HIS Excellency, President Donald Ramotar, has hailed Region Six as a region that has experienced, and continues to experience, tremendous transformation. He also credited the Region’s continuing to see significant social and economic development to the major role it plays in the country’s development in every sense of the word.
He recalled that only recently the International Monetary Fund (IMF) had occasion to commend Guyana for its prudent management of the economy, which has grown by more than five per cent, and is expected to continue in this vein for the remainder of the year.
He said Guyana, particularly the Ancient County, has lots to be optimistic about, what with the recent drilling for oil taking place both offshore and onshore Guyana.
Addressing the opening of the Berbice Expo and Trade Fair, held at the Albion Sports Complex on the Corentyne, in Berbice, on Friday evening, President Ramotar was among several speakers at the event, including Tourism Minister, Irfaan Ali; Regional Chairman, David Armogan; and President of the Central Corentyne Chamber of Commerce, Mr Leekha Rambrich.
The event, now in its eighth year of observance, was organized by the Central Corentyne Chamber of Commerce. It will run from August 10 to 13 under the theme, “Showcasing Opportunities, Fulfilling our potential”.
Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister, Irfaan Ali said investments in Region Six alone over the past five years far surpass those made between 1980 and 1989, which can almost be considered zero in value.
He said that over the last five years, there have been investments of more than Gy$460 billion made in all areas in the region, including bridges, roads, water, and other infrastructure.
The minister described the Berbice River Bridge as an outstanding masterpiece as he deemed Berbice home of the country’s top four sugar estates.
The full potential of Region Six will be seen when the troubled Skeldon Sugar Estate comes into full operation, the minister opined.
He said that, within three years’ time, the Number 63 beach will be transformed, and advancement at that location will be superb.
Region Six Chairman, David Armogan, meanwhile, described his region as an economically vibrant one, while declaring that the annual Berbice Expo and Trade Fair has grown over the years, and has since emerged as the single largest event in the region to showcase goods, trading opportunities and other services the region generates.
The chairman said the region has recently been experiencing a construction boom, increasing the number of new businesses and expanding existing businesses.
He said these are all tied to fulfilling the demand of the region for added services and business opportunities.
Mr. Armogan also spoke of the increasing number of shopping malls being opened in the Ancient County, and of the announcement of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) about a possible shortage of food and livestock.
He called this an opportunity for Guyana to market its produce and demand value for money.
According to him, while this opportunity may be ideal to place this country on the map again, attention must be paid to quality and presentation.
He told producers and exporters that for Guyana to be counted as one of the countries with supreme products, there has to be qualitative improvement to ensure that systems are in place which would allow Guyana to be able to compete with the rest of the region and further afield in providing products that would grab the attention of purchasers.
President of the Central Corentyne Chamber of Commerce, Leekha Rambrich, said the Berbice Expo promises much for the region. He noted that the Region Six Chamber of Commerce is open to all who wish to contribute to the growth and expansion of the region in whatever area they can.
Rambrich commended the banking sector for making investments which can best be described as taking chances. He also thanked the various contributors for supporting the Expo, saying that it was made a success because of their inputs.