THE businessman, who was the brainchild behind the anti-investment ad which was placed in two local newspapers, has issued an apology to President David Granger and the Government and people of Guyana.

On Thursday, Minister of State Joseph Harmon disclosed that a letter of apology in relation to the newspaper ad, which had urged potential investors in Guyana to go elsewhere, was addressed to President David Granger.
That letter, which was signed by Siri Persaud – General Manager of Eco Potenza Industries – was circulated at Cabinet when it met on Tuesday, February 20, according to the Minister of State.

In a letter of apology, Persaud reportedly expressed regret for placing the advertisement in the newspapers. It appeared in the Stabroek and Kaieteur Newspapers on Wednesday, February 7 – the same day that hundreds of international, regional and local investors had converged at the Marriott Hotel for the opening of the Guyana International Petroleum Business Summit (GIPEX 2018) – a first for the country.

“The intent of the ad was to bring public attention to what I believe to be GO-Invest failure to fairly and equally represent me as an investor in Guyana, and its genesis arose out of my sheer frustration in dealing with that agency,” a section of the letter states.
According to Persaud, it was never his intention to discredit Guyana as a place for investment but rather to stir up discussions on GO-Invest.

“It was never meant to dissuade any investor local or foreign from investing in Guyana but rather to highlight shortcomings and encourage public discussions concerning improvements to that important investment agency. I apologise for the content of the advertisement and its corresponding effects, including any embarrassment it may have caused my country and the Government,’’ Persaud was quoted as writing.
Ministers of Government had slammed the mastermind of the ad, saying that the move was unpatriotic.

Just days ago, the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) condemned the intellectual author of the paid advertisement.
In a press release, the GCCI said that it viewed the mischievous statement as anti-national and anti-developmental and believed that such a position should not be condoned by any Guyanese.

“The Chamber wishes to reiterate its support for investment in Guyana, which can accelerate economic growth and augment the welfare of the people,” GCCI said in a release.

The GCCI said that it welcomed investors to Guyana and remains supportive of policies and acts which would promote private sector development and by extension, economic development.