GINA | GOVERNMENT INFORMATION AGENCY

85% Capital works completed in Region Six

Guyana ready to sign MOU on deportees with US – Dr. Luncheon

Education moving apace…… Two more schools to be commissioned

Cabinet approves Order for standardization of jewellery market

Region Seven Capital works on stream… will be completed by next month

Rice industry progressing

Signs of reduction in malaria cases in Baramita
- infected persons advised to consume all their prescribed medication

Cabinet starts appointments to State Boards, names GNNL's composition

Third AGM of PANCAP for November 12 and 13

Ogle Aerodrome expansion project to facilitate flights to neighbouring countries

Bayney Karran to take up ambassadorship in US next week

Congratulations to DDL on 'best rum in the world' win - Minister Nadir

Several travel operators attend Guyana tourism function in London

PANCAP Annual General Meeting concludes
- Steering Committee established, Communiqué established

Minister Gajraj clears air on granting gun licenses
- As Government defends position

Guyana’s Rice for Brasil market
– Brasilian Chamber of Commerce team satisfied with Guyanese business nterest

85% Capital works completed in Region Six

Georgetown , GINA, November 13, 2003

The Regional Democratic Council of Region Six ( East Berbice/Corentyne) has disclosed that capital works in the Region is 85% completed and that by December, 2003 , ongoing projects should be finalized for the year.
In the area of Drainage and Irrigation, rehabilitation of the Seawall Grand Canal, the head regulator at North and South Lesbeholden, the Zorgenveldt Canal, East Bank Berbice, the Number One Irrigation Canal at Crabwood Creek and the Yakusari Main Drain Joppa to Junction have all been completed.
Revetment of 400 feet of wall at Seaford and the construction of new irrigation checks/sluice at Number 44 Village are in progress while it is expected that with the construction of New Head Regulators in the Black Bush Polder area, there will be a greater efficiency of water management.
Ninety percent of the Region's road works are completed, including Gangaram, London Dam, Johns Well Street and Fyrish/ Gibraltar Branch Road . These roads cost $4.1M, $3M, $4.1M and $2.7M respectively.
Construction of the first phase of a new all weather road in Moleson Creek is underway as well. This will facilitate children attending the newly constructed Moleson Creek Primary School .
Roads in the two new housing schemes at Fort Ordinance are near completion and these will cost$ 4.1M and $2.4M.
Complete rehabilitation of the Crabwood Creek Primary School access road is in progress and works there include approximately 600 feet of revetment and DBST Chip Seal surface.
This road is in keeping with the promise made by His Excellency President Bharrat Jagdeo, to the parents of the children of Crabwood Creek. They had appealed to him to rehabilitate the road when he visited Berbice earlier this year.
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Guyana ready to sign MOU on deportees with US – Dr. Luncheon

Georgetown , GINA, November 13, 2003

Guyana has indicated to the Government of the United States its readiness to sign the proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the return of deportees.
This announcement was made by Head of the Presidential Secretariat and Cabinet Secretary at his last weekly post-Cabinet Media Conference.
The MoU was proposed to the US State Department when President Bharrat Jagdeo, during his trip to Washington in February, met the Deputy Secretary of State Mr. Richard Armitage.
They discussed deportees coming back to Guyana from the United States and President Jagdeo requested assistance from the United States Government for the rehabilitation of deportees on their return.
The specific requests by the Guyana Government, contained in its proposed MoU, had caused some delay in the countries affixing their signatures, as the American Government requested to review the proposal. The proposed MoU addresses all the issues affecting deportees, including:

•    Legal and compassionate treatment of deportees, particularly the conclusion of legal
issues
•    Access to their personal assets on their return to Guyana
•    Sensitive handling of health care matters.

