-Jagdeo urges private sector
GuyExpo, the country’s largest trade and investment event, opened last evening with a challenge thrown out to the private sector to see opportunities in the midst of a harsh economic climate.
These representatives of A&C Leather Care/Leather Land International told patrons at GuyExpo last evening that if they can have the sandal seen in this photo if it fits.
After a one-year break due to last year’s Carifesta celebrations, GuyExpo returned to the National Exhibition Site at Sophia. This year’s event is being held under the theme ‘Promoting Business in a Low Carbon Environment.’
During the feature address, President Bharrat Jagdeo emphasized the need “to see opportunity even in the most challenging of times” as this was one of the keys to long-term entrepreneurial success. Emphasizing the importance of the partnership between the government and the private sector, Jagdeo said that his government remained committed to the view that there was “no incompatibility between a strong, vibrant private sector and a compassionate, active government.”
The key to this partnership is set out in the National Development Strategy (NDS), which
President Bharrat Jagdeo (second from right) assists two girls in cutting the ribbon last evening following the Opening Ceremony of GuyExpo. Looking on are co-Chairmen of the event Derrick Cummings (second from left) and Trade and Commerce Minister Manniram Prashad (right). (Photo by Jules Gibson)
later led to the National Competitiveness Strategy (NCS), Jagdeo said even as he pointed out that the latter included updated parts of the NDS. He emphasized that these two strategies were the “bedrock” of his government’s economic plans for the country. He said that the NDS presented an overall strategic framework and the NCS the more detailed set of policy initiatives.
Jagdeo noted that one of the aspects of economic development that his government did not fully understand when the NDS and the NCS were drafted was the “potential transformational impact that Climate Change would have on our country, on our economy and our people’s well-being.” Identifying the negative impact that climate change had already had on the country, he said that it was an area in which the government has since taken great interest.
Speaking about the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) he said that it was not intended to replace the NDS or the NCS but to augment them to enhance national development and also to provide a means to work with other territories to address the critical issue of climate change.
Mini beauties: the dolls in this photo are dressed in custom made clothing representing the various cultures present in Guyana. They were being display for sale at GuyExpo 2009 last evening.
He emphasized that persons needed to move beyond seeing climate change solely as problem but as an issue that needed a solution, while adding that smaller countries had to lead the charge as they stood to suffer the most from the effects of Climate Change.
Hailing the event as “the most important event on the calendar of trade and investment in Guyana,” Trade and Commerce Minister Manniram Prashad promised that this year’s event “would be a far more enriching experience.” He said that this year’s exhibition included representatives from various countries including Brazil, Venezuela, Suriname, Peru, Barbados, St Lucia, Canada and the USA.
Stating that the private sector is the engine of growth and development, he said that it needed to work together with other entities “to build a low carbon economy where national development and combating climate change are complementary.” He said that business persons must take advantage of the investment opportunities in a low carbon environment.
Prashad, who is also co-Chairman of this year’s Guy Expo, while highlighting some of the efforts the government has made to aid the business community pointed to the Small Business Act which was passed. This is meant to assist small and medium sized businesses. He said that this involved the establishment of a Small Business Council, Bureau and Fund. He said that the Council has already been set up and that the fund will soon be operational, since the Small Business Bureau is now being established. He also pointed to the matching-grant initiative as another positive achievement.
The Competitive Commission which is a requirement of the Treaty of Chaguaramas has also been established, he noted. He said that this ensures that no local or foreign company doing business in Guyana acts in a manner that is harmful to another or against consumer interest in the market place.
He also stated that reforms are underway to make significant reform in the operation of customs and the licensing agents to make ease “to import and export with less red tape.”
The Minister said that the country just became a member of the Trade Point International and that by the end of the year Trade Point Georgetown should be established. This will link buyers and sellers to the internet in a virtual market place. He said that they are exploring via the National Competitiveness Strategy the possibility of having the Caribbean Development Fund link Guyana into a trade network, even as he pointed out that St Lucia is already benefitting from this initiative.
