THE new, big investment by the Bai Shan Lin wood- processing company indicates a positive view on doing business in Guyana. This investment seems to come out of the blue and with a size and immediate start date not usually seen. They certainly did their homework. Now Guyana must do theirs. A writer suggested that they help to build a new road from Mandela Avenue to as far as Diamond to relieve traffic congestion. Guyana must ensure that it gets its fair share from its natural resources. This may not be happening in the gold-mining industry and requires better control and oversight. Every effort must be made to add value to exports, and that all regulations, agreements and labour laws are understood and strictly enforced. Guyanese workers must understand that foreign companies expect a certain level of work performance which must be met for their mutual success. Hopefully, the government will help graduates from government training programmes to fill some of these jobs.
Chinese companies tend to utilise as much Chinese labour and products as possible. Guyana must do what it can to see that Guyanese labour and products are given a competitive opportunity to fill the needs of investors. Companies must be held to any promises made to build value- added components to their operations. The government should be aggressive in seeking more investments from foreign companies such as the Tata company in India and other foreign businesses that are involved in diversified enterprises that may satisfy some of the country’s needs. Other countries in the Region may be doing better than Guyana in this regard.