Re-engineer regional supply chain
President Dr. Irfaan Ali
President Dr. Irfaan Ali

–President Ali tells maritime stakeholders at ACMF Anchor Awards

UNLESS there is an increase in the production capacity, and improvement in the system of production through the use of the region’s strategic geographic location, there will not be expeditious changes in the maritime sector, President Dr. Irfaan Ali has warned.

Dr. Ali said it is time for the regional supply chain to be re-engineered during his address as special guest speaker at the American Caribbean Maritime Foundation (ACMF) Anchor Awards Gala, held on Friday at the Ft. Lauderdale Yacht Club in Florida.

Addressing stalwarts in the cargo and cruise industry, the president said that in the region, there is great inefficiency in the transport and logistics systems.
He told stakeholders that efforts are already underway in Guyana to re-engineer the supply system, and local infrastructure is being built out.

Dr. Ali related that Guyana, with the support of the Government of the United Kingdom under the Commonwealth Marine Economy Plan, has implemented a plan for the sustainable use of the country’s marine space.

“Under this plan, the government will create and devise a national marine strategy that will be country-specific, and in keeping with our low-carbon development strategy,” he said.
The Head of State added that the sustainable use of the space will open up the potential for renewable energy, shipping, port development, and marine opportunities.

He added that to cater to these opportunities, his government intends to diversify trade to extend to other areas, including coastal engineering, naval architecture, marine service, port engineering, planning and development, marine pollution prevention, and fisheries management, among other things.

“…Part of our strategy is to build up our human resources in all these fields; you will not see a concentration of investment in human resource development oil and gas,” President Ali said, adding:

“One of the good things about oil and gas is that it gives us much-needed revenue to build out the other sectors of the economy; to make the other sectors competitive… And what we are able to do is to support the region in building a first-world, first-class human resource capacity capable of serving the region’s needs, and those of the global community.”

As part of the re-engineering of the supply chain, the president said that “a huge business hub” could be created to supply the cruise line industry with all the food it needs.
“What do we need to do this?” the President asked rhetorically, noting that to achieve this goal, the trade barriers need to be removed, and further investment in infrastructure is needed.

“We are not talking the talk alone; we are spending billions of dollars, as I speak to you, to create that infrastructure; to create this re-engineering for the supply logistic chain,” he said.
Dr. Ali pointed out that a contract was recently awarded for the first phase of the Linden to Lethem roadway, which will eventually open greater opportunities for trade between Guyana and Brazil.

“While we are making these investments, we need everyone to come along, so we can capitalise on the potential; we are talking about hundreds of tonnes of produce that can be shipped out,” the Head of State said.

He added that his government is also spending billions of US dollars to open up new lands for agricultural production.
“I’m telling you now; we’re ready to get going in all of the sectors that you can think about,” the Presidents said at the award ceremony, noting that Guyana is also committed to building a world-class tourism and hospitality sector.

The annual Anchor Awards of the ACMF honours the big names in the cargo and cruise industry for their accomplishments and positive impact on the Caribbean shipping and maritime sector.
Funds from the event support scholarships for aspiring Caribbean maritime professionals.

Launched in 2016, the ACMF has focused on creating a cadre of seafarers and maritime professionals from the CARICOM region to take up officer, engineering, navigational and other positions in the sector.

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