In his brief address, Chairman of the Private Sector Commission (PSC) Capt. Gerry Gouveia called on entrepreneurs to conduct businesses with “a high level of corporate social responsibility and urged them to “embrace good and responsible environmental practices.”
He noted that this would include minimizing the emission of dangerous gases.
In highlighting the importance of climate change to the lives of everyone, Gouveia said that in the future renewable energy sources needed to be pursued and stated that it is imperative that the nation pursue hydropower.
Gouveia also underscored the importance of the partnership between the public and private sector, saying that it was integral if the country was to advance. Meanwhile, he said that the PSC will welcome any foreign investor who was willing to invest in Guyana.
Speaking about the performance of the private sector as the world went through a global financial crisis, Gouveia said that a recent study done by three economists from the University of Guyana showed that the impact of this crisis on local businesses was minimal. He said that the few businesses that suffered would have done so because of failure to be innovative and creative.
Hence, he underscored that the private sector had to be innovative as they looked to the future.
GuyExpo was launched in 1995 by the Guyana Office for Trade and Investment (GoInvest), the Guyana Manufacturers’ Association and the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce as a bi-annual event to showcase locally produced goods and services. The event became an annual one in 2004.
Any attempt by the government to increase trade and promote the private manufacturing industries must be congratulated and encouraged. This event must not be seen as a government sponsored event but as an occasion for all Guyanese to unite in the common cause of moving Guyana forward. I hope the exhibitors attract and secure great business opportunities and the exhibition is a resounding success. When Guyana succeeds the Guyanese people benefit.
Bora. Thanks for an educated piece of literature once more. My exact sentiments. This must be a win win event for all the suffering people of Guyana.
Borapork ! Is this the first Exposition that was held in that sorry country ? Of course not ! The question ,then, is what effect the other expositions had on the economy. Were new markets created ? Were local businesses developed and expanded over the years ? The answer is, ‘No!’ But , there you have the Trade and Commerce Minister with chest puffed up officiating at another farce. Oh yes ! He will ‘get paid’ and further speak of the wonderful things that is happening in that sorry country. ‘See y’all at the next Expo’.
This is the same man who organized stilt dancers and steel bands to welcome Delta Airlines to Guyana – a country that had its own National Airlines. You’ve got to be kidding me.
Huh! Re: “GuyExpo was launched in 1995 by the Guyana Office for Trade and Investment (GoInvest), the Guyana Manufacturers’ Association and the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce as a bi-annual event to showcase locally produced goods and services. The event became an annual one in 2004….”
What was this exhibition called “way back when” in dem Burnham days???
Re: “This is the same man who organized stilt dancers and steel bands to welcome Delta Airlines to Guyana – a country that had its own National Airlines….”
Simple, it was a case of welcoming “competence” while getting rid of “incompetence” following the vacation from office taken by the PNC.
This is nothing but hypocrisy at its best. How in the name of Jehovah, can the current government of the failing state of Guyana seriously attempt to promote above board trade when it is widely known that Guyana cradles nacro-traffickers and promotes opaqueness in service delivery? Let us get serious. What this Government must do to restore its long lost credibility is to organize an International Law Enforcement Show in partnership with Interpol, the United Nations Agency against Narcotics Trafficking, Scotland Yard, the FBI to demonstrate how it is willing to rid the country of drug smuggling and all that is associated with this scourge.
So wonder what persuaded our good friends out of Freedom House to have two Afro Guyanese kids cut the ribbon this time?
Is race all you can see? Get a life man.
blacksage
Since you asked the race question then you ought to open the Chronic News Paper and you will have seen this time and time again and again on many other different stuff that is going on in Guyana.
You ought to do it because it seems like you like loking at photos.
evileyes, the barnacle chronicle can’t even be truthful with a photo. so, there is no need to even look.
blacksage,
it’s called a photo-op.
