REPRESENTATIVES from the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI), last Friday, met with representatives from the Linden Chamber of Industry, Commerce and Development (LCICD) where discussions were held on possible areas of collaboration, various ways to build and strengthen their existing relationship and how to boost and develop the business community of Linden. The GCCI delegation was headed by its President, Mr. Clinton Urling, while the LCICD representatives include the President, Mr. Courtney Handy; Vice-President, Mr. Noland Walton and Secretary, Ms. Sheena Bristol.

Mr. Handy commended the Georgetown Chamber for its exertion to collaborate and develop partnerships with the various Chambers across the country as an effort to develop the business community of Guyana.

It was noted that the business community and other regions closer to Linden suffered as a result of the recent Linden Protest. However, the Linden Chamber and the Linden business community are looking ahead and moving forward with focus on attracting investment into the region, according to a statement issued yesterday regarding the outcome of last Friday’s meeting which was held at the GCCI office in Georgetown.

Handy assured the Georgetown Chamber that calmness prevails in Linden and that there is a conducive climate for the development of the business community and attracting investment.

The Linden Chamber is now exploring the possibility of setting up a bus station in Linden to supply fuel to commuters entering in and through Linden to visit and conduct business in other nearby regions.

Handy stated that the recently signed Agreement between the Government of Guyana and the Regional Democratic Council of Region 10 will certainly benefit the business community to help revitalize economic development within the region.

Georgetown Chamber President, Clinton Urling proposed that the Linden Chamber focus on the advancement of the private sector and explore and develop some programmes and activities to build the capacity of the Linden business community in partnership with the Georgetown Chamber.

Additionally, Urling noted that the Linden Chamber should work towards conducting a study of the Linden private sector to identify the different constraints affecting the business community and opportunities to attract investment within the region. Also, the creation of a database of businesses operating in Linden will be an excellent resource material to be used by businesses and potential investors.
It was also reported that some members of the Georgetown Chamber expressed interest to soon invest in Linden which was gladly welcomed by representatives of the Linden Chamber. The meeting is believed to have served as a stepping stone to promote collaboration and partnership between the two Chambers in the interest of their members, and the private sector to better serve the business community.