GINA | GOVERNMENT INFORMATION AGENCY

Collaborative planning for 2004…
- President meets Private Sector

A GINA Feature

Government is committed to the development of the Private Sector. These organizations play a critical role in Guyana's growth.
It is in this context that the Administration has been working with the private sector on several ventures to create the environment for development.
To further this objective, the Head of State has been meeting periodically with the Private sector to update the body on Government's plans and policies and to solicit its views on current issues.
Presidential Adviser on Investment Maniram Prashad said the meetings are a regular feature that the President conducts.
"At the beginning of every year, the President meets the Private Sector and this year is no exception," he said.

President Jagdeo meets Chambers of Commerce, Guyana Manufacturers Association
On January 29, the President met the Heads of Chambers of Commerce across Guyana and the Guyana Manufacturers Association.
Traditionally the Chambers of Commerce has been left out from the President's Private Sector meetings. This time 12 Chambers of Commerce from across the country were included in the meeting that settled various issues the individual Chambers are experiencing.
Prashad described the lengthy meeting as successful, as it enabled frank and constructive discussions between the parties. It was also well attended.
Out of this meeting, Government and the Private Sector agreed to hold a business summit during the second quarter of this year. A small committee was established to make preparations for the event.
The Committee, led by Prashad, comprises GMA President Ramesh Dukhoo, President of the West Demerara Chamber of Commerce Joshua Safeek, Representative of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce Brian James, President of the Essequibo Chamber of Commerce Samuel Arjune, President of the Berbice Chamber of Commerce Rohan Murray and President of the Association of Regional Chambers Mumtaz Ali.
The Committee is tasked with preparing position papers and the agenda for the Summit. This Committee will be joined by other Private Sector Organizations as the preparations continue. The Committee will be meeting soon to start preparations.
Other issues the President discussed with the Private Sector included progress on the Berbice Bridge, the road from Lethem to Georgetown, the current state of affairs in the country and the political and economic situation.
It was also arranged for the Private Sector to meet the Minister of Finance Sasenarine Kowlessar for its input in the 2004 Budget.
Commenting on specific issues raised by the Chambers of Commerce, Prashad noted that the four Chambers in Berbice voiced concerns to the Head of State about the sloth in progress with regard to the establishment of a Berbice Industrial Site. The Chambers are proposing that if the New Amsterdam Town Council is delaying the process of obtaining the land for the site, the Administration should look for other available land in Berbice, as the need is urgent.
President Jagdeo in turn, agreed to examine the proposal, but made no commitment on the issue.
The Linden Chamber of Commerce reported to the President that business in Linden had improved considerably with the ongoing Linden Economic Advancement Programme (LEAP), while the Port Kaituma Chamber of Commerce reported on the state of affairs there. Government agreed to work with the Chamber to address problems affecting the community.
The President was told that the airstrip is not in the best of condition. The airstrip is slated for repairs this year and it is one of the priority projects.
The President tasked his Adviser with following up on all regional investment and business matters before the next quarterly meeting schedule for the first week of April.
A meeting between the Commissioner of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) Kurshid Sattaur and the Private Sector to discuss systems in the Customs Department under the new legislation was also addressed.
According to Prashad, those at the meeting were appreciative of the decisions taken and the initiatives to be worked on. They also voiced appreciation of the President’s initiative to meet the Private Sector quarterly.

President Jagdeo meets Forestry Producers Association

On February 9, the Private Sector meetings continued with President Jagdeo meeting members of the Forestry Producers Association at the Office of the President. The meeting saw discussions that set the tone for the forestry sector in 2004.
They had specific problems relating to acreage fees and roads in hinterland regions among other areas.
Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Other Crops and Livestock, who has responsibility for Forestry, Satyadeow Sawh, and Chairman of the Guyana Forestry Commission James Singh were present. Prashad later described the meeting’s outcome as favourable, since relevant matters were placed on the front burner.
"They expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the meeting," Prashad recalled/

President Jagdeo meets Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association.

The President’s consultations with the Private sector continued on February 11 with the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association.
Gold and diamond production over the past year has improved significantly and the meeting focused largely on this.
He added that the GG&DMA expressed appreciation on behalf of its members for efforts Government made last year to assist with the positive outcome.
The international price for gold during a significant part of 2003 was low and a 50 per cent reduction was granted to the miners in the fees they pay Government.
"They were very grateful for the relief the President gave when the prices for gold was low. According to them, as a result of the relief, they were able to stay in business," he said.
The miners also welcomed the security interventions made by Government in the sector during 2003. According to Prashad, miners voiced their concerns to the President about the level of gold and diamonds that is still undeclared. They promised to work closely with the Administration to ensure that this is reduced.
Mining accounts for 30 per cent of Guyana's Gross Domestic Product.
The Head of State in turn briefed the private sector on Government's plans for mining and ways in which Government and the private sector can explore cooperation.
Prashad described the meeting as "cordial."
The Miners applauded the effort by the President to include them in his private sector consultations.
A follow-up meeting has been organized with the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), the GG&DMA and the Claims Owners. At this forum the parties will develop strategies to increase gold and diamond production and declaration.
Even though the Association is a private one, it is not a member of the larger private sector bodies, Prashad explained.

President meets Tourism & Hospitality Association of Guyana

The Head of State met the Tourism & Hospitality Association of Guyana on February 12, when he reiterated his Administration's commitment to the Tourism Industry in Guyana.
Present at the meeting were the Association's President Jerry Gouveia and its members. They had concerns about the issuance of concessions. The President also reiterated Government's commitment to granting concessions to aid the development of the Tourism Industry. The Head of State told the Association that Government is looking to put measures in place to expedite, through the Guyana Revenue Authority, the sector's access to concessions.
According to Prashad, THAG also raised the issue of representation on the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) and the Cheddi Jagan International Airport Board. The President+ promised to look into the matter.
The Presidential Investment Adviser described the meeting as "successful," adding that "it went well and was very interactive."
These consultations would continue, with the President meeting with the Guyana Rice Producers Association, the Small Business Association and the Aircraft Owners Association.
TOP