PRIME Minister, Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips, on Monday, received a cheque for over $3.4M from the Guyana Bank of Trade and Industry (GBTI) to contribute to the disaster relief efforts of the Civil Defence Commission (CDC).

The donation comes on the heels of the CDC’s efforts to assist fellow CARICOM state, St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), after the eruption of the Soufriere volcano on the main island last month.

Scores of businesses contributed to the relief efforts, which aided the Government of Guyana to send three shipments of emergency items to the affected islands.
Prime Minister Phillips said the cheque of 3,440,138, which was presented to him during a simple ceremony in his office, is a timely donation.
The financial contribution by GBTI, he said, is also a good show of corporate social responsibility.

“I thank GBTI for this donation; it is timely and it will contribute to further disaster-related efforts… we must commend GBTI for their display of corporate social responsibility as they continue to support Guyana’s efforts in the management of disasters.”
He added that the money will be used in activities executed by the CDC, including further assistance to St Vincent.

GBTI Chief Executive Officer (ag), James Foster, said the bank takes its corporate social responsibility seriously and sees the development of Guyana as a part of its duty.
“Our responsibility is to help develop Guyana. A strong Guyana will help to support a strong CARICOM region, and it’s very important that we work towards that continued development,” said Foster.

Also present was Public Relations/Marketing Manager of GBTI, Pamela Binda-Pryce and Deputy Director-General of the CDC, Major Loring Benons.