EXECUTIVE Members of the Private Sector Commission (PSC) has condemned the ‘obstructionist politics’ that infused the landscape in the past year forcing early elections and in the process doing a disservice to the business community.
This is the consensus of Executive Members of the Private Sector Commission (PSC) – Ramesh Dookhoo, Eddie Boyer and Kit Nascimento, who during a media briefing on Wednesday last, were asked to weigh in on the current political atmosphere and its relationship with the Business Community.
“The Private Sector hates elections,” blurted an animated Dookhoo, who was joined by his colleagues in pointing out that given what obtains in such an environment, the local business community has currently adopted a “wait and see” approach.
As a Guyanese, as a private citizen, I am ashamed by the fact that our politicians cannot find it in their hearts to work together for you and me to have a better Guyana – Ramesh Dookhoo
According to Dookhoo, the holding of elections before its scheduled five year interval, is a huge disincentive to the Private Sector.
Guyanese Head of State, President Donald Ramotar, late last year announced that given the failed attempts to bring the political Opposition to the bargaining table, he was forced to Prorogue Parliament and announced too that he would have to call early General Election.
Dookhoo, told reporters “we have suffered from the obstructionist politics,” over the course of the past year.
“As a Guyanese, as a private citizen, I am ashamed by the fact that our politicians cannot find it in their hearts to work together for you and me to have a better Guyana,” said a livid Dookhoo.
Business comes to a lull in the period leading up to, and after an election, according to Dookhoo.
Nascimento in his response to media operatives spoke to the fact that as long as General Election is pending in any country, the commercial sector tends to establish ‘a wait and see’ attitude.
Businesses, he said, like to invest in predictable situations, where at least 12 month projections can be made.
Boyer’s comments on the matter corresponded with his colleagues who sought to point out that with an election in the air there is always a massive downturn in terms of commodity prices, among other variables.
According to Boyer, “we are in a mode waiting for elections.”
Despite imminent Elections, Government and Private Sector relations are as amiable as ever, as is evident in the hosting of the Guyana/Suriname Trade Mission, which begins its working sessions today at the Guyana International Conference Centre.
A brainchild of the Ministry with responsibility for Industry and Commerce, the Trade Mission is a direct result of a study that was commissioned to ascertain what needs to be done to improve trade between Brazil, Suriname and Guyana.
The study was recently adopted by the Private Sector bodies in all three countries at a meeting in Suriname and the ‘Trade Mission’ hosted in Guyana is the first substantial initiative to be undertaken under the accord to promote trade among the South American Countries.
Dookhoo also told reporters that the confab is meant to foster better trade relations and boost tourism ties, as well as to iron out any difficulties that may be experienced on either side.
Some 40 Surinamese companies and government representatives will be taking part in the confab, in addition to the Surinamese Chamber of Commerce, several local chapters of local chambers of commerce, the Surinamese Trade Minister, Don Tosendjojo, as well as Guyanese Foreign Trade Minister, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett.
As it relates to government participation at the event, representatives from the Customs Departments of both countries are expected to make presentations to the working sessions.
Representatives of the Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest) and the Surinamese Business forum are also expected to be a part of the working sessions.
(By Gary Eleazar)
