“THE emergence of New Business is generally accepted as a good indicator of economic growth. When these businesses spin off their product lines and diversify their operations, it translates into development of livelihoods, of communities, and eventually the economic stability of a country.” This was the thrust of a forward-looking address delivered by now Immediate Past President of the Guyana Manufacturing & Services Association (GMSA), Clinton Williams, at the opening ceremony of the annual Berbice Expo; at Albion recently.
He urged the organisers, the Central Corentyne Chamber of Commerce, to keep focus on their rapidly developing business sector with emphasis on Food and Energy Security, and a Berbice-specific Tourism sector.
Food Security, he stated, has become a watch word especially in the Caribbean, which is positioning itself to gain a stronger foothold in the food market in the developed world, including some states in South America. “Already there has been significant improvement in market intelligence gathering for the specific purpose of matching demand with supply,” he said reiterating that Guyana’s capacity for food production far outstrips that of other CARICOM countries. “This is the time for us to extend our market reach for traditional products (Sugar, Rice, Sea foods, Fruits and Vegetables), and accelerate the marketing of non-traditional products such as honey and processed foods”. The primary objective, he believes, would be to substantially reduce food imports.
He spoke of the technology transfer programmes which countries like India, China, and Brazil have already offered to Guyana to enhance product lines and efficiencies in Guyanese agro-processing and agriculture based enterprises.
Referring to the Low Carbon Development Strategy and the Norwegian Carbon Credit initiative, Williams urged the Berbice business community to continue the search for ways to reduce operating costs by investing in renewable power supply mechanisms from alternative energy sources (Solar, Wind and Water). He said that entrepreneurs in and outside of Berbice were anticipating the imminent Oil and Gas industry that is expected to emerge as soon as economically viable quantities of the products are discovered in and offshore.
“The current Hydro Carbon exploration programme being pursued by REPSOL and CGX has the potential for significant forward and backward linkages and the development of a plethora of downstream industries and services, including Maritime Transportation, various Engineering trades and specialized technical services,” he said. In the meantime, he reiterated, Region 6, like the rest of the nation, has to improve the efficiency of power generation and manage utilization. He informed the gathering that GMSA recently embarked on an Energy Efficiency project jointly funded with the IDB to develop a national model for efficient power consumption in businesses. This project is designed to create the bar for development of a standards structure that will be applicable to every category of business.
Williams, himself a Berbician, defined several proposals for enhancing tourism in the Ancient County, singling out the Number 63 Beach, which he described as a Tourist Haven.   “For too long we have failed to develop and maximize its market potential,” he stated. “With the exception of the single “Easter Monday” Kite Flying event, 63 Beach has remained undiscovered by people visiting this country. It is about time that the private sector comes up with a realistic development plan for this beautiful place.” President Donald Ramotar, in his feature address at the Expo’s opening, confirmed that within three years, the Number 63 Beach ‘will be transformed.’
The GMSA’s Past President, in expanding on his proposals, recommended that the Berbice tourism product should include Nature and Agriculture-based, Culinary, Health and Wellness, and Heritage/Cultural Tourism. He envisaged establishment of “special expedition” nature tours that focus on the rich flora and fauna native to the Corentyne and the New River Triangle, and the development of site-based Agricultural Mini Museums featuring Sugar and Rum production, and the Rice processes. His vision included publication of Cook Books in print and video with recipes, indigenous ingredients and historical information; establishment of Gift and Souvenir shops for Food, Flowers and indigenous jewelry; and Aquaculture-based enterprises including Inland Fish Farms that would serve as economic ventures as well as Tour sights.
The world has “Gone Green,” he pointed out, saying that much of the core organic products for internationally acclaimed medicines and body care products come from indigenous raw materials found in this part of the world. “Guyana is a tropical country with a plethora of these materials that researchers from the most developed countries seek out to make their signature care products, so why not us?” he challenged. “The people on the ground right here have developed tremendous knowledge about the properties of our plants and minerals.  The business community would do well to tap this ready resource, create new products and market them with guidance from a BSO.
He touted the establishment of Spas and Wellness Centres in and around Berbice that could utilize local ‘healing’ waters, along with some folklore including the ‘labba & creek water’ lore that is believed to bring visitors back. He added Trade Shows and establishment of distribution and retail outlets for Guyana’s natural (organic) foods and products.