PSC, THAG report…
– priority focus on Linden-Lethem road
CHAIRMAN of the Private Sector Commission (PSC) Mr. Ramesh Dookhoo disclosed, yesterday, that the organisation has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with stakeholders to exploit opportunities in the Lethem/Rupununi/Brazil region. He told a press conference that, included in the MOU as an area of priority focus, is that of the Linden-Lethem road which will greatly facilitate trade.
The other signatories to the pact are Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest) Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Geoffrey Da Silva; President of Rupununi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI), Mr. Alfred Ramsaran; President of Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), Mr. Komal Ramnauth and President of  SEBRAE of Brazil, Mr. Antonio Airton Oliveira Dias.

Dookhoo said the signing took place during a visit to Brazil by a Guyanese delegation.
“This is historic for us. Lethem is being developed rapidly,” he said.
Details of the MOU include to:
* arrange meetings with the Superintendence of the Free Zone of Manaus (SUFRAMA), to facilitate and organise knowledge sharing of the free zone establishment and management in the region with Guyana;
* develop a training plan for Guyanese on how to conduct business in Brazil and facilitate participation of Brazilian businesses in Guyana’s Private Sector events;
* collaboratively construct a long term working plan for SEBRAE, the PSC and GO-Invest;
* work with Brazilian authorities to review the International Transport Agreement between Guyana and Brazil to improve and secure trade;
* arrange and facilitate meetings between the respective agencies in Brazil to address issues to simplify and harmonise
trade transactions with Guyana and
* develop a marketing plan, in collaboration with partners, to market Guyanese products in Brazil.
Dookhoo remarked that the MOU establishes the platform from which opportunities can be exploited to benefit all stakeholders and strengthen linkages between Guyana and Brazil.
PROJECT PROFILES
He said, currently, project profiles for 150 products are being sent to Brazil in an effort to address simplifying their export to that neighbouring country while inward trading is also being explored.
Addressing constraints to trade, especially from Guyana to Brazil, Dookhoo said the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Agriculture are working on an agreement to improve trade at a policy level.
“We are working on things at our level so that trade could be better,” he said.
Dookhoo maintained that the recent developments in policy and infrastructure have opened the door to allow expansion of economic activities.
He said, on an average day, approximately 400 vehicles traverse the Takutu Bridge either way and that number triples at weekends.
Dookhoo said the Private Sector is better positioned to advance collaboration between businessmen on the coast and in the hinterland.
He pointed out that Guyanese products, particularly rum and flour, have a presence in Brazil but not in a big way nor in a wide variety and that is something the MOU and greater collaboration will address.
Dookhoo posited that Lethem/Rupununi is fast emerging as a major economic frontier and Guyana’s private sector hopes to exploit the opportunities present and developing in that region.
Also present at Wednesday’s news conference  was Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG) President, Mr. Paul Stephenson, who confirmed that the bulk of Guyana’s tourist products are within the Lethem/Rupununi area.
He said their recent visit to Brazil was successful and lauded the role of Mr. Christopher (Kit) Nascimento, who led the discussions about tourism.
Stephenson said an MOU is expected to be signed, soon, with the THAG equivalent in Brazil, Boa Vista Visitors Bureau.
Leading up to that, he said, working with the support of the PSC, Guyana is looking to tap into a new market.
“Brazil is a big market which attracts many international tourists,” Stephenson confirmed.
He said statistics from Brazil are indicative of a lucrative market of some 200 persons daily.
Stephenson said future plans are being made to facilitate travel from Brazil to Lethem and the Rupununi, as well as Georgetown.
He explained that transport by luxury coach for the Brazil to Lethem leg is a very likely possibility but said further consultations are necessary to ensure that other arrangements are put in place.
Stephenson said the Boa Vista Visitors Bureau has expressed support for and acknowledged Guyana’s tourism attractions.
Additionally, a team from Brazil will be here for six days, from Saturday, to take a first hand look at what Guyana has to offer.