Ramotar outlines menu of measures for expanded growth
– Concurs bureaucracy stymies initiatives and promises revamp of systems
IN thanking the organizers for the opportunity to exchange views and ideas at “this junction of our history”, PPP General-Secretary and Presidential Candidate, Mr. Donald Ramotar, yesterday explained that at this particular engagement, he will keep to the narrow path on dealing with issues pertinent to the Private Sector, with broader positions to be clarified upon the launching, in the near future, of the PPP/C manifesto, at which point the vision and philosophy of the PPP/C will be dealt with at length and in depth. According to Ramotar, his presentation dealt with “a brief outline of the contours of that manifesto”.  He however revealed that his campaign will be based on the basis of continuity, while simultaneously strategizing through newer and bolder programmes that will optimize development in the country.
Expounding on the changing global dynamics, especially the scientific and technological revolution, and in particular telecommunications and transportation, Ramotar stressed that this globalization necessitates an appreciation for the need to grasp opportunities provided, and to take advantage of the positives, even while strategizing to limit the negative effects of the new and emerging global challenges.
Need for tripartite approach
This, warned Ramotar, would entail a tripartite relationship of government, private sector and labour to “change to (suit) the new conditions that we are facing.”
Because of Guyana’s limitations in terms of size and population, Ramotar explained that international events and developments tend to impact in greater ways (sometimes detrimentally so), especially in view of Guyana’s heavy dependence on international markets for its economic welfare; which consequences a requisite need for the Private Sector to become more productive and competitive in the international sphere.
He prescribed a need for crafting an export-oriented policy that will boost national prosperity.
Alluding to the traditional drivers of Guyana’s economy, fundamentally sugar, rice and bauxite, and simultaneously taking into consideration the context of the global landscape, Ramotar stressed the imperative of developing new attitudes as these sectors need re-engineering in order to ensure their continued viability.
He however noted that, while the traditional sectors need to be sustained, the new possibilities being opened up through global dynamics need to be explored and seized wherever this can optimize Guyana’s growth and development, because diversifying and broadening this country’s economic base is a prerequisite to this nation’s survival and prosperity.
One of the planks that can form the basis of enhanced prosperity, encouraged Ramotar, is the acceleration of value-added and processing of basic Guyanese products.
Alternative sources of energy an imperative
Reiterating the Government’s position on sourcing alternative sources of energy, Ramotar stated “We have to look at energy…energy is very crucial to the future development of Guyana.”  He impressed upon his audience the necessity of reducing overheads by making their energy source more cost-effective and efficient and cited the cheap sources of energy available to neighbouring countries, which makes their products competitive in the global arena and their business climate more attractive to foreign investors.
“We will pursue this form of energy relentlessly, not only in this government, but in any future PPP/C Government” promised Ramotar, who outlined some of the advantages that can accrue from cheap sources of energy, and explored some of the avenues from which waste material can be converted into fuel and gas; also energy to power private enterprises as well as feed into the national grid.
He expressed satisfaction at the Government’s performance in the water sector.
Capital cost and need for attitude changes
Ramotar touched on the cost of capital, which he said is inhibiting both national and private sector development. He said “Of course the interest rates have come down a far way since the PPP/C came into office; but they are still too high, I think, for large investments in which the returns of the capital will take a longer period – and therefore we have to look at it to see how we can cheapen the cost of capital to the Private Sector….
“When we take the fact that in our banking sector we have a big liquidity – almost $50 billion in the banking sector that is not invested anywhere; and yet the interest rate is so high.”
He suggested the stock exchange as another mechanism, among others which he said should be developed, albeit citing a need for a change of attitude and a revolution in the thinking in the private sector, which resist opening up family businesses to public investment.
He urged the pursuit of development of the expansive intermediate savannahs and other lands and the production of alternative crops through large-scale agriculture, instead of remaining within the parameters of the norm.
“We need all kinds of ownership,” said Ramotar, who assured “Small producers need not worry, because large investments can act as a pull factor…can be like a demonstration effect, for people who produce in small areas, to do things in a better way. We are blessed with land, and we can provide land for processing and for new industries. We can introduce new crops in our country”, and cited as an example soya beans, which is produced by Brazil.
“We have to pursue, in a general way an export-oriented policy”, Ramotar encouraged, and continued “We must not shut our minds to the possibilities of import substitution……If you look at some of the materials that we have…we could have some very successful projects from an import-substitution basis.”