The MoU allows deportees access to the rights, financial and other benefits that may have accrued to them. “We have noted that perpetrators of domestic violence seem to have gotten on the list of the unwanted, and are being deported with greater regularity from North America . Many of these are spouses of longstanding and may likely be the recipients of insurance, retirement benefits and liabilities, and the MoU has to anticipate what is happening in the American judicial practice with regard to deportees,” Dr. Luncheon said.
The United States Government at that time was willing to sign a general MoU on the issue of deportees' physical return to Guyana and not an agreement that contains specific requests. Subsequently, that Administration proposed that a separate MoU be signed at a later date to address the detailed concerns of the Guyanese Government.
However, the local Administration is firm on the view that the issue of deportees returning to Guyana must be dealt with by a single MoU.
Dr. Luncheon noted that there has been some improvement in the correspondence process between the two Governments.
The relevant agencies, including the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Office of the President were scheduled to meet last Friday to discuss the US Government's response. The HPS noted that this meeting did not come off and the parties, with the exception of the Ministry of Home Affairs, concluded the deliberation.
“The Office of the President and the Ministry of Foreign affairs went on with its own deliberations without the input of the Ministry of Home Affairs and the most recent draft has been suitably amended to make specific mention of what would be Guyana 's final negotiation point. Notice has already been provided to the American authorities of Guyana 's interest in concluding the signing of the MoU at a current time,” Dr. Luncheon indicated.
Dr. Luncheon noted that the MoU will not address a certain category of deportees, but deportees in general.
“I am not inclined to believe that the MoU would be revised to accommodate a specific category of deportees. We have to have the most general of MoUs that covers all conceivable circumstances, so that if tomorrow another category is brought in with some peculiar vulnerabilities, the MoU has a paragraph/article to address their concerns,” he said.
Government's inclination towards an MoU governing the treatment of deportees from the US was prompted by the action of the US authorities to increase the number of deportees coming home.

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) initially addressed the issue collectively, with particular mention of the influx into Guyana , Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago .
Over the past two years, deportees have been returned to Guyana in large batches, posing serious concerns to Government, since once here some of them revert to crimes of a sophisticated nature.
From December 1, 2001 to March 2002, 221 deportees have been returned to Guyana , in two categories- drugs and serious offences.
For this year more than 30 deportees came home.
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Education moving apace…… Two more schools to be commissioned

Georgetown , GINA, November 13, 2003

Improvement in the education sector is moving apace as this month two more primary schools will be commissioned in Region Three ( Essequibo Islands/ West Demerara).
Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Harripersaud Nokta, will deliver the feature address at the commissioning ceremony of La Harmonie Primary School on Sunday, November 16.
The second school, Uitvlugt Primary, will be commissioned on Thursday, November 20.
Both schools will be handed over to the schools' administration, in the presence of Regional officials and students.
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Cabinet approves Order for standardization of jewellery market

Georgetown, GINA, November 13, 2003

Cabinet has approved the request for an Order to implement a standardization process for gold jewellery.
Head of the Presidential Secretariat and Cabinet Secretary Dr. Roger Luncheon made this disclosure at his weekly post-Cabinet Media Conference held today.
Dr. Luncheon noted that the declaration of the national standards specification for gold articles marking requirements was a recommendation by the National Standards Council that Cabinet considered.
“Cabinet concurred with the Council's view that the market would be enhanced if the quality of gold articles sold was according to a National Standard and Cabinet approved the Order being made for the standard to be voluntary, since it was felt that market forces would enforce compliance and recruitment,” Dr. Luncheon explained.
According to the HPS, retailers and wholesalers in the jewellery industry will now have to indicate the karat of gold the jewellery is made of on the jewellery itself. This will be done in accordance with the Council's specifications, as provided for in the Order.
Dr. Luncheon noted that Cabinet does not feel that this is a huge imposition, as quality is important.
He was also of the opinion that the National Standards Council would have consulted with jewellers before approaching Cabinet.
The Cabinet Secretary urged buyers of gold jewellery, especially tourists, to be cognizant of what they purchase and ensure that they are quality products. The standardization system will ensure this, Dr. Luncheon added.
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Region Seven Capital works on stream… will be completed by next month.

Georgetown , GINA, November 13, 2003

The regional administration of Region Seven (Cuyuni/Mazaruni) has reported that capital works there are almost complete and that the ongoing projects for the year should be completed by next month.
According to the Regional Executive Officer, Gansham Misir, work on the Kamarang Hospital has been completed and staff will be moving over to the new building shortly. The staff had been accommodated temporarily at the Regional guest house while the hospital was under construction.
A four-mile stretch of road from Kamarang to Waramadong is 80% completed while construction of the dormitory, also at Waramadong, is still in progress, but about 75% complete.
The REO noted that materials were purchased by the region from Toolsie Persaud Limited and these were used to repair the roads from First to Seventh Avenue . Outlets were also installed to drain the water usually accumulated on the roadways during the rainy season.
This year, the region discovered several breaches on the seawall along First Avenue between Seventh and Ninth Streets. These included several cavities beneath the wall. The Region is therefore in the process of installing tools and sealing 500 feet of the wall.
Cleaning and placing more sand on the beach along the same area is also being done.
As a result of erosion at the Byderabo waterfront, revetment was done and carpentry work, including plastering and painting is being carried out on the Resource Centre in Bartica.
The region will also repair the internal road in the Bartica Secondary School compound by year-end.
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Rice industry progressing

