– reiterates aim to serve as an organised conduit to government, other stakeholders

THE African Business Roundtable (ABR) has defended its track record following reports in various sections of the media about the ABR and some of its current and former members.
The ABR is a grouping of Afro-Guyanese businessmen and women who are committed to achieving fair and equitable opportunities and treatment in an operational environment for businesses of Guyanese of African descent, through the use of innovative programmes and policies seeking to promote the sustainable economic and social development of Guyana.

According to a press statement from the ABR, the organisation was created to promote the sustainable economic and social development of Guyana by uplifting the economic profile and status of business enterprises in the country, and by increasing the participation and contribution of business enterprises owned and operated by Guyanese of African descent.
“We aim to serve as an organised conduit to Government and other stakeholders in society, to advocate and obtain support for policies and programmes that help to increase the participation and contribution of business enterprises of Guyanese of African descent,” said the ABR.

The group works toward building links and alliances with international business and intergovernmental organisations, to support the growth and sustainable development of Guyanese businesses, particularly those owned and operated by Guyanese of African descent.

“Our efforts are also directed towards assisting businesses to assess risk and create or facilitate the creation of facilities or mechanisms that would help them to limit loss or damage from avoidable risks that could arise in the course of business,” said the group.
All businesses owned by Guyanese of African descent are urged to join their efforts by applying for membership at their Lot 9 Thomas Lands, Georgetown head office, or give them a call on telephone number 227-7868.

As Guyanese, the group believes that the resources of Guyana should be equally available to all Guyanese, regardless of any social, spiritual or economic description that could be attached to them.

“We are convinced that as a business chamber representative of the interests of Guyanese of African descent, we can network and support each other as we seek to participate positively and meaningfully in the building of the Guyanese economy,” said the ABR.
This vision accords with their mission, which speaks to the creation of strong families and villages which can support various businesses as well.

The ABR is geared towards meeting the objectives of national development through the implementation of business initiatives that will help to grow the Guyanese economy using a variety of strategies, including the development of business enterprises of all levels, owned and operated by Guyanese of African descent.

It is against this backdrop that the ABR reiterated that it will continue to represent any legitimate business interest of its members, inclusive of all business sectors, be it construction, aviation, telecommunication, agricultural or oil and gas among others.
A member of the ABR, Eric Phillips made the news headline following a claim by the Kaieteur News that he was one of the beneficial owners of a company, African Business Roundtable Oil and Gas Exploration (ABR O&G), which applied for oil blocks in 2016.
The claim was subsequently absorbed by Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo and the People’s Progressive Party which he heads. The party subsequently latched on to the issue, claiming that Phillips’s presence at the agency and his being associated with the ABR O&G represents a conflict of interest.

Noting that there was much creative journalism in the matter, the former SARA executive reiterated that he was not actively involved in ABR Oil & Gas since 2016, but was President of the ABR until 2018.

He reasoned that the ABR is a business service organisation, similar to the Private Sector Commission or the Guyana Manufacturers Association or the Chinese Business Association.
Further, he stated, “The ABR Oil & Gas is a separate entity which applied, like many other groups, for one of the remaining blocks in 2016. I was not involved in the application process as there was a separate management team responsible for that company.
“This confusion in the media, between the dates and especially between the African Business Roundtable (ABR) and ABR Oil & Gas, the applicant in 2016, gives rise to the perception of a conflict, therefore a conflict exists.

“The application for the block in 2016 was never responded to by the Government of Guyana (GoG) or the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) since 2016, although an award was made by the government in 2017 to Tullow for the Orinduik Block, therefore indicating the ABR Oil & Gas application was passed over,” Phillips added.