Recycling of waste products
On that point Ramotar used as an example the probability of having a viable paper producing industry in Guyana through the recycling of waste material.
He stressed the imperative of cheapening products for export and to make them more competitive on the global marketplace.
While providing assurance on continued pivotal interest in Demerara and the Demerara ports, Ramotar stressed the need for more and bigger ports to facilitate for increased shipping capacity; thus the proposed deep water port in Berbice, which could correspondingly provide motivation for expanded economic activity in Regions Five and Six, which is already a major producer of rice, sugar and bauxite. Large-scale agricultural production and processing in the East Canje basin, which Ramotar described as having “been a dream and a gyaff” (at watering holes) could be accelerated by a deep-water port to facilitate great export capacity.
Touching on air transport, Ramotar said “We have to look ahead to the period of time when huge cargo planes can land here so that we can do imports and exports….For that purpose it is important for us to modernize our airport…to lengthen the runway so that we can accommodate larger planes; also look at different routes to have flights coming here to help our economic development.”
He mentioned, in addition to these, the need for the current expansion of roadways and modernized and improved infrastructure as important to generating increased economic activities in Guyana.
“This is the direction we have to go if we are to accelerate development here in Guyana,” urged Ramotar.  He continued, “The linkages of the various sectors of our economy will produce great synergies to help us to accelerate our growth and development.”  He added as a spin-off effect job creation through these initiatives, as well as ancillary and subsidiary goods and services.
Ramotar said that new scientific technologies has opened up great possibilities for development, and transformed people’s thinking to envelope global opportunities, and as a case in point he listed the benefits provide from call centres, opportunities that are being expanded by the fibre optic cables now linking Guyana with the rest of the world.
He prophesied that qualified people who are often tempted to migrate could be encouraged to remain in Guyana through the expanded opportunities now being provided. “We can be providing financial services; we can be providing engineering services; medical services – many other services, once we master the use of these new technologies and the almost limitless possibilities that they offer us for development.
“If we are going to take advantage of the new technologies now on-stream, we have to look at our human resources.”  He went on to explain the importance of education and said, “Since we got into government we have invested the largest part of our expenditure in developing the human capital. Education is a priority and will continue to be a priority for the PPP/C government.”
He stressed that throughout the country, even in the remotest regions, the population is accessing unprecedented levels of education and healthcare.
Encouraging the pursuit of self-employment in wealth-creational activities, Ramotar said this will add to the general well-being of individuals and society as a whole.
He spoke of the need for increased public/private partnerships and cited as an example the success of the Berbice Bridge, which he said is “a classic example of where public/private partnership can help to accelerate big infrastructural works.
“Our partnership will also involve consultation in working with you. In 1999 I recall there was a summit…the President and the leaders of business in this country. A lot was achieved then. Much work was done, and I think another one is being planned in the very near future… A future Ramotar-led PPP/C Government will have these (engagements) frequently.”
Guyana’s macro-economic fundamentals stable
He said that despite a negative international situation, Guyana’s economy has continued to grow, which he concludes is a reflection of the tight and good management of the economy by the PPP/C government. This he said, was achieved through maintaining a stable and predictable macro-economic environment.
He promised that a future PPP/C government will work toward eliminating most of the bureaucratic logjams that is frustrating investment initiatives and impeding development in this country.
“I am also aware that a democratic society is indispensable for economic growth…This is a position that the PPP has held from the very beginning.
“We have promised in our Manifesto that we will work towards having democracy in our society, and at the root of that will be the rule of law, which is vital to develop and uphold; to create an enabling environment we have achievements; to have the development of the judiciary, which can benefit all of you. We have already created a commercial court, and we hope that could be improved upon…expanded to assist the Private Sector to resolving some of the problems that they face from time to time.”
Touching on the vital issue of security, Ramotar promised heightened efforts to address this need, but said that this is again another area that necessitates public/private partnership, because the police alone cannot fight crime.
He concluded:  “Our country is now poised to go to (a) qualitatively higher level of development… where many of the dreams of our previous leaders, and the dreams of many of us today who occupy positions of authority in this country to eliminate poverty forever…so that poverty should not prevent persons from developing their potentials.
“We will succeed if we work together, if we face the challenges together, and we can walk on a new highway of Peace, Progress, and Prosperity in Guyana.”