THE annual New Amsterdam Town Week was officially launched on Wednesday with a call for quality and efficiency for the planned activities, aimed at attracting visitors to the township as it celebrates 124 years as a municipality.Deryck Cummings, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, officially launched the seven-day event, scheduled to commence on October 25. He complimented the planning committee for its transparency and level of commitment, which he said will go well for stakeholders and stimulate the interest of persons who can be involved.

The exhibitions, which will include sports, performing arts, care for the elderly, education, medical outreaches and a street fair, will be held in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, the Regional Democratic Council, and the Berbice Chambers of Commerce under the theme: ‘Enhancing Social and Economic Development through National Unity’.

The annual activity is happening at a time when there is a lot of enthusiasm for New Amsterdam to return to its former glory, even as in excess of 1,000 persons pass through New Amsterdam daily with the recent introduction of the water taxis.

However, the gathering, which consisted mainly of members of the municipality, Regional Democratic Council, Chamber of Commerce and the citizenry, was urged to focus on quality and efficiency.

“Focus on what you can manage, and market it in such a way that all will benefit, including businesses and hotels. The public relations aspect of the planning must be in full gear — the marketing aspect — even as the ministry will produce memorabilia and assist with the publicity to commemorate the event”, Mr Cummings advised.

With the first ever Business Expo to be held in Georgetown during the last weekend in November, Cummings expressed optimism that the best exhibits at the local town week event can be on display at the exposition, which will be heavily subsidised by the Ministry of Business.

He noted that, like the Town Week, the Business Expo is intended to highlight the entrepreneurship, skills and creativity of small businesses.

“Similarly, there will be no washdown, no entertainment, which will allow persons to focus on creativity and determination of those who are willing to subsidise their income by self-employment,” Cummings advised.

“There is a wave of restoration…challenge the committee to do something special a week prior to the event. Look for national events that are upcoming, which would allow the committee to ‘piggy back on’, so that there will be more outcomes without the committee having to organise everything,” Cummings advised.

“New Amsterdam is to operate during the week of activities like the Sandcover bird, which flies forward but its head turns backwards…so you look back at what you had given up, or at what you were unable to do because you were constrained. Aim to get those things back while looking forward, embrace the future and the current policies which were pledged by the administration prior to being elected,” Mr Cummings advised.

Earlier, Mayor Claude Henry gave an insight to the first ever debate by the disciplined forces on National Security, while Coordinator Mr Errol Fingal gave a detailed description of all other planned activities. (Jeune Bailey Vankeric)