BUSINESS Minister Dominic Gaskin has welcomed the launching of two new websites which will not only make doing business in Guyana easier but also reduce the possibility of corruption between businesses and Government.

At the launching which took place on Friday at the Pegasus Hotel, it was revealed that the two agencies benefiting from this venture are the Deeds and Commercial Registry Authority (DCRA) and the Land Registry.

The Land Registry facilitates dealing with lands within land registration areas while DCRA administers the laws affecting land.

Gaskin told the gathering that the websites can play a role in anti-corruption in relation to the Deeds, Commercial and Land Registries.

“We’re not unique in that regard, but Guyana does have a problem, and it’s a big problem, with corruption. And by having processes transparent and automated, it does certainly reduce the likelihood of corruption between businesses and Government,” he said.
He added that while some persons will resist the new websites’ transparency features, the changeover is necessary to move Guyana’s business sector forward.
“I know that not everybody is happy with this, not everybody likes this and we do expect a lot of push back but it’s something that has to be done if we want to become a developed country any time in the near future.

“And anything that fights corruption, any initiative that aids in the fight against corruption, I believe is an initiative that the Guyanese people will support. Not everyone, but I believe most of us are good Guyanese, we like our country, we want our country to be developed and we know that we cannot develop as long as we allow corrupt practices to persist and prevail,” he said.

Through the Ministry’s engagement with the World Bank Group there was an assessment of the local regulatory processes which identified a number of areas for reform of which the websites form a part.

These reform ventures, Gaskin said, will help to improve the business environment and encourage new investments and more competitive businesses in Guyana.
The websites also form a part of the regulatory actions associated with the Doing Business Index which is an instrument the World Bank utilises to assess countries’ economic and business environment.

Gaskin commended the agencies which worked in collaboration with the Business and Legal Affairs Ministries to complete the websites and spoke highly of its many functions.
“These two websites that are being launched today will certainly make it easier for those seeking to register a business in Guyana or seeking to register property in Guyana or transfer property, or register a mortgage or access any of the other services provided by these critical agencies,” he said, further stating:
“I’ve had a look and the website and… they provide very clear and concise information on the various processes required and also on the duration of those processes. I was very happy and it’s very simple and user-friendly.”
At the function, Registrar of the Commercial Registry (ag) Nicole Prince said that the websites present the opportunity for the agency to do away with its ‘Matters Filed Book’ and ‘Matters Submitted book’ in exchange for a coordinated, digital platform.
“This project has come at a right time because it synchronises the DCRA’s digital agenda,” she said.

Meanwhile, speaking too, was General Manager of the National Data Management Authority Francis Simmons who related the body’s support of the new websites which he said matches the principles of a 21st century government.
“We should see constant improvements and additions to the website in the future based on the feedback received and a further desire to add more citizen-centric services to your websites. The National Data Management Authority with its key mandate of providing the foundation or highway for 21st century government in Guyana will continue to support the Deeds, Commercial and Land Registries in all of their digital efforts,” he said.
The two sites can be accessed at: https://dcra.gov.gy/ and https://landregistry.gov.gy/ .