…says Minister Manniran Persaud
GOVERNMENT has earmarked this year $75M to improve the facilities at the Lethem Industrial Estate.
This is according to Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Manniram Prashad during his presentation on the 2010 budget debate before the National Assembly.
“The Honourable Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, in assessing the performance of the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, has granted in specific targeted areas an increase in this year’s budgetary allocation for the ministry to further advance the work it has been doing,” he said.
“The Lethem Industrial Estate is in close proximity to the newly opened Takutu River Bridge at the border of Guyana and Brazil. This estate holds tremendous prospects due to the road linkage between Georgetown and Brazil, which will substantially increase trade with Brazil’s northern States,” he stated.
He insisted that the significance of the Lethem Industrial Estate to the future development of Region Nine (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo) is of “utmost importance” with the objectives being: to create employment for the people of that region; to provide an economic base for Lethem and the region as a whole; and to boost industrial development and economic growth.
The Ministry of Industry will be commencing works on roads, drains, and culverts at the Estate in the upcoming weeks, he revealed.
In 2009, the ministry would have also expended close to $50M in infrastructural works to develop the commercial zone in Lethem, and to date, over 55 applicants have been processed to conduct business in this area, and ten companies have already started construction.
He said next week, a 50 member team from Brazil will be visiting Guyana “to visit most of our resorts and also meet with the local business community”.
Also, Minister Prashad said the ministry, through its Small Business Unit, held several bamboo and other craft training seminars and workshops countrywide.
He noted that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) have contributed significantly to the economic development of Guyana, especially in terms of job creation thus a lot of attention.
“In Guyana, small businesses represent about three quarters of total business activities, and make a substantial contribution to the generation of employment and income,” he said.
Alluding to the consumers, he said 2009 presented many challenges for them , and through a proactive approach by his ministry, the rights and interests of consumers were protected.
He assured that the ministry will continue to overlook the prices and quality of goods and services being offered so “as to ensure that consumers are not being ripped off”.
Prashad pointed out that in 2009, there were no fare increases in public transportation, and his ministry will continue to work with the various associations to ensure that the mini-bus owners get a fair deal and the travelling public is not fleeced.
He said in 2009, the prices of chicken at the markets were relatively stable, and there were no instances of shortage.
He said in 2009, Guyana for the first time did not have to import chicken, even during the Christmas season, adding, “I have been assured by all the stakeholders, including the Guyana Poultry Producers Association, that in 2010, we will have a surplus for export for the first time, and we are currently eying the Trinidad market”.
He said in order to successfully equip consumers with the information necessary to make wise choices as well as to inform them of their rights and responsibilities, the ministry used several strategies in 2009 to ensure that  information was disseminated throughout the country, including informative live weekly radio and television programmes, daily consumer tips in the newspapers, distribution of fliers, booklets and school talks, and collaborated with several other organisations that give support to consumer advocates.
Turning to tourism, he posited that 2009 was a successful and eventful year for tourism in Guyana, as the ministry embarked on a strategy of “realising our potential”.
Because tourism has been growing and expanding, and has seen excellent return investments, he declared, “I believe that tourism is the industry of the future for Guyana.”
He said in 2009, Guyana saw a record- breaking year for arrivals with a nine per cent increase over arrivals in 2008, and according to a Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO) report, only four countries – Guyana, Cuba, Jamaica and Saba – have registered an increase for the year 2009, with Guyana recording the highest percentage.
He announced that this year’s January was the best January ever, with an encouraging 14 per cent increase in arrivals.
He insisted that Guyana is now a more popular and known tourist destination as a result of excellent and effective marketing promotions in the international arena, and Guyana has been attending international trade shows, and also hosting familiarisation tours.
He said Guyana was granted approved destination status by China in September 2009, allowing Chinese tourists to travel to Guyana “providing an excellent avenue to boost arrivals and investment in Guyana”.
He also alluded to domestic tourism which he said is critical to the success of any destination, and 2009 was an record year for domestic tourism promotions as thousands of Guyanese travelled to various destinations within Guyana.
He also outlined that 2009 was an excellent year in which greater diversification and tourism expansion in key areas were achieved, such as bird watching, eco tourism, adventure tourism, wildlife, community-based tourism, agro tourism, sports fishing, sports tourism, yachting and cruise.
He said in excess of 500 persons were trained in the hospitality industry in 2009, adding, “We plan to train over 1000 persons in the hospitality industry in 2010.”
He said Guyana has seen an increase in the number of new investments within the tourism sector over the past year, some being new guest facilities at Kaieteur and Tukeit; improved air access and infrastructure to help boost tourism, such as Berbice River Bridge, the improved Ogle Airport, Takutu Bridge, telecommunications, and new facilities at #63 Beach.
He said in 2009, his ministry took a soft approach to the implementation of the tourism regulations in Guyana to ensure that all stakeholders were properly briefed and sensitised, and 2010 will see the enforcement of these regulations to ensure the “improvement of quality, standards, service and safety in the hospitality industry”.
He said Guyana has become an attractive meeting and conference destination, and the Guyana International Conference Centre hosted a number of national, regional and international meetings and events.
He also touched on some of the work being done through the National Competitiveness Strategy.