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President addresses Caribbean Investment Conference

- wraps up London visit

Georgetown , GINA, November 3, 2006

Wrapping up his three-day visit to London to promote investment in Guyana, President Bharrat Jagdeo yesterday addressed the Caribbean Investment Conference titled, “Transforming the Caribbean Economy: New avenues for investment” at Lancaster House. Also addressing the forum was host of the Conference and British Prime Minister Tony Blair as well as Prime Minister of Barbados, Owen Arthur.

According to the Guyana High Commission in London, more than 200 senior Government functionaries and business leaders from the United States, Europe and the Caribbean participated in the event which included a series of workshops aimed at identifying further avenues for investment in the Caribbean region.

Delivering his closing remarks, the Head of State spoke of the need to move from “talking of strategies and visions” to identifying practical steps to generate investment and jobs and to expand the region’s economies.

President Jagdeo alluded to Guyana’s National Competitiveness Strategy as an example of how countries in the region have worked to identify these steps and informed other leaders of the imminent establishment of Guyana’s National Competitiveness Council.

The President said the Caribbean region should not be seen as a monolith as he pointed to the opportunities investors could attain from Guyana’s unique geographic position between the Caribbean and South America.

He thanked the British Prime Minister for his initiative to hold the conference. He noted that the responsibility for taking forward the identified investment opportunities rested with the Caribbean’s public and private leaders at the event.

“It’s our job now,” President Jagdeo said, adding that all participating in the conference should return to their countries and start work to encourage new investment to impact on the development of their countries and the Caribbean region as a whole.

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Agri-sector too, preparing for CWC

Georgetown, GINA, November 03, 2006.

Preparations are being made for the production of quality food in adequate supplies to satisfy the demand of the thousands of tourists expected in Guyana from March 27 to April 09 during the hosting of the Cricket World Cup (CWC) 2007 games.

A forum was held today for hoteliers, restaurateurs, farmers, agro processors, exporters and meat producers to discuss the necessary arrangements that must be made to address the need for agricultural produces.

The activity was organised by the Guyana Marketing Corporation, Ministry of Agriculture, Guyana Office for Investment (GO-INVEST) and CWC Local Organising Committee (CWC/LOC).

According to Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud it is essential that preparations are made and that pertinent information is given to producers in order that they make the necessary adjustments.

Food creates an impact on people and it is therefore important to ensure adequate supply of quality products. There is even a possibility that markets could be developed for Guyana’s products after CWC depending on the quality produced during the event and the consumers’ satisfaction.

Producers were urged to focus on quality, taking into consideration sanitary and phyto-sanitary conditions which have now become a requirement in food production. A recently formed phyto-sanitary committee held its first meeting today.

Minister Persaud pointed out that Guyana is the only country in the Caribbean that enjoys food security and preparations must be made for it to penetrate the $3B market for food that exists within the region.

He pledged government’s support through GMC to assist in the production of quality products. If necessary, additional resources will be made available toward this end.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the CWC/LOC Karan Singh expressed satisfaction with the initiative to host the forum which fits into the wider programme of making Guyana ready for hosting the super eight games.

He noted that it is a historic occasion for Guyana and some 35 000 visitors are expected to visit. He urged Guyanese to assist in ensuring there is adequate and comfortable accommodation.

General Manger of GMC Nizam Hassan said the objective of the forum is to ensure that there is no market failure and that the demand is met for all types of agricultural produce. It also seeks to ensure that the supplies are adequate so that prices remain stable and also to promote Guyana as a supplier of quality, fresh produce and processed products.

Producers were urged to ensure that appropriate post-harvest practices are adhered to at all times and that focus is placed on quality, appropriate packaging, handling and transportation. Hoteliers and restaurateurs were also advised to enter into simple contracts with the producers.

Following the official ceremony, there were group discussions on the necessary plans to ensure adequate supply of food before and after CWC.

As part of preparations to successfully host CWC in Guyana, the Sunset Legislation was passed on November 03 in the National Assembly indicating government’s commitment to the process.

The ICC/CWC West Indies 2007 Bill 2006 called the “Sunset Legislation” is an Act to make provision for the fulfillment of Guyana’s commitment to the efficient and effective staging of ICC Cricket World Cup West Indies 2007 and for related purposes.

It will also serve to bring together the separate existing provisions of the law into one piece of legislation since protections are already enshrined in the various laws of the country.