Political leaders, the world over does it, and it’s all about projecting concern/care for a particular issue, be it immigration, the under privileged, minorities, religious intolerance , and the list goes on.
I guess that you have not yet evolved to the point where you can see beyond race, and that’s really sad my friend.
I apologize for offending people by appearing to be racist. Realistically, we are all racists, as innately we sympathize with our ethnicity a little more readily than others.
In any event, let us not fool ourselves be naive about the racist politics of our country. It is an inescapable fact that the PPP and PNC, the greatest deterrents to progress in Guyana from time immemorial, pontificate racial politics. Everything we see contrary to that is a sham, so maybe some of my fellow bloggers can do more than just settle for the photo ops of these charlatans.
J B
you go tell that to Clinton and Bush…
how many thoustands of times you see them posin with black kids?
Blacksage I hear you loud and clear,and I know where you are coming from, but let’s try not to fall into the hands of those with ulterior motives…………….. as the saying goes, “you can fool some people sometimes but…….”
Let’s do it for the sake of future generation – they have a right to enjoy a better Guyana.
Good Friday morning folks, I haven’t as yet read the speeches but this seems a good reporting effort by SN. The paper should keep on this track without the usual unprofessional resorting to “according to reports and relatives” and its “understanding”. It will then get more respect.
Guyana continues to progress with benefits for all the people.
aint reddy, my grandmother used to say, “what you are as an adult, tells what you were as a youth” i hate to believe that you were a kid in need of special education.
Reddy indeed it is a good story.
Let us look at the contradictions.
Jerry said few businesses, minimal entities suffered during the economic down turn. Remember developed and developing countries around the world were hit very hard.
Now in most economic down turns the use of illegal drugs either stay steady or increases.
The UG economists found the impact minimal on guyana businesses. Some failed because they were not “innovative and creative”. Imagine a world wide crisis bypassing a country like guyana.
The president on the other hand said that climate change can affect the economy. Again economics 101. Coco is delicate and requires a stable climate. Rough seas can delay shipments coming in and leaving, expensive indeed. Aircraft navigational systems are obsolete if the weather is bad. Airdrops are hampered, airstrip landing are affected by cloud cover.
All the media houses should be in this complex reporting on the positives coming out of Guyana,,,
Johnander,,,This is why Jerry is the President of the Private Sector Commission and Jagdeo is the Executive President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana and Chairman of Caricom and you are here writing rubbish…That is why because you are more brilliant than both these men …
So called soldier,
That is why you should stop using the name soldier if you never served.
Jerry served.
A grave embarrassment to a proud group.
Yo (Ever) “Ready (Battery) In Barbados”! Forget the “Agricultural Section”…. Do ya see the “Industrial Section” ah de (former M. V. Guyana Cooperative Agricultural and Industrial Bank GAIBANK required to service developmental activities in Guyana) dat was torpedoed by de current PPP Government in Guyana floating pass the beach in Barbados – eh!
Re: “Jerry served….”! But, what would have been his “career” orientation if there was no PNC established Guyana National Service Programme???
Guyana is surrounded by plentiful and enriching natural resources which could make millionaires of the 200,000(approx) families which live in that country, however talk of using those resouces for the upliftment of all seems to be taboo.
Because Our President continues to link Guyana’s National Development Strategy directly with the rich countries’ Low Carbon Development Strategy; one is tempted to ask if Our President would resign in disgrace when his team returns from Copenhagen with just the booby prize.
I woke up this morning eagerly anticipating the news about GuyExpo and, sure, I wasn’t disappointed. Everyone has to get aboard President Jagdeo’s Low Carbon Development Strategy, not only the government but also the private sector and individual households. Amidst an unsympathetic world economic environment and threatening ecological disaster the PPP government’s LCDS offers the greatest hope for survival and prosperity.
