….at opening of new business in Linden
The economic development of Linden continues with the opening of the country’s first metals and fabrication workshop in Watooka, Linden, by Prime Minister Samuel Hinds. The JB Metals & Fabrication Workshop, owned by Joseph Baskaran, adds tremendous benefits, not only to the Linden community, but to the country as a whole, since it will reduce the inconvenience and waiting time that businesses and other entities face when having to ship machinery parts to other countries for repairs or replacement. The shop has provided employment for 25 persons, most of whom will be engaged in building machinery and other parts from scrap iron.
Rodrigo De Paulo, Executive Director of Guyana Sand Port Inc., and business partner to Baskaran, in his remarks, commended the Government for the tremendous support it is giving to the business sector in Guyana. He added that Government’s encouragement has helped both the business community and the country to develop, since it realises the importance of supporting ventures that contribute to the country’s development.

“Guyana is a safe place to invest and work because of the policy of the Government,” De Paulo stated.
Baskaran also reiterated that it is the support of the Government and the enthusiasm of Lindeners that have motivated him in this venture.
Head of Go-Invest, Geoff DaSilva, also encouraged Lindeners to become more aggressive in terms of capitalizing on the opportunities that are available in Linden, since that community is strategically located and forms part of the network linking Mahdia, Lethem, Brazil and other areas. He pointed out that the main transmission line from Amaila Falls and the fibre optic cable will also pass through Linden. He added that although Linden is strategically positioned, its strength is not in its location, but in its people.
Prime Minister Hinds highlighted Government’s attention to the bauxite situation in Linden as that company has been eclipsed by new operations in many parts of the world.
He made reference to the Linden Economic Advancement Programme (LEAP), which, he said, has seen tremendous success in achieving its aim of promoting a change in people’s way of thinking. This is reflected in the small percentage of Lindeners currently working in the bauxite company as opposed to previously when more than half of the population worked with that entity.
“Linden is now bigger and brighter than it was before; and it is time to stop referring to it as a depressed community and look at the development taking place in some areas,” the Prime Minister said.
He  added that there are great opportunities for Linden to become an area of diversified economic activities in the future.
Linden, Region Ten, is recognised as a potential hub for trade and exploitation of Guyana’s immense natural wealth, made possible through the Lethem road linking Guyana and Brazil.
Recently, a group of investors from the SEBRAE Group-Brazil met with the Linden business community during a business conference to foster areas of cooperation, partnership and business development.
.           The forum, which aims at cultivating opportunities for collaboration with businesses in Brazil, was organised by the Regional Democratic Council, through the Linden Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Development, Linden Enterprise Network (LEN), and the Mayor and Town Council. (GINA)