DEMONSTRATING Government’s continued commitment to the development of the private sector and the economy, Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister (ag), Irfaan Ali yesterday engaged in discussions with senior officials from the private sector bodies and the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA). According to Minister Ali, the engagement aims primarily to analyze and examine the issues affecting the business community, and to develop an action plan to strengthen, expand and develop economic activities leading to job creation.
He made this statement during the meeting, held in his South Road Office, where he emphasised importance of the discussions, particularly analysis into the policy interventions in the 2012 Budget.
“We will also analyze the policy interventions in the budget to see where we can have synergy, and where the government can intervene to assist the business community to ensure that all benefit from the various government initiatives,” he said.
In addition, he pointed to the Administration’s pledge to promote and protect the private sector’s interest, while simultaneously matching this interest with the policy of the government.
He said, “This will be to the overall benefit of the Guyanese population; this is important so that there will be no superimposing of any power that can be transferred to the ordinary people of the country.”
Before the meeting concluded, several representatives from the various private sector entities shared their views on the 2012 Budget and their expectations of the meeting.
The Chairman of the Private Sector Commission (PSC), Mr. Ramesh Dookhoo, acknowledged that the meeting will go a long way towards tackling long-term issues that are affecting businesses right across the country.
“We are dealing with a situation now where we have frank and open discussions with the minister, and I am very pleased to hear that he has indicated his intention to work along with the private sector to facilitate its growth and development. We are taking it sector by sector, moving into the future,” he explained.
Head of the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA), Mr. Clinton Williams, expressed gratitude to Minister Ali for “his noble effort” in engaging the private sector bodies.
He said, “We at the GMSA are indeed pleased to have learnt about the initiatives taken in this year’s budget with respect to the economy and its significant growth, as opposed to other countries in the Caribbean. Our concern primarily hinges on the need to focus more closely on the transportation and the logistics sector, which has been one of the bugbears, not only for us locally, but for international competitiveness.”
Williams said there can be no doubt that enough is being done to transform the manufacturing sector to the level that is required. He noted, as well, that it is heartening to see growth in the sugar and rice sectors, as well as in the non-traditional sectors.
On the same note, the Chairman of the Association of Regional Chambers of Commerce (ARCC), Mr. Gyandat Murray, said the meeting would aid in reviving the many dormant Chambers of Commerce across the country, and would assist in development and growth of businesses, along with development of community tourism in Guyana.
“Productivity, economic growth, and a prosperous Guyana is our number one priority. The initiative is indicative of the government’s commitment towards the development of the private sector,” the Junior Vice President of the Georgetown Chambers of Commerce, Clinton Urling, explained.
He reiterated the Chambers’ willingness to work with the government on any initiative that hinges on innovation and diversification.
Representatives from the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG) and the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) were also present at the meeting.
Subsequent to this meeting, Minister Ali also engaged the private sector officials; the Minister within the Ministry of Local Government, Norman Whittaker; Minister of Transport, Robeson Benn; and a representative from the City Council to discuss plans for enhancing the city for the upcoming Sustainable Tourism Conference (STC) this month.