SCRAP metal dealers are highly optimistic that the government will re-open the trade following months of pleading with the administration. The trade was suspended with effect from June 15, 2015, to facilitate a forensic audit.

General Secretary of the Guyana Scrap Metal Association (GMRA), Michael Benjamin, had noted that since the completion of the audit in December 2015, the association has been in discussion with the Ministry of Business, given the fact that almost 1,500 persons are out of work.
During a telephone interview with the Guyana Chronicle recently, Benjamin disclosed that the Ministry has finally given the scrap metal dealers a reason to be optimistic.

On its online website, the Ministry has made registration forms available for dealers to register under the categories of, “scrap metal exporters” and “scrap metal declaration.”
This, the Association’s General Secretary said, spells hope for the dealers given that the Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin, confirmed that he will soon visit the scrap metal yards to do an inspection.

Minister Gaskin, had said the audit report advised that reforms be introduced into the system, including legislative amendments, new regulations, and smarter monitoring of the trade.
Benjamin said that the dealers have signaled their intention to abide by the law and to do all that is necessary to ensure that they are able to ply their trade as soon as possible. He indicated that at the current pace of the Ministry’s process, they expect that scrap metal trade will commence within two weeks.