In his opening speech at Guyexpo, President Jagdeo gave an unequivocal answer to the published misplaced misgivings of the AFC people about the management of international LCDS funds expected to flow soon. It’s a pity Stabroek News has not reported on that part of the speech. According to the Chronicle, the President said the funds “will be subject to stringent accountability measures.” He assured everyone the funds “will be under the full oversight of the National Assembly with monitoring by an international financial institution, most likely the World Bank.”
yasuman, if you set your standards that low, how do you expect to be surprised. how many time has jagdeo said things and then renege. the pee pee pee government can’t be trusted thats why there will be so much agencies monitoring the funds. “he who recieves money in a trust to administer for the benefit of its owner, and uses it either for his own interest or against the wishes of its rightful owner is a @#$%&^% %^&$#”.
Ok Yasu we impressed that you among the few that post here are privilieged to access to the “fishwraps” paper.
We do not look at it and do not want to hear about it also.
Read my lips. News about guyana comes to the majority posting here in this order
Stabroek news
Kaieteur news
In our dreams about guyana
Memories
Telephones
Emailing our worst enemies
Post office -letters
Persons you meet from guyana.
You will notice none of the “fishwraps are mentioned.
It is for a reason persons keep the wraps out of their lives.
They are unreliable
Forgot, did the wraps mentioned how the funds will be parted up among to the group?
Fellas more clever than any international oversight body.
John Brown,
Excerpt: “he who recieves money in a trust to administer for the benefit of its owner, and uses it either for his own interest or against the wishes of its rightful owner is a @#$%&^% %^&$#”
Can you rephrase that so it makes some sense? Why are you writing things that only you can understand?
Guyana has and always have the potential for great things, however, there is a lack of the opportunity to move to the international level because of several things, such as: lack of capital, lack of marketing, high cost of production and communication, unreliable and high electricy and water rates and others too numerous to mention. I am at home often, and I see almost everything that is needed for a very comfortable live, however, these things are out of the reach of the average Guyanese, because of the cost to them. We must find a way to bridge this gap. We have to find a way to make things at a quality and quantity, that make economic sence both for export and local use. Without this, we will continue to see these shows which show our potential without adding to our development as a nation.
You forget one more lack – a competent and honest government.
Congrats to all the organizers at the event. However I would like to know why irony still exist from those promoting development. Perfect example would be Gerry Gouveia. In the following he sayy that he is:
“calling on entrepreneurs to conduct businesses with “a high level of corporate social responsibility and urged them to “embrace good and responsible environmental practices.”
Another joke to me seems the to be the LCDS. How can you push it on the public and not live by example again. This man flies in and out the country more than George W. Bush then. That is emissions filling the environment. He and his government officials are driving around in Prado’s (Which are gas guzzlers). The environment in Guyana is a environmentalist nightmare living. Clean up Guyana before you go preaching to the world. Stop giving away land to Brazilian farmers and start giving it to Guyanese farmers. Think Citizens first, foreigners second. Every other country put their own first. TIME TO PUT GUYANESE FIRST.
Long live Guyana in propersity and in my prayers.
A lot of fluff but very little stuff! How are these strategies going to be financed? Should we throw back, kick out the feet and wait for REDD to become green? I know the Prado class can afford to throw back and wait. However, it is not fair to the masses who live on just about $2 a day and who largely depend on remittances.
Guyanese have always been able to ’see opportunity in hard times’. Always. Even now.
Come to America…we’ve reliable electricity…then you can kick the bucket.
Seems like you’re admitting that GPL is beyond redemption. Just what else is beyond redemption? Tell me so I can be prepared.
The President cutting ribbon at Guy Expo, I hope the media is after him to answer questions on Dr. Ramsammy, Evan Persaud, Kwame Mc Coy, Roger Khan, corruption in the Auditor General’s report, over priced contracts, wasted money,Freedom of Information legislation, CLICO, torture, unemployment, crime, the Ministry of Health fire and the mounting of lawlessness he presides over. Hey, hope the government can account for the money GuyExpo recieves- media this is a story for you.
Yo mad. Yo want he pull they ads? They better toe the line. What you think this is some democracy?