the Canadian High Commission in embracing the objectives of the PSC. Commenting on the progress the PSC has made over the years, Gouveia said that the commission has made its presence felt within the various sectors of Guyana’s economy. He said that the PSC has been interfacing with a number of government agencies throughout the country and noted that the agency has made its voice heard to this effect.

At the brief ceremony, Gouveia took the opportunity to introduce recently installed Executive Director of the PSC, Roubinder Rambarran. At the closing Gouveia presented a token of appreciation to the Canadian High Commissioner on behalf of the PSC.

The statement from the Canadian High Commission also quoted Montour as saying “As Canada and CARICOM prepare to negotiate a free trade agreement, we are  delighted to provide assistance for initiatives that will contribute to preparing Guyanese business entities to seek increasing economic opportunities for trade in the global market”.