Does competition exist in local industries?

Part 3

 

Overview

For the past two weeks, the articles have been focused on the issue of competition. Last week’s article sought to use the concept of market structure to determine competitiveness within industries in Guyana, with focus being placed on the bauxite and gold industries. It was established that most of the output of these industries is exported and faces competition on the international market. At first glance, the bauxite industry is uncompetitive. Although one may classify the industry as duopolistic in nature from the local and production side, at the global level, the industry faces much competition from other major global players. The importance of this industry to the Guyana economy could however change with access to cheaper sources of energy, which could lead to the emergence of value-added activities in the domestic economy and bring the uncompetitive nature of the industry into sharper focus.