Notwithstanding the recently reported loss of a US$5 million investment to neighbouring Trinidad and Tobago arising out of what was widely believed to be a politically motivated ‘run around’ experienced by Guyanese-born Ronald Ramjattan, proprietor of the Baron Foods brands of sauces and condiments, the door remains open to such sought – after investment opportunity here as the St. Lucia-based businessman may be pursuing, Stabroek Business has been informed.
The Sunday Stabroek of December 17 reported that Guyana lost out on the multi-million-dollar investment opportunity because the prospective Guyanese investor was given a runaround here. However, the Stabroek Business was informed during a discourse with Business Minister Dominic Gaskin and Go-Invest Chief Executive Officer Owen Verwey that an investment proposal from Ramjattan the size of which he declined to disclose may still be active at the present time. “The ball is in his court at this time. We are supportive of the entity coming to Guyana,” Verwey told Stabroek Business.
The reported loss of the investment opportunity had been linked to the fact that the investment approach during the PPP/C government had been made by Ramjattan, a relative of the then high-ranking Alliance for Change functionary Khemraj Ramjattan who is currently serving as Vice President responsible for Public Security in the current administration. Khemraj Ramjattan had been a fierce critic of the PPP/C government at the time.
