PRESIDENT of the West Berbice Chamber of Industry of Commerc, Mr. Imran Sacoor, has said given the challenges of rice and sugar, Berbicians should begin to look at diversifying their business.Mr. Sacoor, who was elected President when the Chamber held its Annual General Meeting on Wednesday, said as an agriculture-driven community, farmers need to adopt better technology and farming methods, including hydroponics and green house farming, if they are to remain competitive as the cost of inputs continue to rise.
The Republic Bank Manager said farmers also need access to packaging plants wherein they can have options to market their produce.
Cheaper cost of financing, he said, is also needed to support the agricultural initiative and farmers need to adopt a cultured approach to seek out foreign markets and export their produce rather than place reliance on domestic market.
The Chamber was also worried about the crime situation. Crime continues to be a hindrance to businesses and this must stop, the Chamber said, if businesses are to develop and expand.
Through the social impact programme, the Chamber strongly believes that once youths are gainfully occupied, incidents of malpractice in society will be reduced.
The Chamber will engage and work with the regional authorities to implement programmes that can be beneficial to the younger generation, and to create employment.
The Small Business Bureau loans and grants made up one of the access points highlighted to push this initiative forward.
Over the next two years, the Chamber will take up a number of initiatives, all geared to promoting commerce.

Expo and Trade Fair
This includes the launching of Region 5 Expo and Trade Fair in April 2016, the launching of a beaching destination at Paradise, West Coast of Berbice on August 2015, a Business Magazine and recreational park with wifi facilities for families once a suitable land site is located, among others.
Mr. Sacoor said the Chamber will continue to advocate for D’Edward/Rosignol to be a township since it meets the required needs for consideration.
He said the Chamber is prepared and ready to work closely with all stakeholders in the best interest of development of the Region, and by extension, Guyana as a whole.
The Chamber president said too that the entity has already commenced work on bringing tourism to Region 5. A meeting was held with Permanent Secretary from the Ministry of Tourism during this year, on making the Paradise Beach on the West Coast of Berbice a tourism destination for both local and overseas visitors.
Also addressing the AGM held at the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) was outgoing President Mr. Shabeer Baksh. He stated that the Chamber has come a long way in bringing development to businesses and the community, and is confident that the newly-elected body will continue to bring about changes.
Other elected Chamber officials are Mr. Alvin Chowarmootoo (Vice President), Mr. Khemraj Malchand (Secretary), Mr. Ewort Sangster (Treasurer), Mr. Niron Singh (Assistant Secrtary/Treasurer) and Mr. Pradeep Bachan (Public Relations Officer).
Mr. Sacoor contended that the Chamber and business community have the potential to transform the way commerce is conducted and urged all businessmen and women to play their roles in the transformation process.