Some of the restrictions in the Act for CWC include the prohibition of certain advertisements-no person shall publish or display any advertisement that relates to or is connected to CWC 2007 that is false or misleading. If found guilty of this, a fine of $3.2M will have to be paid by the guilty party.

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Cheddi Jagan Dental Centre now offering VCT

Georgetown , GINA, November 3, 2006

More than 400 persons are receiving attention at the Cheddi Jagan Dental Centre since the establishment of the Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) site for HIV/AIDS.

The new programme set up in September is a partnership initiative of the Cheddi Jagan Dental Centre, the Ministry of Health, the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) and Colgate Palmolive.

Staff of the Ministry’s National AIDS Programme Secretariat (NAPS) are facilitating counselling and testing.

Today the VCT site was officially launched at the Cheddi Jagan Dental Centre as a means of ensuring that persons who visit the centre benefit from overall health evaluation.

Director of NAPS Dr. Shanti Singh pointed out that all counselling and testing will be treated with strict confidentiality and every dental facility in Guyana will be offering the service. This undertaking will be spearheaded by Dr. Joanes Jean, Director of the Cheddi Jagan Dental Centre.

Guyana ’s dental health services were based on tooth extractions but with oral health closely connected to general health, the need for education about HIV/AIDS is necessary, Dr. Jean said.

The centre should not be seen only as a place for dental care but one where holistic health services and guidance are provided to patients who may have several ailments, Health Minister Dr. Leslie Ramsammy said.

He said that a paediatric unit will be established at the dental centre in 2008. During the launching, the dental centre paid tribute to the first batch of students to start the Dentistry programme at the University of Guyana this year.

The programme is being supported by the Ministry of Health and the University of Liverpool in England.

The seven students, all females have already attained qualifications in the science fields at the University of Guyana.

In 2002 the Ministry of Health designated November as oral health month and all 10 administrative regions have since been hosting activities for its promotion. Oral health is being observed under the theme “Good oral health means good general health.”

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Indian Vice-President for official visit

• dedication of Providence Stadium highlight of visit

GINA, Georgetown, November 2, 2006

Indian Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat will arrive in Guyana on November 6 for a two-day visit. He will participate in the dedication ceremony for the Providence Stadium, East Bank Demerara.

The Indian Vice-President will call on President Bharrat Jagdeo and is expected to hold talks with senior government officials and Opposition leader Robert Corbin.

Today, at a press briefing India’s High Commissioner to Guyana His Excellency Avinash Gupta said that the Vice President will be signing three bilateral agreements - cultural exchange programme 2007 & 2009, gainful occupation of diplomats hosted by Guyana and the establishment of the Rabindranath Tagore Resource centre at the University of Guyana that will be equipped with computers, literature and digital video discs containing information about India.

Rabindranath Tagore was a renowned poet and Noble prize winner in literature.

He has left a legacy of over 50 volumes of his poems, and he is also the author of several volumes of short stories and a number of novels.

Mr. Gupta said this will allow Guyanese primarily university students to understand more about India so they can be inspired to study in that country.

Gupta is hopeful that Vice- President Shekhawat will also be able to sign the US $2.1 M agreement for the installation of traffic lights in Georgetown.

The Vice- President will receive the key to the city from the Mayor of Georgetown Hamilton Green.

He will visit several sites including the Mahatma Gandhi Monument located at the Promenade Gardens, the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre and the National Museum.

Along with the Vice President’s entourage will be journalists from 18 media houses covering the official visit.

Vice-President Shekhawat’s visit will serve to enhance the strong bilateral relations existing between the two countries.

Guyana and India formally established diplomatic relations on May 26, 1966, when Guyana became an independent country. India provides scholarships for Guyanese students under the Indian Commonwealth Scholarship Programme and Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation Programme.

India agreed to waive the balance of Rs.28.78 million owed by Guyana to India against the first Credit Line of Rs. 100 million extended by India in 1989.India has also offered to help Guyana to combat crime.

The construction of the Providence Stadium is being built through a US$6M grant and a US$19M soft loan from the Indian Government.

Mr. Shekhawat was sworn in as the 11 th Vice-President of India on August 19, 2002. The senior leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party succeeded Krishan Kant.

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Three hospitals to get ECG machines

• donated by women’s group

Georgetown, GINA, November 3, 2006

Three health institutions in Guyana will each be receiving an Echo Cardiogram (ECG) machine to strengthen their capacity to provide cardiac services to Guyanese.

The equipment were donated by the Women’s Club of the Indian High Commission and will be used at the Suddie, New Amsterdam, and the Georgetown Hospital.

