THE sixth edition of the glossy Business Guyana Magazine was launched on Saturday with Georgetown Chambers of Commerce (GCCI) President Lance Hinds calling for excitement in the local economy to be generated both inside and outside of Guyana.

The mandate of the chamber is to advocate policies, stimulate trade and investment, connect businesses, sustain economic growth, and expand member opportunities with the aim of contributing to a stable and sustainable economic and social environment in Guyana, wherein businesses can prosper.

Speaking at the launch at the Pegasus Hotel, Hinds said the magazine is a manifestation of the chamber’s overall mission.

“It is based on the belief that credible information and guidance is critical to decision-making about investment, whether foreign or domestic,” he said.

The informative publication touches on a number of areas, including getting the most out of social media for businesses, the forestry sector, the changing role of the private sector, and the real estate enterprise.

“The magazine, as always, is designed to be easy but extremely informative and authoritative reading, providing enough to stimulate and excite, with a comprehensive view of Guyana’s economy, along with the perspectives of the private sector and Government,” the business executive said.

The GCCI believes conceptually that the private sector must continue to expand significantly in order for the economy to deliver the revenue, wealth, and job creation critical to the nation’s future.

ENABLING ENVIRONMENT
Hinds told the gathering of private sector officials at the launch that, to facilitate this growth, it is critical that there exists a supporting enabling environment that is a reflection of how businesses function in the 21st century.

The GCCI believes that it is no longer enough to ask and nudge for the desired business environment, and accordingly has begun to develop a series of policy inputs to articulate what precisely it would like this environment to look like.

To this end, the chamber has developed a blueprint for an economic framework that it thinks would be instrumental in its overall effort. This framework focuses on the following pillars: Entrepreneurship, Innovation, Small-Medium Enterprises Growth and Expansion, Investment/Funding, Information Communication Technology (ICT) 4D, and Overall Growth and Wealth Creation.

Hinds also said it has been a challenging year on some fronts. He noted that international commodity prices have once again caused a contraction in production in the agriculture and mining sectors.

On that point, in his ‘Opening Notes’ in the magazine, he stressed that the chamber cannot over emphasize the need for policy and initiatives to diversify the economy.

Hinds, Chief Executive Officer of Brain Street, a leading information and communication technology (ICT)-based firm on Albert Street, Queenstown, called on all stakeholders to ensure that the faith shown in the economy is rewarded, and the excitement in generated both inside and outside of Guyana.

DESERVING OF PRAISE

He praised those companies that continue to push expansion of their products, telling the gathering of private sector executives that their efforts are admirable, and that, as business stakeholders, they all have a responsibility to ensure that the investments are secured.

The business executive said the sixth edition of the Business Guyana Magazine is particularly special for the chamber, as it was published during the observance and celebration of the 125th anniversary of the chamber as a private sector organisation, the oldest in Guyana.

“This publication would not be possible without the support of our advertisers, many of whom I believe have supported this magazine since its inception. On behalf of the chamber, I thank you for your continued support.

“Let me also take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to the contributors who submitted articles for this magazine. It is the high standard of your content that drives the continued success of our magazine,” he said.

The sponsors of the publication are Digicel Guyana, Guyana Oil Company Limited, Bank of Nova Scotia, Metro Guyana, Silvie’s General Store, Impressions, and Games Xpress.

 
By Tajeram Mohabir