Georgetown, GINA, November 13, 2003

Government has been working to enhance the rice industry by investing more resources into the sector. To date, there have been many achievements as the sector continues to progress.
The Guyana Rice Development Strategy, which covers the period 2001 to 2011, was formulated to create an integrated and sustainable rice industry that can produce, process and competitively market high quality rice to benefit all Guyanese. The Strategy consists of three general objectives. The first objective of the plan is to increase rice production and productivity to the point where Guyana becomes internationally competitive at an estimated 38 bags per acre.
This will concentrate on the formulation and improvement of national policies that support the systematic development of the industry. The strategy also focuses on creating conditions for rice farmers to access appropriate and state-of-the-art technologies and methods for efficient rice production on a regular basis, establishing systems to operate and maintain drainage and irrigation infrastructure in a sustainable manner, efficiently providing quality rice seeds of appropriate varieties to meet national demand, and creating systems that provide necessary support services to rice farmers in a sustainable manner.
The second objective is to improve the post harvest handling system to the point where quality rice is maintained or improved and quantity losses are reduced to a minimum. This caters for the reduction of post harvest losses from drying, cleaning, storage and transport to acceptable levels; maximizing recovery during milling, producing a marketable product at a competitive price; increasing profit margins in the rice industry by improving management of post harvest systems and adding value to rice and by-products, where feasible.
The third objective of the Strategy focuses on the creation of conditions whereby the Guyana rice industry will compete effectively in all targeted markets. This will ensure the creation of a system that regularly provides stakeholders in the industry with decision-making information; and organize an inter-disciplinary rice lobbying body that effectively projects the competitive advantages of Guyana's rice.
Recently, the European Union approved 24 M Euros to assist the Caribbean Region in improving the international competitiveness of its rice industry. The funds will be distributed in the CARIFORUM Region as a whole, but it is expected that Guyana and Suriname will be the major beneficiaries, since they are the only two exporters of rice within CARIFORUM member states.
The assistance being provided by the EU is a result of a Joint Declaration on Rice, signed in June 2002, between the EU and the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries, as part of the Cotonou Agreement.
The rice industry continues to make a significant contribution to Guyana's economy, despite many challenges on local and international markets.
Rice exports recorded by the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) from January to August amount to 123,000 tonnes. Guyana exports rice to several countries, including those in the Caricom Region and the European Union, and Haiti.

Statistics for rice exports for 2003 are:

Caricom – 30,401 tonnes
European Union – 71,161 tonnes
Overseas Countries and Territories – 15, 186 tonnes
Other Countries, including Haiti - 5,381 tonnes.

Rice production for this year is also significant and has been recorded at 179,569 tonnes.
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Signs of reduction in malaria cases in Baramita
- infected persons advised to consume all their prescribed medication

Georgetown , GINA, November 13, 2003

The Community Health Worker of Baramita, Region One (Barima/Waini) recently reported that there has been a reduction of malaria cases in the area.
The health worker reported this to Prime Minister Samuel Hinds and Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Harripersaud Nokta, on their recent outreach visit to the Region.
According to the Health Worker, he is in possession of an adequate supply of malaria medication which he prescribes to infected persons. However, he has noted that many infected persons experience a reoccurrence of the disease as they only take their medication for a period of two to three days.
The health worker stated that these persons stop taking their medication as soon as they feel better, a few days after it is prescribed.
As a result, the infection remains in their system and takes effect once again a few weeks or a month later.
Prime Minister Hinds and Minister Nokta therefore advised that infected persons are closely monitored by health officials and that all residents should be properly taught on how to use the medication.
Minister Nokta is also advising residents to ensure that they adhere to the health worker's instructions and take medication exactly the way it is prescribed.
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Cabinet starts appointments to State Boards, names GNNL's composition