The ECG machines utilise sound waves to examine the shape, notion and blood flow of the heart.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health Hydar Ally received the equipment on behalf of the Ministry of Health at the Indian Cultural Centre in Bel Air Gardens on November 2.

Mrs Rekha Gupta, wife of Indian High Commissioner Avinash Gupta said that the club will continue to support several humanitarian activities.

The Permanent Secretary while lauding the club’s contribution also praised the Indian government’s funding for the construction of the Providence Stadium for Cricket World Cup (CWC) 2007.

India has been a key supporter in some of Guyana’s main cultural events, and the drive to improve the information technology capacity through the introduction of the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation programme.

The group has provided financial support to the Asian disaster fund, food hampers to victims during the 2005 flood in Guyana, and for students to undergo studies in Cuba. The Guyana Cancer Society also received $100M from the women’s club.

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Inclusivity a catalyst for enhanced governance

-Dr. Henry Jeffrey

Georgetown , GINA, November 3, 2006

Minister of Foreign Trade and International Cooperation Dr. Henry Jeffrey last evening reiterated the President’s call for more inclusivity and political cooperation as a catalyst for advancing the framework of governance.

The endorsement was made while debating the President’s speech made at the Ceremonial Inauguration of the Ninth Parliament on September 28.

Dr. Jeffrey said “the task head of us is to utilise all our resources to properly assess our condition and make the kind of interventions that will result in the greatest possible benefits for our people.”

He added that Guyana is placed in a very dynamic world environment in which the government is forced to respond to development in a timely and creative fashion if it is to be effective.

The Minister echoed the Head-of State’s call for greater involvement by all stakeholders.

“For small and poor countries to survive it is near impossible to effectively deal with rapid change if the response is not inclusive.”

Dr. Jeffrey referred to an extract from the President’s speech which stated that “I have already signalled my intention to join the political opposition and find innovative ways to work together to solve our problems,” noting that the invitation remains open.

“With this kind of inclusivity as a backdrop at various stages in his presentation the President touched on issues, which if pieced together logically, can provide something of a meaningful framework of how he sees Guyana being located economically in the regional and global arenas,” Dr. Jeffrey posited.

He proposed noted that the initial port of call for any Caribbean leader should be a commitment to the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), noting that the President has subscribed to this notion.

Dr. Jeffrey alluded to the President’s speech which stated that “we are provided with an opportunity to move resolutely forward with the deepening of the regional integration process especially as it relates to the CSME.”

Reference was also made to the President’s call also for establishing greater links with other partners, which include strengthening relations with Latin America and continental neighbours, which he said will feature highly in the foreign policy agenda over the next few years.

The Minister argued that countries with open, outward-looking economies have development much faster than those with a closed approach.

Members on both sides of the House were challenged to recommit to the task of deepening the political framework with a view to ensuring that Guyana realises it full potential in all areas including improved governance and economic competitiveness.

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Contributions of elderly recognized

Georgetown, GINA, November 3, 2006

Several elderly citizens were recognized recently for their contributions to society at separate functions in Georgetown and Anna Regina as part of activities in observance of the Month of the Elderly.

At the ‘The elderly in concert’, at the St. Joseph’s High School on October 29, prominent senior citizens and some over 90 years were presented with tokens by officials of the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security.

Elderly citizens in Anna Regina, Essequibo also received tokens at a luncheon in their honour.

Over the years government has shown great interest in the welfare of senior citizens and has implemented several measures to make their lives more comfortable.

Recently, Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon announced that they will benefit from a five percent increase in pension, effective from January 2007. This year pensioners are enjoying a 75 percent increase in their grants.

It is now easier for pensioners to uplift their pensions without having to travel long distances and they also benefit from a waiver in water tariffs.

Other activities that the elderly participated in during the month of the elderly were an ‘elderly day’ at the Botanical Gardens, a ‘sip and chat’ at the Linden Constabulary and a ‘luncheon and day out’ at the Fair Field Community Centre Mahaicony. Many were also given health checks.

Activities coordinated by the Ministry were held countrywide to encourage the elderly to become more involved socially.

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Biographical Data of Indian Vice-President

GINA, Georgetown, November 3, 2006

Bhairon Singh Shekhawat was born on October 23, 1923 in the village of Khachariawas, District Sikar known as Rajasthan.

Mr. Shekhawat completed high school but was unable to finish college due to his father's untimely death. He worked as a farmer and an officer sub-inspector in the police before turning to politics.

