GUYANA needs a comprehensive investment strategy. If one exists, then it is provided in bits and pieces and may not be a public document. It was refreshing to read of some of the things discussed by Minister Ali and the Indian envoy. However, we must have detailed information printed and online of all of our natural resources and other investment advantages showing their potential as good investments. Also, we must list the infrastructure, commercial manufacturing, tourism and service areas that Guyana needs to develop its potential and the government’s existing policies to promote this.
The government should have a strategy that promotes investment to allow potential investors to see exactly what can be invested in and under what conditions. Government should use its embassies to find possible partners and investors for these projects. Sponsor investment missions to come to Guyana or to go to likely investors and not wait for them to come to you.
There are investors and companies in East Asia and the Middle East who should be actively sought out to invest in defined areas. We should not wait only for the Indian envoy’s good graces, but have our Ambassador to India seek out investors and partners in the areas needing development. We need investments other than mining. The potential behind the idea of Lethem to a deep-sea harbour, should be better explained to potential investors. The need for a greater value-added processing capability, large- scale agriculture farming, aquaculture, transportation and other possible projects/businesses must be aggressively sold to investors.
A Guyana investment fund that allows overseas Guyanese and others to invest in these areas should have been in place years ago. Joint ventures between government and local and foreign investors could provide a greater push to development.