LETHEM contractor and lumberyard proprietor Rodger King was last weekend elected president of the Rupununi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) for a year.
His election took place during a well-attended annual general members meeting of the Chamber last Sunday at the Savannah Inn Conference Room in Lethem, Region Nine (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo).
King replaced Alfred Ramsarran, now Immediate Past President.
Others elected were John Macedo, Vice-President; Ms. Allison Camacho, Treasurer; and Mrs. Taramattie Ralph, Mr. Linus Jairaj, Mr. Cyril King  and Mrs. Debra King, Executive Committee Members.
The seven directors are: Mr. Lennox Ramsahoye, Agriculture & Manufacturing; Mrs. Jackie D’Aguiar, Public Relations; Mr. Ahrens Landry, Commerce & Services; Mr. Richard Rennie, Sports & Culture; Mr. Kenrick Nickram, Local Government; Mrs. Linda Khan, Tourism; and Mr. Edward Singh, Transportation & Communication.
As a non-governmental organization, the RCCI was established on November 20, 1999, and registered under the Friendly Society Act, Chapter 36:04.
Its main objective is to promote, support and protect domestic and foreign commerce, agriculture, tourism and manufacturing operations suitable to the Rupununi and capable of making contributions to the economic and social welfare of Guyana.
King told the Guyana Chronicle by telephone that the Executive will continue most of the programmes started by the past Executive, such as working closely with the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region Nine, and Central Government; increasing cross-border trade and social and cultural integration activities with neighbouring Brazil, including the annual Guyana / Brazil Cultural Festival; and  heightening fraternal links and collaborations with other local Chambers of Commerce, among other activities. (Clifford Stanley)