-Gov’t to ensure regulatory bodies uniformly enforce laws for Chinese businesses

WHILE acknowledging the concerns echoed by some citizens about the increasing number of Chinese shops/ supermarkets in communities across the country, People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo noted that it would be difficult for the government to restrict any foreign businesses from operating.

Dr Jagdeo, however, told a Thursday news conference that foreign businesses that do not comply with the country’s laws and regulations would be held accountable.
In some sections of the media, it was reported that local business owners had participated in picketing action to protest the establishment of Chinese-owned supermarkets and general stores setting up shop in their communities.
“I spoke with about four persons and they recognise that you can’t stop foreigners once they get access into the country, because we don’t have restrictions on foreigners or foreign companies establishing businesses in Guyana. There’s no restriction on it and it is hard to put a restriction based on nationality.”

He pointed out that imposing any restriction based on nationality would be discriminatory and as such, a restriction would be in violation of the World Trade Organization (WTO) arrangements.
“They recognise that you can’t stop a foreigner once they get access into the country, because we don’t have restrictions on foreigners or foreign countries establishing business in Guyana, there is no restriction on it and it’s hard to put a restriction based on nationality. We can’t say the Chinese can’t open business here.”

Such restriction based on nationality could also place Guyana in a very difficult foreign policy situation; however, based on competitive disadvantage; the government could push to level the playing field.
“So the people who are claiming competitive disadvantage recognise that, however, they are saying that they do not have a level playing field and they have a point there.”
According to Jagdeo, during his engagement, some business owners pointed out that there may be some Chinese businesses that sell several items at one shop without the necessary permits to sell those items.
This, he said, must stop and will be addressed.

“They have argued that sometimes these companies bypass regulatory approval and the regulatory agencies don’t hold them accountable for the laws of Guyana.”
He noted that the government has made it clear to the regulatory bodies that they must enforce the laws.
“They are not applying the law uniformly…“[If] you’re selling different things like alcohol, you can sell it there in a supermarket without getting the requisite permission. You need separate permits to sell different things. We’ve made it clear to the regulatory bodies that you have to enforce the laws uniformly.”

He added: “We are paying careful attention to this, so [to] the extent that they have these issues occurring the people who are protesting they are right about it. I would have done that myself. If I’m next door to someone and he doesn’t have to observe the law and I have to do so, particularly when I’m a native to this country and then you have a person of foreign origin opening something there.”