Georgetown , GINA, November 13, 2003

The Administration is in the process of appointing members of the People's Progressive Party/Civic and the People's National Congress Reform to State Boards across Guyana .
Head of the Presidential Secretariat and Cabinet Secretary Dr. Roger Luncheon made this announcement at his weekly post-Cabinet Media Conference today.
The appointments are for the new anniversary year, as the life of the State Boards expire at the end of November and December .
Dr. Luncheon noted that the appointment exercise will be influenced by the decision of the leaders to appoint acceptable PPP/C and PNCR members to Boards in general.
However, he noted that for some Boards, as in the State Media, the exercise would also be influenced by the agreements made by the two leaders on the recommendations from the Bi-partisan Committee on Media and Monopoly dealing with composition of State Media Boards.
Under that agreement, membership would be extended to:

Workers' Representatives
Representatives of the two Leaders

The Consumers Association

The life of the Boards of GTV/GBC would be extended pending the merger of the two State broadcasting entities.
However, the Board of GNNL was approved by Cabinet. The members and Chairperson are:

Mr. Keith Burowes Chairman

Mr. Hubert Rodney Member

Mr. Mohamed Karrimullah Member

Mr. David De Groot Member

Ms. Supriya Singh Member

Mr. Tota Mangar Member

Representative, Member to be named

Consumers' Association
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Third AGM of PANCAP for November 12 and 13

Georgetown , GINA, November 10, 2003

The third Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Pan Caribbean Partners against HIV/AIDS (PANCAP) opened today in the Savannah Suite, Le Meridien Pegasus, Georgetown . The AGM will be held for two days, from November 12 to 13, 2003 under the theme Many Partners Building One Initiative .
The meeting focuses on the revision of progress made and challenges that may occur as the Region battles the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
Additionally, plans will be formulated on future activities to prevent and control the epidemic.
Speakers at the opening ceremony were Minister of Health Leslie Ramsammy; Chairman of the AGM and Assistant Secretary General CARICOM, Dr. Edward Greene; Chief Operating Officer, Caribbean Coalition of National AIDS Programme Coordinator Rene Mendonza and Founder and Coordinator of Caribbean Regional Network of people living with HIV/AIDS, Ms. Yolanda Simon.
Minister Ramsammy, in his welcoming remarks acknowledged the Regional efforts to increase treatment and care for the persons living with the HIV virus and noted that the region has to build on past success in the fight against the virus.
Other activities planned for discussion at the AGM are PANCAP's progress report on activities, status of anti - retroviral drugs, resource mobilization, care and treatment programme for OECS, and the structure and functioning of PANCAP.
An exhibition, to highlight activities by organizations and institutions, will also be mounted.
The Director of the Latin American and the Caribbean programmes and the Portfolio Manager of Global Fund will also make special presentations.
PANCAP recently hosted a five-day workshop on HIV/AIDS, Law Ethics and Human Rights in the Caribbean at the Cara Inn , Georgetown , Guyana .
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Ogle Aerodrome expansion project to facilitate flights to neighbouring countries

Georgetown , GINA, November 13, 2003

Travelling is always a pleasure as it allows you the opportunity to experience new places, climates and cultures. This hobby for some people, although delightful, can be affected by little snags that make it unpleasant. Like having to travel from Guyana all the way to Trinidad, and overnight in order to get to Venezuela . Well, the days when you have to bounce around the Caribbean to get to other countries will soon be over with the expansion of the Ogle Airport Incorporated (OAI).
This project will allow persons direct flights to Boa Vista in Brazil , Paramaribo in Suriname , Porto Ordaz in Venezuela , Barbados and Trinidad and Berbicians will not have to endure the long hours on the way to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport , Timehri.
The cornerstone for the expansion project was laid recently at the Ogle Aerodrome.
In August 2003, under a Memorandum of Understanding signed by Minister Xavier, OAI agreed with Government on a plan to develop Ogle in two phases over the next five years.
The first phase of the project will deal with mandatory safety improvements required by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and will include a new 2,500 foot runway parallel to the existing runway, a new terminal facility, development of the hard-standing aircraft taxi and parking areas, new and improved drainage, improved facilities for customs, immigration, air traffic control and health and fire services. This phase is expected to be completed by next year.
This will bring the airport to an international acceptable safety standard of operation in keeping with the required Environmental Management Plan.
The second phase will convert the first phase terminal into domestic operations only, extend the new runway to 4,000 feet and will provide for the construction of a full modern international airport terminal on the northern side of the present airport.
Ogle is the hub of all domestic travel and medical emergency transport out of the interior, processing about 50,000 passengers and 4,000,000 pounds of cargo annually with a fleet of 34 aircrafts.
The port-of-entry status, which will allow for operating hours from 6 am to 10 pm will cater for Regional traffic. There will be greater frequency of flights at more convenient times. This will boost business and tourist traffic in the region and support the development of the new CARICOM headquarters.
This project is expected to benefit the surrounding communities and the nation by creating more opportunities for doing business, and more jobs to satisfy the demand for new services that will be created.
In 1989, Government invited ICAO to audit Ogle and Timehri Airports and a United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) funded master plan was initiated for their subsequent development. This plan was finalized in 1993 and was approved by the late President Dr. Cheddi Jagan. The first modern hangar constructed at Ogle by Trans Guyana Airways located near the entrance of the Aerodrome, was the first Private Sector development project and was formally opened by Dr. Jagan in January 1993.
In 1998, Government agreed to complete the safety requirements recommended by the ICAO and decided to explore the possibility of having Ogle developed by private capital. Under an IDB-funded study carried out by an international qualified company, Norconsult, it was determined that the private investment option was feasible and it was recommended that the airport be placed in private hands.
Government offered this option to members of the Aircraft Owners Association and in May 2000, five investors opted to invest in this project. The members Yacoob Ally, Beni Sankar, Michael Correia, Gerry Gouveia and Anthony Mekdeci formed a consortium called OAI and entered into formal negotiations with the Government to develop Ogle into a full municipal airport.
On November 5, 2001, the OAI signed an agreement with Government to manage and develop Ogle Airport and assumed control on December 1, 2001 with Anthony Mekdeci as Airport Manager.
A necessary and essential requirement of the airport's expansion and development was obtaining an Environmental Permit, which took five years after widespread public consultation and three separate studies. In July 2003 after ensuring that the concerns of the former owner of the Airport, GUYSUCO, were dealt with, the Government formally issued a 25-year renewal lease for two terms.
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Bayney Karran to take up ambassadorship in US next week

Georgetown , GINA, November 13, 2003

Attorney at Law and the former Ambassador to Venezuela Bayney Karran will leave Guyana next Tuesday (November 18) to take up his new posting in Washington , D.C. as Guyana 's Ambassador to the United States .
This is according to Head of the Presidential Secretariat and Cabinet Secretary Dr. Roger Luncheon at his media briefing today.
Ambassador Karran was introduced to Cabinet at its last meeting on November 11
He replaces Dr. Odeen Ishmael who is currently the Ambassador to Venezuela .
Dr. Luncheon noted that in his introduction to Cabinet, “Mr. Karran was provided with Cabinet's views on the importance of proactive representation of Guyana's national interest in the America Capital, the home of its Parliament, the Headquarters of the International Financial Institutions, many important and influential international organisations and bodies and the location of many important American political, social and religious bodies. Karran was reminded of the need to represent Guyana and its interests in all of these bodies.”
According to Dr. Luncheon Karran would be joining a strengthened Guyanese diplomatic community in Washington , D.C. and also should be ably supported by the experienced Dr. Havelock Brewster at the International Monetary Fund and the recently appointed Dr. Gobin Ganga and Ms. Elzaretta Ramotar at the World Bank.
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Congratulations to DDL on 'best rum in the world' win - Minister Nadir

Georgetown , GINA, November 13, 2003

Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Manzoor Nadir has extended congratulations to the Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) on its winning the Gold Award for its premium El Dorado 15-year-old rum. The winner was announced at the International Wine and Spirit competition, recently in London .
Minister Nadir expressed his congratulations to DDL on this prestigious accomplishment, on behalf of the Government and people of Guyana .
He noted that this award reflects the company's production of high quality rum and the international community's acceptance of the product.
He noted that the company must be commended for winning the award for the sixth consecutive time from a large field of other highly developed products.
In this month of Tourism Awareness, the Minister noted that this win would put Guyana a step forward on the international tourist market.
In this regard, Minister Nadir expressed gratitude to the management and staff of DDL for their dedication and service and their support in promoting Guyana as a tourist destination.
Over 3,000 people, representing major companies throughout the world were present at the Gold Award ceremony in London . To win the gold award, DDL had to achieve over 90 points, out of a total 100.
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Several travel operators attend Guyana tourism function in London

