I APPLAUD the Canadian government for its grant from the Caribbean Local Economic Development (CARILED) project that will help improve local communities in Guyana and the Caribbean Region, as well as establish business environments that will support small and medium-sized enterprises. Our local governments and those of five other countries as well as 500 small enterprises throughout the Region will be helped.
It is a CIDA-funded project that comes through the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM). CIDA has been working with several projects in Guyana since the days of the dictatorship, helping our country to overcome many social problems and playing a key role in development.
The FCM is a body interested in assisting Caribbean municipalities building and strengthening their economies. The FCM will work directly with our local authorities and a wide range of stakeholders using local resources and creating new jobs.
Local enterprises will support people to have  better quality  lives while helping small businesses to meet their needs. This, in turn, will stimulate economic growth. The Canadian government needs to be encouraged to continue offering grants to Guyana.  No amount of thanks is enough for what CIDA has done for Guyana.