A huge Brazil trade delegation continued talks with local officials and businessmen yesterday and heard the Brazilian ambassador identify the road to Lethem and a reliable power network in the area as pivotal to deeper ties between the two neighbours.
Brazilian Ambassador to Guyana Luis Gilberto Seixes de Andrade, while addressing members of the delegation and the local business community at the International Convention Centre at Liliendaal on the East Coast of Demerara yesterday, told the gathering that the two countries are “beginning to know each other” and according to him, discussion between members of the visiting delegation and the local business community is an aspect of the beginning of relations in investment between the two nations.
De Andrade stated that the commissioning of the Takutu Bridge in Region 9 “was the turning point in relations between the two countries,” and against this background, he noted that the infrastructure should be seen as a link between the economies of the two countries.
Noting that the possibility of a reciprocal visit by a Guyanese delegation to the state of Roraima in the neighbouring country exists, de Andrade stated that the Brazilian authorities are committed to working towards the achievement of the objective which would see improved economic relations, resulting in an increase in trade.
Ambassador de Andrade cited the completion of the Linden/Lethem road project as a priority, one which would complement the benefits offered by the Takutu Bridge and according to him, the establishment of a safe renewable power network in the area should also be examined.
Tourism and Commerce Minister Manniram Prashad, in his feature address, told those gathered that Guyana has tremendous opportunities for investment, as he emphasised that the authorities have provided foreigners with favourable investment opportunities in the various sectors here. He noted that the tourism sector is among many in which investment can be made as he alluded to an expected 5,000 persons from the neighbouring state who will attend the annual Rupununi Rodeo in two weeks time. According to Prashad, Guyana saw a significant increase in tourist arrivals in 2009 when compared to 2008, noting that the increase did not include arrivals at the ports at Moleson Creek in the Corentyne area, Lethem and at the Ogle Airport.
Noting that “Guyana is open for investment,” Prashad stated that currently some 55 plots of land have been allocated towards the setting up of a commercial zone in the Lethem area, on most of which construction has commenced.
Chairman of the Private Sector Commission (PSC) Captain Gerry Gouveia told the gathering that relations between the two countries should see Guyana’s economy being catapulted into rising trade and investment, which would see unprecedented growth in the country’s economy. Noting that this country’s economy “may not be wealthy but healthy,” Gouveia stated that it is one of the free ones in the hemisphere. He said that in the past Guyana “made a bad mistake,” noting that the country has always, “looked north.” He cited the language barrier as a factor which contributed to this.
On this note the PSC chairman expressed hope that Portuguese and Dutch will be embedded into the school curriculum as he reiterated, “we must be able to break the language barrier.”
Almir Sa, President of Sebrae Boa Vista, one of the organisers of the delegation’s visit to Guyana which also includes Go-Invest, the PSC and the Guyana Tourism Authority among others, expressed hope that discussions over the next few days will see fruitful results. He said that the anticipated agreements between members of the PSC, the local chambers of commerce as well as their Brazilian counterparts should provide opportunities for investors from both countries.
Speaking to Stabroek News at the conclusion of yesterday’s session, Adalberto Pires, who is part of the Brazilian delegation, stated that he plans to invest in trade and he expressed hope that discussions over the next few days will be successful. He said that he has already allocated funds towards the setting up of infrastructure in the border community of Lethem for his import/export business, Ponta Seixas Ltda, and according to Pires, it is important to know the laws regarding trade and investment on these shores.
Like Pires, other members of the delegation expressed hope that discussions with local business persons over the next few days will be fruitful, many of them citing the language barrier as well as their knowledge of the laws regarding trade and investment in Guyana as key factors in their business plans.
At the conclusion of yesterday morning‘s session, members of the local business community and their Brazilian counterparts discussed investment partnerships which can be pursued in the various sectors including tourism, trade, agriculture and information technology. These one-on-one engagements will continue over the next two days before the 50-member delegation returns to Brazil on Friday
