THE renowned GEM Granites Group from Tamil Nadu, India expects to start business in Guyana next year, initially exporting granitite stone products and timber, the Office of the Prime Minister said in a release.

GEM Director Mr, Gunasekaran Raju gave this assurance on Thursday to Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, during a courtesy call at the latter’s office. The director was accompanied by Executive Director Mr. Binu Thomas and Mr. Saravanan Krishnan, the company’s Timber Quality Analyst and Consultant for Furniture Design.

The Gem Group is headed by Mr. R. Veeramani, a lawyer who became a leading investor in granite mining, sugar manufacturing, bio-mass electric power generation, and textile and garment production. The group also has interest in resort health hotels and housing apartments.

Mr. Gunasekaran revealed that the GEM Group was positive about investment in Guyana, as he lauded the country’s vast land space, expansive forests and granite potentials. Gem would start business in Guyana once it locates the right granite for dimensional blocks and calibrated tiles. During their visit, the second for the director, the GEM Group met with several government ministers and forestry and mining officials.

The GEM Granite group is in Guyana in response to an invitation by the Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman. In his absence, the group members were received by Simona Broomes, Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources.