GUYANA Arts and Craft Producers Association (GACPA), Guyana Agro-Processors Association (GAPA), Guyana Small Business Association (GSBA) and the Association of Regional Chambers of Commerce (ARCC) have joined in calling on the Opposition in Parliament to rethink the motion on cuts to the 2012 national budget, including allocations for the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS).
In a joint statement, the associations say:
“We, the undersigned representatives of GACPA, GAPA, GSBA and ARCC, are deeply appalled at the likelihood of our members as well as micro and small business persons being denied the opportunity to build alternative livelihoods for vulnerable groups via an IDB-monitored project by the GRIF Trust Fund, a commendable outcome of Guyana’s visionary LCDS.
“We call on the joint Opposition (APNU and AFC) to immediately rethink the implications of their decision to proceed with the motion tabled in the National Assembly to remove the LCDS allocations within the Office of the President, since it would seriously jeopardise the long-awaited and much anticipated micro-finance project.”
The organisations go on to say in their statement:
“Further, we wish to register our deep displeasure with the machinations of the joint Opposition in this excursion, which, if realised, would thwart the opening for thousands of hardworking, ambitious Guyanese to improve their livelihoods and that of their families and communities.”