I refer to the newspaper report “Chinese being updated on Guyana’s business laws.” (GT 3-1-13)

REVEREND Juan Edghill, Minister within the Ministry of Finance, reiterated his government’s policy: “Guyana’s economy is one which allows for an open market, where anyone, local or foreign, could set up businesses once the playing field is level and fair and they operate within the law”. That policy is the free market and has been government’s policy over the last 20 years.
But despite this well-known policy which has been in effect for all these years, Messrs Stanley Ming, a well-known politician and Brian Yong went out of their way to give the impression that persons are prevented by the government from setting up businesses. Ming declared: “Every person should be given the opportunity to establish a business if they so desire,” while Yong followed up, “Every person should be given the opportunity to establish legitimate businesses here”, as if anyone prevents Chinese nationals or anyone else from setting up businesses. Messrs Ming and Yong must retract their damaging, incorrect and misleading statements.
Mr. Ming goes on to say that “Guyana should welcome open- border relationships with countries like Brazil, China and the Caribbean territories.” Mr Ming is perfectly aware that policies such as “open-border relationships” are reciprocal and not a one-way street. Guyana and Brazil and the Caribbean territories have gone a far way towards working out mutually beneficial “Open border relationships”, but China has never signified any intention of so doing. Indeed, on the basis of reciprocity, China must be required to allow Guyanese and CARICOM citizens the identical facilities of freedom of entry and setting up businesses in China. This includes the citizenry in the diaspora. Mr Ming should now publicly reiterate this principle of international law to make his statement meaningful.
Mr. Yong has said that he had arranged seminars for Chinese nationals to learn of VAT and the NIS. He should also arrange for the GRA to explain how income taxes are paid and for the Labour Ministry to explain the minimum wage and hours of work. This is necessary to avoid any future pitfalls.