–following election of new board of directors

MANAGING Director of Woods Direct, Rafeek Khan, has retained his position as President of the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA), following the association’s elections on Tuesday.

According to a press release from GMSA, Khan, who was unopposed, will lead a newly elected 13-member board of directors throughout the fiscal year 2022-2023.

He will be supported by Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Sterling, Ramsay Ali, who will serve as First Vice-President and Chairman of the agro-processing sub-sector; Dr. Vishnu Doerga of ActionINVEST Caribbean Inc. as Second Vice-President, and Chief Financial Officer of Demerara Distillers Limited, Vasudeo Singh, as Third Vice-President and treasurer.

Khan, in delivering brief remarks to the new board, expressed his gratitude for being re-elected to serve once more as president.

He said: “I am humbled by the opportunity to serve you and the invaluable GMSA membership for a second term. I have no doubt that this year will be even more dynamic and progressive for the GMSA.”

Khan further said that it was his vision to create a dynamic and progressive GMSA by ensuring greater representation and maximising opportunities for the membership of the association.

He underscored the importance of public-private partnerships in creating and enabling, cohesive and conducive environments.

The sub-sectors within the GMSA have been re-aligned and will reflect agro-processing and agriculture as separate sectors.

The association has also established an Information Communications & Technology (ICT) sub-sector and merged forestry and mining under one heading, extractive industries.

This, Khan said, will ensure members receive maximum benefits especially at a time when Guyana is reaping the benefits of its oil and gas sector.

He stressed the importance of joint inter-ministerial working groups and how those have aided the GMSA.

On this point, Khan said he hopes to engage more ministries in the future to further enhance the work of the GMSA.

As an addition, a trade and investment committee will be set up within the GMSA to assist in the establishment and strengthening of trade relations between Guyana and other countries.

“This committee will also help to foster opportunities for investments across all our sectors by seeking out more non-traditional financing,” Khan said.