He joined the Bharatiya Jana Sangh Party in 1952 and later became a member of all eleven Legislative Assemblies except Rajasthan’s.

When the Jagirdari Abolition and Resumption Bill were introduced in the State Assembly in 1952, Mr. Shekhawat wholeheartedly supported the Bill and pressed for early and effective land reforms.

His political career was not always smooth. He was imprisoned for 19 months for upholding democratic values and constitutional proprieties.

He served as the Chief Minister of Rajasthan three times, from 1977 to 1980, 1990 to 1992 and 1993 to 1998.

Upon election to the position of the Chief Minister, he launched landmark programmes such as Antyodaya, Food for Work and Apna Gaon Apna Kaam, with focus on poverty alleviation.

His efforts in conceiving and successfully implementing poverty alleviation programmes were recognised in India and abroad.

There were no communal riots in the State and there was a spectacular rise in the literacy level all over the State of Rajasthan under his leadership.

Fluent in Hindi and English, Mr. Shekhawat is a powerful orator who promoted the culture of meritocracy in the bureaucratic placements by successfully steering the three coalition governments headed by him in the State of Rajasthan.

He has been highly sensitive to security issues, especially cross border infiltration, smuggling of weapons’ and narco-terrorism and has always highlighted them. During the period December 1998 to August 2002 he served as Leader of the Opposition in the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly

His personal relationships have always transcended party barriers which were evidently manifested in his election as India’s 11 th Vice-President in 2002. He was elected to a five-year term by the Electoral College following the death of Krishan Kant.Mr. Shekhawat was a member of the National Democratic Alliance at the time of election.

In his long, eventful and transparent political career, making friends and not foes has been his creed.

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New Ogle runway commissioned

• In compliance with ICAO standards

Georgetown, GINA, November 03, 2006.

The new Ogle runway was today inaugurated advancing the Ogle Development Programme which seeks to develop the Ogle Aerodrome into a municipal airport.

The 2,500 feet by 60 feet runway was constructed under phase I of the Development Programme which is being undertaken at a cost of US$1.5M. In August 2002, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between the Government of Guyana and Ogle Airport Incorporated (AOI), which is a private company leased by the Government. OAI agreed on the plan to develop the aerodrome in two phases over the next five years.

The first phase sought to address mandatory safety improvements required by ICAO and included improved drainage and facilities for customs, immigration, air traffic control and health and fire services.

The second phase will convert the first phase terminal to domestic operations only and expand the width of the existing runway to 100 feet and increase the length to 4,000 feet. It will also see the construction of a terminal building at a cost of US$500,000.

During a commissioning ceremony today, Minister of Transport and Hydraulics Robeson Benn said completion of the runway is evidence of infrastructural development in the country, which is consistent with government’s vision.

President Bharrat Jagdeo in his address at the opening of the Ninth Parliament on September 28 said there are exciting opportunities in the country’s infrastructure development. This, he noted will not only complement private sector development but also begin the integration of Guyana with others in South America.

Minister Benn pointed out that the air transport sector plays a vital role in the development of Guyana since it also creates a linkage between the coastal areas and the hinterland.

He committed government’s support to the continued development of the sector whether it is to improve infrastructure or enhance safety of operations. There is great need for improvement in safety to ensure that passengers travel in comfort and this issue must be dealt with in a holistic way to focus on issues such as narco-trafficking and terrorism, Minister Been said.

Chairman of OAI Michael Correia said commissioning of the runway is another indication of progress taking place in Guyana and is evidence of an excellent partnership with the private sector, government and international donors.

Project Coordinator Anthony Mekdeci said when the entire development project is completed it will provide an expanded hub for air traffic in the Caribbean to hinterland tourist destination and to South American connections.

Upon completion, the airport will accommodate landing of a 50-passenger aircraft while the terminal will have the ability to process 200 passengers daily. The terminals will be located at the eastern end of the airport with the entrance to the northern end.

It will cater for international flights to location such as Boa Vista, Porto Ordaz, Paramaribo and Trinidad and Tobago.

The Environmental Construction Permit from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for expansion works to the aerodrome was granted in 2004.

During the early 1980s there were concerns about the safety at the aerodrome since the runway was located within close proximity to the hangers.

The International Civil Aviation Authority in 1989 conducted an audit of the Ogle Airport through the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority. This resulted in the introduction of a master plan in 1993 for Ogle aerodrome and the now Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA). The plan resulted in relocation of the Ogle hangers to the southern end of the runway.

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