PRESIDENT of the Linden Chamber of Commerce and Industrial Development (LCCID), Mr. Marvin Burns, has said the township is an ideal place to establish a special economic zone (SEZ) for importing and exporting. In a recent telephone interview, he said the town is eligible for that status because it will be in a position to capitalise on the rehabilitation and upgrading of the Linden-Lethem road, the commercial opportunities offered by the Guyana/Brazil corridor and the proposed Berbice deep water harbour.
Burns also alluded to improved and extended facilities and services to be available when the fibre optic cable from Brazil is in place.
His vision of the proposed SEZ is a non-tariff port where exported or imported goods are exempt from duties.
Burns said the LCCID feels that establishing an SEZ would readily address the commercial development of Linden, expanding on recent commercial infrastructure developments, such as the Guyana National Industrial Corporation (GNIC) container transshipment terminal.
He said the LCCID focus is to make every effort to see the town develop into a hub for inter-regional trade, creating opportunities for existing businesses and new start-up ones and encouraging inward investment to create more employment.
According to him, the Linden SEZ would offer superior quality infrastructure, including, but not limited to, land, utilities, convenient access to logistical and business services and other similar facilities and attract regional and established national companies wishing to expand their export markets, to open branches or even relocate to Linden.
His proposition is for the SEZ to be directly linked and serviced by the new Customs revenue office in Mackenzie and the LCCID to expand its current service to issuing Certificates of Origin.
Other anticipated economic benefits of the Linden SEZ are foreign exchange earnings, attraction of foreign direct investment and technological transfer and knowledge spillover, Burns said.
He said LCCID members will soon be approaching the relevant government minister with their proposals for consideration and, hopefully, positive action.