-President Ali urges local private sector as int’l restaurant chain P.F. Chang’s opens in Georgetown

WHILE Guyana has been garnering the attention of many international brands, it is the belief of the country’s President, Dr. Irfaan Ali that it is now time to take the country’s melting pot of culture and unique history to the global market.

Dr. Ali during his remarks at the official launch of international Asian and Chinese food restaurant chain, P.F. Chang’s in Georgetown, on Sunday evening urged local private sector players to place emphasis on a ‘home-grown’ brand that will see Guyana being well-positioned in the global market.

“I believe while we bring international brands to Guyana, we are developing Brand Guyana, and Guyana carries with it a different weight, a different look and different style in today’s world and in today’s economy.”

He added: “How can we develop a home-grown local brand that we will take global? We have a rich culture, a rich tradition in taste buds, in our food. Imagine being innovative and bold enough to first develop a local brand, to believe in that brand, to position that brand and then to take that brand globally.”

Guyana, he stressed has much to offer and opportunities are abound beyond the food and restaurant industry. He believes there is room to further push local craft and jewellery.

“We have to start thinking outside of the box and being bold in that thinking in creating a Guyanese brand that we will position globally. These things would set us apart,” the Head of State explained.

He reminded those gathered of the country’s current economic trajectory, noting that Guyana carries much more ‘weight’ and this creates opportunities to invest and promote the country.

“Our country and where our country is going gives us that easier opportunity to do this. So, my challenge to us here today is as we expand this economy and welcome all the new brands… I want us to use this opportunity as we celebrate the arrival of a global brand in our country to see how we can now position a local brand that we can develop globally,” the Head of State said.
To promote ‘Brand Guyana’ the Government of Guyana has been making massive investments in the local tourism industry.

By the end of next year some 10 new hotels are expected to open. However, President Ali noted that the private sector must work proactively alongside the government to create traffic that will support all the new services that are expected to come on stream.

“You don’t need three million people living in Guyana, but you need at least more than two million people passing through Guyana to utilise the services that we are investing in and creating… And you will see over the coming months, a very strategic approach in addressing this. How do we create events? How do we create tournaments? How do we create the ecosystem to support this initiative of bringing people into the country and that is what is important for us.”

‘NOT MERELY A RESTAURANT’

P.F. Chang’s which is located at 57 High Street, Kingston, will officially open its doors to the public today.

The international franchise brings to Guyana a unique variety of Asian cuisines and according to the Chief Executive Officer of Corum Group, Clairmont Cummings, it’s just not merely a restaurant.

“It is about bringing a beloved global brand to the heart of Guyana. It is a testament to how Marquee Brands is increasing viewing Guyana as a place for investments and partnerships and as a group, we believe fundamentally that investments like these will only add diversity to the local culinary landscape,” Cummings said.

With an intent to create an ambience of community, PF Chang’s is “a place where friends and family can gather celebrate, talk through issues.”

“I am truly excited to see how PF Chang’s will bring people together to continue to bridge the human connections to the universal language,” Cummings added.