GUYANA Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T) and the Tourism & Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG) signed an agreement yesterday that will see the telecommunications giant and the leading tourist body benefiting from each other.
The deal, which lasts for three years, will make the phone company put $3M annually into it, by way of sponsorship.
The returns for the utility would be worldwide coverage through the many tourists and activities handled by THAG since all will have the GT&T brand and slogan.
The three-year contract which should total $9M was inked by Head of the THAG, Mr. Kit Nascimento and Chief Executive Officer of GT&T, Mr. R.K. Sharma in the presence of senior staffers of the two entities.
In his remarks on the occasion, Sharma told the gathering that the ceremony was a simple but significant one which marks the continuation of a relationship that spawned more than ten years between the two sides.
He said the partnership recognises the important and pivotal role that THAG has played in the growth and development of the sub-sector of the services economy.
Sharma stated that GT&T is not only the country’s premier telecommunication provider but more of a national institution, given the history, legacy and countrywide presence, contribution to the social sectors, national economy and the creation of jobs.
IMPORTANT PARTNERSHIP
He asserted that it is because of those reasons that the partnership is particularly important to the phone company while pointing out that it is GT&T which offers the most competitive and economically priced data and voice plan and has conclusively proven itself to be the least expensive service provider when it comes to voice, data roaming and DSL services.
According to him, it is not just about the profits for the company and its ability to rake in money but rather its corporate and social responsibility to Guyana, by assisting the emerging sectors in a developing economy.
The tourism sub-sector is unique, since it provides employment in a very diverse manner, the CEO added.
Meanwhile, Nascimento pledged that THAG will not be engaging in any form of marketing or activities which can be considered a competition and conflict of interest to GT&T.
He said one of the reasons the Association decided to seek the involvement of GT&T is because the company is a Guyanese one which invests heavily in Guyana and ensures that it fulfills its corporate responsibilities to the nation.
He pointed out that tourism is still young in Guyana and there are still significant challenges facing its development, growth and greater airlift, hotels and telecommunications have been listed as three of the most important things that have to be addressed in its development.
The collaboration between the two will result in the expanded branding of GT&T services offered both locally and overseas, Nascimento said.
(By Leroy Smith)
