AS Guyana’s economy continues to grow, the Private Sector Commission (PSC) is hoping to build its membership by setting up more of its representative subgroups across the country.

Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle recently, Chairman of the PSC, Paul Cheong, said that while the body has membership across Guyana, this will be ramped up by June 2022.

As an example of its growth focus, Cheong said the PSC is looking to set up a chamber of commerce in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) soon.

He explained that as far as membership of the imminent chamber of commerce for Region Five is concerned, businesses will be invited to join and would be required to pay a fee which would give them full membership rights, including an opportunity to serve on the Executive Committee of that body.

Once the Region Five chamber has been established, similar business networks will be set up in Regions One (Barima-Waini) and Eight (Potaro-Siparuni).

The PSC currently has membership in Lethem, Linden, Berbice, Bartica and in Georgetown, where its headquarters is located.

Those members form part of several associations including the Guyana Manufacturing & Services Association (GMSA), the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana and the Guyana Gold & Diamond Miners’ Association (GGDMA).

In 2021, the Essequibo Chamber of Commerce and the Women’s Chamber of Commerce were added.

“So, we have membership throughout the country, geographically, and throughout the different sectors too, so we will continue to look at places that we don’t have contact in those areas and try to establish or re-establish in those areas,” Cheong told this publication.

As for foreign companies interested in membership, he said, they must be members of at least two sectoral organisations such as a chamber of commerce and the manufacturing association if they are operating in the country, as this is a requirement in keeping with the Constitution of Guyana.

Then, he continued, they can join as a corporate member, if they are in good standing and meet the requirements.

Cheong said the PSC aims to bring together all private sector organs and business entities under one national body.