LANDS identified in Lethem for the establishment of three commercial estates are now re-opened to investors for development.
Go-Invest Chief Executive Officer, Mr Keith Burrowes, made the disclosure during a meeting with potential investors held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, Greater Georgetown on Tuesday.
About 6 years ago, the former Administration had identified the lands but development was put on hold after it was found out that a contractor was building a factory inconsistent with established requirements.
The Government at the time also saw there was a need to re-visit some of the policies pertaining to the distribution and development of the land for commercial activities within this area.
Mr Burrowes said following the hold up, he lobbied intensely for the continuation of the development, and succeeded in getting approval from the then Administration, but shortly after, he was again asked to put works on hold.
He did not disclose the reason(s) for the hold up the second time, but said it caused him much frustration.
“It has caused me some embarrassment because I am not going to publicly come here and say that it is this agency and that agency is responsible, but I will say to you that Go-Invest is frustrated when we have 200 applications for that land and we have done assessments. I myself have assessed over 100 and we could not move forward,” he told the gathering of over 40 potential investors.
ALL NOT LOST
But, he said, all is not lost, noting that he has spoken with senior officials of the current Administration, and from the discussions, there is light at the end of the tunnel.
“We are hoping that the applicants for the first phase (zone) will be approved very soon and the other two zones. In total, if you were to complete all the lands that were available, it would amount to over 300 projects. We moving ahead with support from the policy-makers, so if there is anybody here, who have an application and you are still waiting to hear from us, I could give you the assurance that we are moving the process forward and one way or the other, you will hear from us very soon,” Mr Burrowes said.
The former Administration began to look at Lethem as an economic hub in 2003 and during its time in office, there were several high-level exchange visits by delegations from both countries.
According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) report, the economic zone is designed to take advantage of the Guyana-Brazil Highway, the hydroelectric facility and general support Guyana-Brazil cross border trade with the industrial zone in Boa Vista, while establishing Lethem as a major hinterland port.
It was noted that Lethem and the general Rupununi area has tremendous potential for agriculture, agro-processing, manufacturing, warehousing, light manufacturing, and port facilities through access to enormous markets in Boa Vista, Roraima State and Manus, Amazonia State.
BENEFITS
The Lethem Development Plan 2005-2010 noted that expanded commercial activity has the potential to better provide local and regional goods and services, support employment areas, provide employment and generally enhance the health and vitality of the local economy.

It said there is also an opportunity to integrate the developing transport network with planned commercial development so as to create community activity centres.

The plan stated that there is a definite need for the provision of more basic commodities in and around the community and mix-use arrangements targeting this need should be encouraged.

“Within the existing built-up area, the commercial shopping needs of the community are provided for predominantly by means of small neighbourhood-type units such as groceries, parlours, snackettes and liquor distribution enterprises,” the report said.

Lethem aside, Mr Burrowes said in the request for land, potential investors have to submit a project document on the intended investment. This document is reviewed by Go-Invest before the agency decides on engaging the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission.
Land, he said are granted where available, and once industrial lands are available, applicants are referred to the Ministry of Business.
The forum also heard that concessions are not granted based on the level of investment by an investor, but on the provisions outlined in the law.
As it regards Tax Holidays, these Mr Burrowes said are granted by the President on the recommendation of Go-Invest. And the investment agency makes strong cases for virgin projects.
On a different note, the Go-Invest CEO said the Government needs to pay more attention on packaging, and support small businesses that cannot afford to invest in packaging to meet export market.
This is an area he said Go-Invest will be paying strong attention to, but said businesses need to collaborate to satisfy markets that they have secured.

By Tajeram Mohabir