– says Agri. Minister

MINISTER of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha says his ministry will soon collaborate with a number of stakeholders to expand the fishing industry across the country, as there are ‘big plans’ in store for the sector.

Minister Mustapha made this disclosure on Tuesday during a tour to the Pritipaul Singh Investments Shrimp and Tuna Processing Plant in McDoom, East Bank Demerara.
The Minister, who said he was impressed with the efficiency of the company’s production, noted that collaborations and investments in companies like these will soon see the fishing industry coming more to the forefront in building the country’s economy.

“This operation here is a model operation, with the contribution it has been making in terms of creating employment for people. With the investment he is making, this will have a direct effect on the economy, and as a government, we recognise the contribution of the fishing industry, which is why we have put measures in place,” Minister Mustapha said.
He further stated that the Ministry of Agriculture, through its fisheries department, will be working closely with Mr. Pritipaul Singh and other stakeholders in the sector to expand the processing plant to create more job opportunities for Guyanese across the country.

He also noted that with the removal of the Valued Added Tax (VAT) on a number of equipment, and the sweeping budget allocation for the agriculture sector, farmers, fishermen and other stakeholders will see more money in their pockets.
Meanwhile, Mr. Pritipaul Singh disclosed that he has over 1,500 persons employed at his company who work on a daily basis to provide the best produce they can for the country as well as for foreign export.

“My company is a seafood company, and we export to all parts of the world. We basically have our own boats; we harvest, we process and we export all over the world. We also buy from the whole country; we buy fish, and we also do our own shrimping,” Mr. Singh said.

He noted that the goal of the company is to provide employment for the nation’s people, and to expand the fishing industry through foreign export.
“Our goal, basically, is to expand our operations, so we could be more productive and head in a direction where we could be in control in whatever we are doing. And in the process of doing that, we motivate our staff by ensuring they have the best quality and standards and environment that they are in,” the businessman said.
As it relates to the removal of VAT on a number of equipment, Mr. Singh said, “Everything I buy here is being added VAT; as a result, I can reclaim it. I mean, it is a plus; if I can have that returning to me, it means it is an incentive to my workers. I can look at increasing people’s pay; I can give them give them more benefits.”