Georgetown , GINA, November 13, 2003

Travel operators at the opening session of the World Travel Market Day activities in London were impressed by products and services displayed at the Guyana booth.
Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Manzoor Nadir, noted that foreign companies were very impressed and as a result, bookings and entries for 2005 are already in train.
Several company-promotional presentations were made by various tourism companies in Guyana .
The Guyana Tourism Authority and the Guyana High Commission in London hosted the social activity.
Several local companies, such as, Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL), Guyana Sugar Corporation (GUYSUCO), Bettencourt's Limited, Wildlife Explorers, Tower Hotel, Shanklands Resorts and several other companies, participated in the event.
Guyana marked its tenth year of attending world travel activities, under the theme ‘ Guyana – South America 's last Frontier'.
A World Travel Market (WTM), from November 10 to 13, also formed part of the tourism awareness drive in London .
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PANCAP Annual General Meeting concludes
- Steering Committee established, Communiqué established

Georgetown, GINA, November 13, 2003

At the conclusion of the Third Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Pan Caribbean Partners against HIV/AIDS (PANCAP) a decision was taken to have a Steering Committee established.
Minister of Health Leslie Ramsammy made this announcement at a media conference, Le Meridien, Georgetown.
He noted that the Committee would have Executive functions with specific emphasis on programme implementation as its priority focus.
The Committee would include 20 members, representing various groups from PANCAP, Caricom, Non-Caricom countries, the private sector, civil society and persons living with HIV/AIDS.
The AGM was a two-day programme, held at Le Meridien Pegasus, Georgetown, from November 12 to 13, 2003, under the theme Many Partners Building One Initiative.
The AGM focused on the revision of progress made and challenges that may occur as the Region battles the HIV/AIDS epidemic. To this end, it was noted that the price for Antiretroviral has been reduced.
Plans formulated on future activities to prevent and control the epidemic resulted in the participants coming up with eight new programmes, to be implemented over a 5-year period. The programmes are expected to benefit countries in the region that are mostly affected by the epidemic.
Despite accomplishments in the fight against HIV/AIDS, participants noted several challenges still facing the region.
Some of these included reduction of stigma and discrimination against persons living with HIV/AIDS, lack of legal framework to protect persons living with HIV/AIDS, the regions' ability to test and monitor progress made and the capacity to implement programmes.
Present at media conference were the Minister of Health Leslie Ramsammy; Chairman of the AGM and Assistant Secretary General CARICOM, Dr. Edward Greene; Chief Operating Officer, Caribbean Coalition of National AIDS Programme Coordinator Rene Mendonza; Founder and Coordinator of Caribbean Regional Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS, Ms. Yolanda Simon and Caribbean Youth Ambassador, Michael Alexander.
An exhibition, to highlight activities by organizations and institutions, was also mounted.
PANCAP recently hosted a five-day workshop on HIV/AIDS, Law Ethics and Human Rights in the Caribbean at the Cara Inn, Georgetown, Guyana.
During the coming year, a special Committee is to be designed to protect the rights of persons living with HIV/AIDS.
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Minister Gajraj clears air on granting gun licenses
- As Government defends position

Georgetown, GINA, November 13, 2003

Minister of Home Affairs Ronald Gajraj today defended the Government's position on the granting of gun licenses at the Disciplined Forces Commission (DFC) hearing.
The Commission observed the procedures and stages the application has to go through before a person is granted a gun license.
Minister Gajraj stressed that only the prescribed officer can grant a gun license. However, Chairman of the Commission Ian Chan wanted clarity on why the Minister of Home Affairs has an input in the granting of gun licenses.
Chan noted that the Standing Order 91 of the Police Act Chapter 17:02 states that the Minister has input in granting gun licenses, and the Bar Association is opposing this.
Chan pointed out that Section 45 of the Firearms Act allows the Minister to make regulations, which state "no person who surrenders any firearm, ammunition or explosive during any period prescribed by order of the Minister and otherwise in accordance with such an order, shall be prosecuted under this Act for illegally acquiring a firearm…”
However, Minister Gajraj said that a prescribed officer is identified in granting gun licenses. He outlined the procedures for applying for a license.
The applicant has to apply to the Commissioner of Police with two testimonials and why he needs a gun license. The Commissioner in turn would send the application to the Division in which the applicant resides.
The Divisional Commander and his officers would make inquiries of the applicant and if these are favourable, would notify the Commissioner of his approval; if the Commissioner is satisfied with the report, the Divisional Commander grants the license.
Minister Gajraj added that if an overseas person is also applying for a firearm the Special Branch has a relationship with Interpol to obtain relevant information.
He pointed out that if the application is rejected as stated in Section 18 of the Firearms Act, an appeal is made to the President.
Gajraj said businessmen, farmers and Amerindians are given priority for gun licenses.
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Guyana’s Rice for Brasil market
– Brasilian Chamber of Commerce team satisfied with
Guyanese business nterest

Georgetown, GINA, Thursday, November 13, 2003

Members of the Brasil-Caricom Chamber of Commerce/Guyana-Brasil Chamber of Commerce are currently locked in discussions on trade and investments between companies of Guyana and Brasil.
President of the Chamber, Ms. Regina Macedo, also of the Sao Paulo Chamber of Commerce, expressed optimism about discussions being held. She was at the time briefing the media after a meeting with members of the Guyanese Chamber of Commerce and the Private Sector Commission.
She said that the discussions are directly linked to agreements signed between Presidents Bharrat Jagdeo and Lula of Brasil, as it relates to the Guyana/Brasil Integration Project.
Macedo noted that the mission’s intention is get a feel of the interest in trade by the Guyanese business community and also to examine ways of further expanding trade between the two South American neighbors, but more over to get a first hand feel of the expectations by Guyanese companies of what is expected of their Brasilian counterparts.
It is the intention of the mission also, to get a closed look at trade barriers, if any still exists between the two states and on its return to Brasil, will work to eradicate such obstacles if the need arises.
The Brasilian Chamber, in collaboration with their Guyanese counterparts will seek out solutions to fulfill agreements made between Guyana and Brasil that have not yet been ratified. Macedo said this could only be done with the fullest cooperation of both states. She said her organization, on its visit here, had made a commitment to many Brasilian firms to seek out trade opportunities in Guyana. The Guyana-Brasil Chamber is also examining closely, the infrastructural framework to boost trade opportunities, whilst remaining optimistic about the establishment of Guyana Consulates in Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.
She said her organization is comprised of and represents businessmen interested in doing business with Guyanese companies.
President of the Guyanese Chamber of Commerce, Edward Boyer noted that the Brasil mission can only lead to the strengthening of trade relations between the two states. He said those relations are expected to grow with the construction of the Guyana/Brasil road, the completion of the Takatu Bridge and the dredging of a deep-water port in Guyana.
Already, Boyer stated, there is an order for 30,000 tons of Guyana’s rice originating out of Essequibo, to be exported to Brasil. He said Guyana stands to benefit, as a trading partner of Brasil because of the latter’s weight in international trade negotiations at the World Trade Organisation level.
Boyer cited transportation of exported commodities out of Southern Brasil, as much more distant than it would be via Guyana, lending weight to the necessity for the Roraima Integration Project.
Executive Head of the Guyana Office for Investment, Geoffrey DaSilva singled out Guyana’s Ambassador to Brasil, Cheryl Myles especially, praising her for input into the existing trade relations between Guyana and Brasil. He said he is pleased with the way investment discussions are going between the two countries and the region as a whole, referring to the mission’s meeting with Deputy Secretary General of Caricom, Byron Blake during this visit.
Brasil is eyeing accessing Caricom markets through Guyana, DaSilva said. He noted that with the involvement of a Sao Paulo-based Chamber of Commerce, Guyanese companies will be moving into the industrial heartland of the South American giant.
He said virtually every week there is interest in investments shown by different Brasilian companies.
There is a move by Guyanese companies to target Brasilian markets. Dadanawa Ranch is currently increasing its herds in an effort export beef to Brasil, while soya bean Brasilian producers are examining projects in Guyana.
In the mean time mechanisms are being put in place by both sides for security and policing along the road and borders.
Honorary Counsel to Guyana in Boa Vista, Paulo Valle exclaimed that there have been more agreements signed between the two states in the past three years, than there have been in the last thirty years. He said there are attempts by the Brasilian Government to speed up the process of the Roraima Integration Project, by seeking to recommence the construction of the Takatu Bridge.
President Bharrat Jagdeo will visit Brasil over the weekend, where he will hold discussions with President Lula. He will also be a part of a television panel discussion.
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