–reveals major int’l food chain,bank willing to invest here

REAL Value Supermarket, located at Lot 246 Church and Thomas Streets, Georgetown, on Saturday held the official opening ceremony which was graced by the presence of Irfaan Ali, Minister of Housing and Water and Acting Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, who endorsed the investment.

Making brief remarks, he congratulated Jason and wife, Lily Wang for their investment in Guyana’s economy.

Ali told the gathering that he does not differentiate when it comes to foreign investment, be it Chinese or any other nationality, since Guyana is a “melting pot of six ethnicities” and it is another investment for Guyana in which they will contribute to our social and economic enhancement.

He said that the opening of Real Value Supermarket goes to show that the proprietors have every confidence in Guyana’s investment climate, hence they invested in a business.

He however urged Jason Wang, the owner of the supermarket, to be a leader and add more local products to his shelves, especially those from small businesses in which natural produce can be adequately marketed.

Ali stated that with consumption, you need people and giving an example he said in St. Kitts and Nevis they depend on foreign students to sustain their consumption since their population amounts to about only 5,000 people.

He explained that they have about 2,500 foreign students on the island, and they utilise their services; and in Guyana we also want to attract foreign universities.

Ali said we will in a few years embark on a similar innovation to increase our consumption and at the same time enhance occupancy, tourism and investment.

He stated that with the launching of newer airlines locally we have seen a growth in tourism by 350% since Copa Airlines came here and it is all part of building an infrastructure in transforming our society for an advanced economy.

The minister said that Real Value Supermarket is a bit more than a regular supermarket since during his pre-tour visit he saw it as an integrated shopping experience, noting that the space and layout are of international standards.

Ali told the gathering last evening that there is also more good news for Guyana, since one of the world’s leading food chains has indicated its interest in setting up shop here ; and within the last five days he was also in discussion with a major international bank that has also showed interest in Guyana.

In this light, he urged all to keep a positive outlook on businesses so we can still attract international investment.

Real Value Supermarket is housed in a three-storey concrete building with SurePay and MoneyGram and soon they will have German’s Restaurant added. The business has 25 local and five international employees.

In brief remarks, China’s Ambassador, Zhang Limin said he was very pleased that such a young Jason Wang has worked so hard to achieve a business of that magnitude and encouraged members of the Chinese business community to continue to abide with the rules and laws of Guyana.
He added that it is their wish to continue to partner in business and forge closer ties between Guyana and China and was very happy with Jason Wang’s achievement.

Also making brief remarks was Ramesh Persaud, President of the Private Sector Commission,who said the investment signals investor confidence in entrepreneurship, which takes effort, because the market will not wait and that bold step was taken by Jason Wang.

He stated that with the opening of the new supermarket the Private Sector Commission stands behind the investment and the Wangs have their support once they remain in compliance with our laws and expressed congratulation to the proprietors.
For his part,proprietor Jason Wang said he is hoping for continued support so his business could grow and at the same time make a contribution to the local economy and to the society.

The opening saw Chinese drumming and the traditional Chinese dragon dance after which there was the cutting of the ribbon signalling the official opening of the business by Minister Irfaan Ali, China’s Ambassador Zhang Limin and others.