– lauded by President Ali for tremendous contribution to Guyana

WELL-known Guyanese businessman, Andrew Mendes is among four persons in the region to be bestowed with the 2020 Anthony N Sabga Caribbean Awards for Excellence in entrepreneurship.

The profile of Mr. Mendes, shared by the Anthony N Sabga Caribbean Awards for Excellence, describes him as an entrepreneur who brings a welcome change to the extractive industries (logging and oil).

He is the Managing Director of Farfan and Mendes Ltd (FML), a family business in Guyana. A press release from the Office of the President notes that Mr. Mendes is also a passionate advocate of corporate responsibility, high-quality customer service and products, and improving standards.

“As well as giving back to his industry, Mr. Mendes gives back to the wider society; supporting various causes related to youth, community and conservation. He is an advocate and activist in addressing alcoholism, drug abuse and mental health in society through active support of groups that focus on these issues,” the Office of the President has noted.
According to the release, given the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Chairman of the Awards, Mr. Andrew Sabga, in consultation with the Eminent Persons Panel, decided that the circumstances require separate ceremonies in the Laureates’ home territories.

Other winners of the prestigious award include Trinidad and Tobago astronomer, Dr. Shirin Haque; St. Lucian sculptor, Jallim Eudovic; and Jamaican social scientist, Dr. Olivene Burke.
Meanwhile, Guyana’s President, Dr. Irfaan Ali has recognised and lauded the achievements of Mr. Mendes.

“Please allow me to recognise and celebrate Andrew for his tremendous contribution to Guyana; for the upliftment of so many lives, and the fulfilment of your social responsibility in all that you do in growing your company,” the President was quoted as saying by the Office of the President.

The Head of State also charged Mr. Mendes him with inspiring the next generation, and takeing the lead in building local capacity. He acknowledged that the Awards serve as a reminder of the enormous reservoir of talent within the Caribbean, and have become the region’s equivalent of the Nobel Prize, complete with its laureates.

The President said that the awardees have over the years exemplified the inherent capacity of our people to overcome the most daunting of challenges.
“Sacrifice and struggles are carved out in our DNA, and has been molded by our region’s experience in surviving despite the odds, and Andrew is an excellent example of this,” President Ali said. “It is the spirit instilled though our history which allows us, the Caribbean Star, to shine so brightly in the global arena of excellence. The genius of our people is indisputable,” he added.

The Head of State also recognised other Nobel Laureates from the region, including Sir Arthur Lewis, Derek Walcott, and V.S Naipaul.
President Ali pointed to the importance of harnessing the Caribbean’s extraordinary talent and resourcefulness, particularly as member states navigate through the difficulties presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Once our people remain our most valuable resource, the sun will never set on the Caribbean civilsation,” he said.
He added that for Caribbean countries to insulate their economies and citizens from exogenous shocks, they must strengthen traditional sectors, improve economic competitiveness, and steer economies into new, innovative areas.

This, the President said, requires the commitment to high standards of excellence, the “tapping” of the creative potential and genius of the Caribbean people, as well as the retailoring of the education system to encourage inventiveness and innovation.
The President then charged Mr. Mendes to lead the way in bringing together similar minds in the private sector to bolster the country’s technical capacity, particularly with the emerging oil-and-gas sector.