PRESIDENT Donald Ramotar has lauded Ansa McAl Trading Limited (AMTL) for their contribution to Guyana’s economy and added that the government is fully supportive of its proposed ethanol project.

Delivering the key note address at AMTL’s 20th anniversary cocktail reception at the Georgetown Club, Camp Street, last Friday, President Ramotar said: “I am very, very supportive of the proposal to invest in our productive sector of the economy and a project that, of course, has enormous benefits and a win-win situation for all that are involved in it.”
He stated that it was indeed a pleasure to be in attendance for the celebration of 20 years of business and success of AMTL and congratulated the staff.
The President spoke of difficult situations that exist worldwide but the better thing to do is pool our resources in the Region.
He added that we must also look at our integration in the process, since Guyana has an important role to play in broadening cooperation and building strongly with South America and the Caribbean for business investments.
Mr. Ramotar however, said it was wise for AMTL to invest in Guyana since it would be an advantage as the government welcomes investments and supports the ethanol project which would contribute greatly to our economy.
He stated that over the years our human capital has improved thus, investments are being sought here and negotiations are ongoing to close the finances to build a hydro-electric station for cheaper energy in Guyana and recognised the growth in Guyana with newer businesses being opened here countrywide.
Managing-Director of Ansa McAl Trading Limited (AMTL) Beverley Harper giving the history and development of the company in celebration of its 20th anniversary said that the rapid growth and success of AMTL can be directly attributed to a dynamic, hard-working team from all levels including, but not limited to, the young administrative, marketing and sales professionals ably led by an energetic and visionary management team, guided by the wisdom of the Board of Directors and head office Group Executives, all of whom remain committed to customer service and teamwork.
She said: “Attesting to our personnel development plan and believing that employees are your greatest asset, we have outsourced professionals to conduct in-house training in numeracy, literacy and computer studies at the basic levels while encouraging and facilitating persons to pursue higher education and training in their respective fields.”
She added that AMTL being a company that is extremely cognisant of its corporate responsibilities exercises good citizenship by contributing billions in Value Added Tax (VAT), taxation and duties, values its ability to assist in the further development of the country by spending billions of dollars supporting and sponsoring cultural, social and sporting events that help develop the moral fibre of our country.
Meanwhile, AMTL Chairman and Distribution Sector Head, Jose Nivet in outlining the company’s contribution to Guyana said that for the period 2008 to September 2012, the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) collected $417B in revenue from various types of taxation.
He noted that the current headcount at AMTL is 163, however, it must be recognised that the multiplier effect of employing 163 people redounds to a minimum of 600 persons being indirectly employed, which further contributes to Guyana’s economy.
Group Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of AMTL Group of Companies, Anthony Sabga, in his address said that as they observe 20 years of business in Guyana they have been doing business the world over for 131 years with operations that span eight sectors throughout the Caribbean.
He stated that currently, AMTL is conducting a feasibility study for a bio-fuel project in Guyana to the value of more than US$300M.
Sabga said: “We envisage a sugar cane plantation cultivated to produce as a minimum, 2,000,000 metric tonnes of high sucrose sugar cane per year and 40,000,000 gallons of ethanol and approximately 175,000 metric tonnes of raw sugar per year. This investment that we expect to make in this project would thrust the economic development of Guyana significantly.”
He noted that the opportunities to be derived from this bio-fuels project are positive economic growth; creation of jobs from the plant and from the downstream industries; electricity generation from bio-mass; development of downstream industries and by-products; new business opportunities; and infrastructural development of roads and accommodation.
Sabga said that more importantly, the project would serve as a foundation, attracting further investment in Guyana.
Also making remarks at the event was AMTL Public Relations Officer, Darshanie Yussuf and Marketing Director, Troy Cadogan.