By Tajeram Mohabir
Furniture giant Courts Guyana Limited has diversified operations, opening a $65 million state-of-the-art optical store at its Main Street, Georgetown headquarters.

Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin praised the investment, saying that it reflects the company’s confidence in the economy. Courts has been in operation here for over two decades, offering quality services to the Guyanese people, and the new store, Courts Optical will no doubt benefit from its effective marketing strategies.
The new store, aside from providing a service to the public, has also created numerous jobs. Mr Gaskin said the role of government is to create an environment where businesses can be profitable, expand and persons have better paying jobs. But he said job creation relies heavily on private sector investment and one of the most important performance indicators is the level of Foreign Direct Investment it attracts. Guyana has not been producing regular Foreign Direct Investment data, and as such, it is unable to measure government’s performance in this very critical area.
This situation, the Business Minister said will be corrected, and strong emphasis will be placed on using reliable data to aid decision-making. Over the years, the government has been investing in infrastructural development to make the economy more attractive to investors, but more needs to be done. Mr Gaskin said a proper transportation network is needed to move goods and people efficiently throughout Guyana. And this aside, he said greater attention is being paid to beef up security so that Guyana can be a safe place for citizens and businesses which operate here.
The ministry will also be paying strong attention to improve doing business in Guyana. Access to electricity and financing are two major bugbears facing the business sector, and Mr Gaskin said plans will be put in place to have these critical issues addressed. Minister of Public Health Dr George Norton was pleased to support the latest addition in the line of eye care in Guyana.

QUALITY SERVICE
“Courts continue to make significant contributions to the country’s economy and has delivered standard and quality services to the Guyanese people,” he said, expressing confidence that the same level of service and customer care will be delivered by the staff of the optical store. Guyana has over the years made noteworthy strides in the delivery of eye care at the primary, secondary and tertiary levels. The National Ophthalmology Centre at Port Mourant, Berbice, Region 6, has transformed the landscape of the Health Sector with the help of the Cuban doctors, Dr Norton said.
Eye care treatment at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation has also been enhanced as well as the services at the regional hospitals throughout the country. Dr Norton said the administration will continue to embrace the private sector and non-governmental organisations in creating institutional links and network to enhance eye care and wellness among the population. Courts Managing Director Clyde DeHaas said the launching of the new store is a proud moment for the company as it broadens its product range from furniture, electronics and household appliances. “I am confident that we will make a mark in the optical sector,” he said, pointing out that though the investment is new to Guyana, it is not to other Courts Caribbean stores. About two years ago, Courts introduced optical stores at its Caribbean outlets, and to date, it has 19 such facilities in countries including Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados and Jamaica. Mr DeHaas is confident that the company’s corporate knowledge and direct contact with suppliers will positively impact the new store, and thanked Ministers Gaskin and Dr Norton for supporting its establishment.