Stabroek Business News Briefs

Gouveia hopeful about August forum for tourism sector

Chief Executive Officer of Roraima Airways Captain Gerry Gouveia has told Stabroek Business that he is optimistic that the mid-August high-level development discourse being organized by government will embrace recommendations being prepared by a committee of tourist operators for significantly upgrading the local tourism sector. Gouveia has repeatedly told this newspaper that he believes that government ought to be spending much more on marketing Guyana abroad.

DEMTOCO names new MD

The Board of Directors of Demerara Tobacco Company has announced the appointment of Jason Fournillier as the company’s new Managing Director. A native of Trinidad and Tobago, Fournillier began his career with British American Tobacco in October 2004. His appointment took effect in May this year.
 
T&T firms urged to push ahead with FATCA compliance
Trinidad and Tobago companies are being urged to continue to press ahead to secure compliance with the provisions of the US Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) despite the recently announced six-month extension on the previous deadline set by Washington for the full implementation of the regulations. The deadline has moved from October 25 to April 25, 2014.

The US Treasury announced on July 12, that due to overwhelming concern from countries around the world, the implementation of FATCA would be deferred from January 1, 2014 to June 30, 2014.
Brazil sharing ethanol know-how with Guatemala

Brazilian ethanol industry  experts have concluded a two-day forum in Guatemala aimed at sharing their experience and know-how in the sector with sugar growers who want to expand the alternative energy sector.

Organized by the Guatemalan Sugar Growers Association (ASAZGUA) the forum was intended “to share experiences and reach agreements to develop production” of biofuels in Guatemala, ASAZGUA manager Armando Boesche was quoted as saying.

Guatemala’s sugar industry reportedly has the capacity to produce up to a 10 percent blend, meeting demand in the Central American country, Boesche said.

Costa Rica to host November China/Latin America – Caribbean seventh summit

Costa Rica is to host the seventh annual China Business Summit for Latin America and the Caribbean in San Jose on November 26 and 27.

The country’s Foreign Trade Minister Anabel Gonzalez told a media briefing recently that at least 800 participants are expected to engage in business meetings, bilateral meetings and conferences at what will be the most important business event of the year between the region and the Asian giant. The China Business Summit for Latin America and the Caribbean has been held annually since 2007 with the   venue alternating between China and a Caribbean or Latin American country.