A large delegation of Brazilian entrepreneurs is set to tour Linden before month end, in what is being seen as a major kick-start to trade between Brazil and the mining town.
A 60-member team, mostly made up of entrepreneurs who have special interests in the wholesale of goods and in tourism, will be trekking the trail from Brazil to Linden and further on to Georgetown from the March 20 to March 27.
The team would be on a familiarisation mission to have a firsthand look and feel of the roadway link between Lethem and Linden and the wharf and water way access. The mission is being led by Sabrae Boa Vista, a business organisation which extends throughout the length and breadth of Brazil. It comprises businesses which make a financial turnover of no less than between US$2M and US$400M annually.
According to information emanating out of the Region 10 Regional Democratic Council, the main aim of the expedition is to prove to potential investors that it is possible for them to proceed with business ventures utilising the Linden/Lethem road and the wharfing facility in its present condition.
Prior to the opening up of the Takutu Bridge, which links Guyana and Brazil, businessmen and the governments of the two countries have been visualising the prospects of economic opportunities that may be possible to foster development. According to local regional officials, Sabrae Boa Vista is cognisant of the fact that there is need for serious development along the Linden to Lethem road, in addition to the reinforcing of approximately ten pivotal bridges along the route.
However, they are confident that in its present condition traffic can be safe. It is their hope that once the possible heavy flow of traffic along the roads commences, the government of both countries would be forced to facilitate the necessary upgrades.
Linden is counting on heavy trade to reinvigorate its economy and a key to realising this goal is the Demerara River, which links Wismar and Mackenzie and presents a clear passage to the capital city of Georgetown, from where water access to the Caribbean and the rest of the world is possible. The Brazilian team would be examining terminal and wharfing facilities available in Linden, which is expected to save the Brazilians approximately twelve to fourteen days turnaround time, especially when going through the Amazon. Another crucial ingredient is the availability of sufficient fuel supply. As such, the team would be led to explore and tour the Esso/Sol fuel facilities available in the area.
In addition to the familiarisation with the route and available wharfing facilities, the group would be utilising the opportunity to establish relationships with local business entrepreneurs, both at the Linden and Georgetown legs.
As outlined by an RDC official, the team would be greeted with much pomp and ceremony when it arrives at the GNIC terminal at Christianburg. A meeting is scheduled at the newly constructed Egbert Benjamin Conference Centre for businessmen from both counties. To this end, the RDC, the Linden municipality, the Linmine Secretariat, the Linden Chamber of Development and Commerce and the Linden Tourism Association have been collaborating to make the visit a success.
In the last quarter of last year, Regional Chairman Mortimer Mingo was visited by an official from Sabrae Boa Vista and afterward there was a follow-up meeting of the parties in Lethem in October last. Subsequent to the meeting, the Linden officials were invited to participate in a trade fair in Boa Vista, which was followed by another business meeting in Boa Vista. Present at that meeting also were head of Go-Invest Goff DaSilva, Randy Persaud from the Office of the President of Guyana and representatives from the Private Sector Commission.
Subsequent to these meetings, the Region 10 RDC had engaged several Linden groups, including local government organisations, the Linden Chamber, LEAP, the Linmine Secretariat, representatives of the religious communities and other non-governmental organizations, with the expectation that these arms would filter the information o the wider community.
The potential for small business development in areas such as hospitality services, snackettes and restaurants, small and medium-scale trading and the provision of translation and interpreting services, among others, are likely spin off of the new trade venture. This would also see the creation of needed jobs likely to be opened up in existing sectors as well as in those new ones. According to one leading Linden businessman, “Words are not enough to talk about the significance of the creation that road link between Guyana and Brazil and its access to Linden, particularly as we contemplate the economic potential for Guyana that reposes in access to the massive Brazilian market.”
