Dear Editor,
‘Business Page‘ of Sunday Stabroek of August 28, 2011 can be accused of scare-mongering.
In presenting a ‘business-like’ perspective of the recently laid Telecommunications Bill, the author has, for some at least, revealed a chilling prospect of the future of the ‘engine of growth’ sector of this economy.
For the prediction of the possible demise of GT&T implied in his analysis, is hardly one to cheerfully contemplate, from any viewpoint, whether as a consumer, career worker, supplier, or stakeholder of any kind. The eventual reduction, decimation of, and disappearance of a founding service institution from out of the midst of our business community, can have telling effects now unforeseen even for its architects – with the doubtful promise of replacement sufficiently comprehensive as to compensate for all those who would be affected.
Ironically it is the very communication technology that will facilitate careful examination of the projected dismantlement of a substantial overseas investment, by informed counterparts, which must compare the longevity of their particular interests in a business environment which inheres fragility and uncertainty, with more open and consistent players elsewhere.
Tentative as they must be, entrepreneurs will be compelled to resort to advice from their countries’ official representations, where they exist, on the prospective viability of contemplated initiatives.
There is even the extreme possibility that one publicised show of reluctance, or change of option, could set off a negative chain reaction to our investment climate – a situation, heaven forbid, which can impact untowardly on the establishment of (productive) partnerships with relevant local private sector undertakings.
Is this all ‘wishless’ thinking, or should our private sector ‘privately’ take notice, and start giving serious consideration to implications even us laymen cannot perceive.
Yours faithfully,
E B John
