Regional chambers urge reconvening of parliament for meaningful dialogue

Regional chambers of commerce have joined the calls for political maturity to quickly resolve the crisis situation resulting from the prorogation of the Parliament.

The Association of Regional Chambers of Commerce (ARCC) in a press release on Wednes-day said that it notes with deep concern the issues emanating from the proroguing of Parliament, such as the expressed intentions of not having any dialogue, the calls for protests, the narrow-minded call for a boycott of businesses because of a political agenda, and the unease created among Guyanese.

The release said that the ARCC views with “skepticism” the government’s rationale that proroguing of Parliament will result in constructive dialogue and compromise with the opposition when three years in Parliament did not achieve any such results.

These actions, according to the press release, have serious implications for businesses across the length and breadth of Guyana, peace and good order. Evidently, there are genuine concerns from all parties, the ARCC said, while adding that regardless of the history of the lack of compromise and progress from previous inter-party dialogue “we are calling on all sides to lay their differences on the table and act as mature leaders, duly elected by the people of Guyana, and have objective dialogue in parliament for the best interest of Guyana.”

The ARCC noted that the interests of the Guyanese people and the private sector must be paramount in this dialogue.

“We believe that this nation’s best interests must always take priority over petty politics, party agendas, and personal motives. We ask that all decision makers work for the best interest of this dear land of Guyana. We call on all parties to review their positions with greater objectivity, Guyana must not suffer. We cannot afford for our present investors and potential investors to lose confidence in our economy, or it will have damaging effects on this nation,” the private sector body said.

According to the ARCC, all are aware that this is the period when businesses project to do well and everyone expects that the season will truly be peaceful and merry. The release said that “instead a cloud of uncertainty now hangs overhead threatening a private sector that contributes significantly to the revenues generated for the running of this nation. Is this how the private sector benefits? The chosen way forward will better inform the private sector and the public of the real political agenda.”

The ARCC said it was joining with the rest of the business community in expressing “hope for the demonstration of maturity and the speedy resolution to this crisis situation.” It also called on all chamber members to ensure that their membership remains vigilant and shun any attempts aimed at intimidating them.

Meanwhile, the Bartica Chambers of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) and the Bartica Interim Management Committee (IMC) have urged the opposition “to think carefully the way forward and not engage actions that can hinder our country’s progression.”

Stressing on the need to work together, the BCCI and IMC in a joint press release appealed for good sense to prevail among the lawmakers of the country.

The release called on political leaders, both on the ruling and opposition sides, to embrace meaningful dialogue in the interest of sustaining peace of mind for the citizenry and by extension further propel national development.

“This is in light of the fact that the citizens of this land have placed the development guidance of this nation in the capable hands of individuals who we are hoping will, at this juncture – during this current legal suspension of our country’s Parliament – be able to put aside political and personal differences,” it added.

The two groups further urged government and opposition leaders “to find the best possible solution in the midst of what seems like a time of glaring impossibility. We would like to remind our politicians that the entire nation is watching and is paying close attention to whose and what interests are being placed on the front-burner.”

Further, it was stated that all have already placed their faith in both the government and opposition “to do the right thing which should translate to a soon reconvening of the Parliament. We are hopeful for speedy political reconciliation and are expectant that political maturity will be seen and not merely heard.”