THE People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) Manifesto, which was launched at the Marriott Hotel last Saturday, demonstrates a strong commitment by the PPP/C Government to use the foundation built to date to radically transform our National Posture into a Guyana that will see us move to modern society by 2020. Realising this vision in the last five years of this decade is real.
Dr. Ramsaroop said the plan, in his perspective, is geared specifically at the young generation as it gives them an opportunity in their phase of life where dreams are built, hope is kindled, and a bright future is foreseen. He said not only the next phase of education will be realised such as universal secondary education but the fact that new areas such as Maritime Management with the construction of the Deep Water Harbour, will open additional fields in Engineering and Logistics which are all higher paying jobs for your young people. He expects the University of Guyana to gear future curriculum to these new industries.
He said the PPP/C 2020 Vision of moving to a Transport led and energy driven economy which includes the Hydro Plant and the paving of the road to Brazil will radically change our local economics.
Transportation Infrastructure means we will get goods to market faster and with the Brazil connection using our Deep Water Harbour will see increased income in many villages. The connection between a Village’s proximity to a new road is estimated to increase as high as 25% based on other samples done around the world. There will be a positive impact to a villager’s agricultural activities and their ability to get to markets and increased income. It is just not about the trucks bringing goods to the port but them taking back our products such as our Cash Crops, coconuts and other products to Brazil as one example.
In addition, the bridging between Guyana and Suriname will rapidly increase trade. Dr. Ramsaroop said since the building of the Berbice Bridge, goods and people movement between the counties has had a major economic return to both business and people. For example, a truck bringing goods from Region 6 to Georgetown Port used to take all day. A driver had to be paid a full day work even though the truck waited at the Stelling for over 3 hours to cross. Paying of the tolls across the Berbice Bridge is far less than what the opportunity cost loss to the business. That truck can now make two trips a day and still the return on investment is greater for any business in the region. Added value such as Tourism, travel to conduct business in the Capital are all a benefit.
The establishment of Export Free Zones in many areas proposed by the PPP/C and the reduce corporate taxes since 2011 will see new business migrating to those areas thus creating new jobs.
He said what he is more excited about is the move to grow more Sugar Cane and the expansion of ethanol blend. He estimate if we can move to both local use and export capacity, it would save at least US$10 million per year in gasoline imports for our nation in addition to expanding the use of bagasse into electrically energy.

The goal of the PPP/C is to rapidly expand the use technology to serve the People better. The use of technology, as an enabler in all sectors, will be implemented in all sectors of the economy such as in the areas of Trade, Education, Agriculture, Health and the Environment. The expansion of the Technology Centres and Parks will see the creation of thousands of new jobs across Guyana.
Version 2.0 is exciting and every Guyanese must study and be part of the development. The last 5 years of this decade outlines where each of us fit. As President Ramotar said, “our future is bright and with the achievements that have been accomplished across Guyana, now allows us to move to the next level of development”.