- President Chambers of Commerce holds successful meeting

Georgetown, GINA, January 29, 2004

Government and the Private Sector are moving to hold a business summit during the second quarter of this year.
This is one of the many decisions coming out of the quarterly meeting President Bharrat Jagdeo hosted with the Heads of Chambers of Commerce and the Guyana Manufacturers Association.
Also at the meeting was Adviser to the President on Investment Maniram Prashad.
In an interview Prashad described the lengthy meeting as successful, and it enabled “frank and constructive discussions” between the parties. It was also well attended.
The Investment Adviser noted that at the meeting the decision was taken to hold a business summit for Government and the Private Sector. A small committee was established to make preparations for the event.
The Committee, led by Prashad, comprises GMA President Ramesh Dukhoo, President of the West Demerara Chamber of Commerce Joshua Safeek, Representative of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce Brian James, President of the Essequibo Chamber of Commerce Samuel Arjune, President of the Berbice Chamber of Commerce Rohan Murray and President of the Association of Regional Chambers Mumtaz Ali.
“The Committee is tasked with preparing position papers and the agenda for the Summit,’ Prashad said.
The President also tasked Prashad with following up on all regional investment and business matters before the next meeting which is slated for the first week of April.
Other issues discussed by the two parties included progress on the Berbice Bridge, the road from Lethem to Georgetown, the current state of affairs in the country and the political and economical situation in Guyana.
The Private Sector will also be meeting the Minister of Finance Sasenarine Kowlessar shortly for their input in the 2004 Budget.
Commenting on specific issues raised by the Chambers of Commerce, Prashad noted that the four Chambers in Berbice voiced their concerns to the Head of State about the sloth in progress with regard to a Berbice Industrial Site. The Chambers are proposing that if the New Amsterdam Town Council is delaying the process of obtaining the land for the site, the Administration should look for other available land in Berbice, as the need is urgent.
President Jagdeo in turn agreed to examine the proposal, but made no commitment on the issue. The Chambers hierarchy also called on the President to have the Administration initiate disciplinary action against the New Amsterdam Town Council since it is “holding back developmental works.”
President of the Linden Chamber of Commerce Wilfred Simon reported to the President that business in Linden had improved considerable with the ongoing Linden Economic Advancement Programme (LEAP).
President Jagdeo requested a report from the Port Kaituma Chamber of Commerce President Crafton Harris about the state of affairs there, so that Government may address problems affecting the community.
The President was told that the airstrip is not in the best of condition. However, James, who is also the Chairman of the Civil Aviation, noted that the airstrip is slated for repairs this year and it is one of the priority projects.
Prashad is also expected to arrange a meeting between the Commission of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and the Private Sector to discuss systems in the Customs Department under the new legislation.
According to Prashad, those present at the meeting were appreciative of the decisions taken and the initiatives to be worked on. They also voiced appreciation of the President’s initiative to meet the Private Sector quarterly.