…company signals intention to establish operations here
PRIME Minister Samuel Hinds, performing the duties of President, yesterday joined the Chinese community in commissioning the Haier Guyana Service Centre, at 92 Middle Street, Georgetown. Speaking to those gathered to witness the formal opening of the centre, Prime Minister Hinds expressed confidence that the Chinese company will deliver what it was contracted to do, noting that the government has “good reason to have faith in the company”.
With regard to the government’s One Laptop per Family Project, Hinds reiterated that no citizen should be left behind as a result of denied access to a computer. “As you know, we intend to deliver one of these laptop notebooks to the estimated 90,000 of the 250,000 families which would not be able to provide themselves with computers”, he added. At the moment, training is being undertaken in the various regions countrywide.
He called for a massive movement to be undertaken by citizens, where everyone could equip themselves with skills regarding the use of the computer. In addition, he pointed out the importance of computers in the education sector.
Meanwhile, Chinese Ambassador to Guyana, Yu Wenzhe, in his remarks, deemed the occasion an important one, testimony to the cooperation between China and Guyana. “Haier is a famous brand name in China, which started some 30 years ago”, he said.
He is hopeful that the two countries would together provide for the less fortunate families, allowing them access to the most modern technology and equipment.
In addition, Haier has also signalled its intention to establish operations in Guyana, with a transfer of technology. In a short while, Haier products are expected to be seen marked ‘Made in Guyana’ the Ambassador disclosed.
Haier signed an agreement with the Guyana Government in September last to provide some 27, 000 laptop computers under the first phase of the OLPF. The Chinese Government will provide funding for the remaining 33,000 computers.
Former President Bharrat Jagdeo last year delivered 1,000 computers to the first recipients. The end of this year will see some 57,000 more receiving notebooks.
The One Laptop per Family Project forms part of government’s thrust to have all Guyanese computer literate by the end of 2014.
Thus far, some 11,000 laptop computers have been distributed, and only two hundred and twenty have returned for warranty.