Guyana on its way to realising full potential…
-Private Sector more equipped to become engine of economic growth-Minister Prashad

Government/Private Sector collaboration has over the year’s been fruitful as several policy initiative have been successfully formulised with the aim of increasing national competitiveness while promoting economic growth.
The National Competitiveness Summit 2011 which is being held under the theme, “Partnering to promote economic growth and development,” today kicked off attracting scores of private sector bodies and Government officials.
The event which was held at the Guyana International Conference Centre (GICC), saw several priority areas for development being discussed including trade strategy, infrastructure to promote competitiveness, agro-processing, forestry, development, export promotion zones, manufacturing technology, alternate energy and small business development.
Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Manniram Prashad in delivering the opening remarks, said that the summit which is a structured public/private sector partnership seeks to build a competitive advantage for Guyana.
Since the successful host of the 2010 summit, institutional arrangements were put in place to support ongoing formulation and implementation of the National Competitiveness Strategy through the establishment of a National Competitiveness Council and Strategy Unit.
“The evaluation of the impact of the thematic areas should be undertaken in tamdem with the foundation of the National Competitiveness Strategy which was built for realising the eight growth areas identified,” he said.
Among the many growth sub-sector areas identified under the National Competitiveness Strategy include;- agriculture and agro-processing, sea food and aquaculture, forest products, information technology and tourism.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), was also inked between the Guyana Government and the Private Sector for the creation of the 12-membert National Competitiveness Council.
“We are happy to report that Five-years later, not only do we continue to have private sector involvement at the highest level of the NCC, but many of the public/private sub-committees that were formed to take charge of implementation of specific group of actions which are also chaired by the private sector,” Minister Prashad highlighted.
Minister Prashad while stating that Government and the Private Sector can today confidently deliberate on partnering to promote economic growth and development in the economy, said that an evaluation report was also implemented by independent experts who described the results as ‘impressive’.
“For an economy to grow and to be competitive the correct enabling environment must first be created. It is with this vision in mind that the Government of Guyana developed the NCS as a roadmap to achieving sustainable economic growth,” he said.

Over the years, Government has been embarking on bold steps to promote an environment that supports competitiveness to further enhancing growth and development.
Legislative and other reforms have also been embarked upon while investment in human resources continues to escalate.
President of FITUG, Carvil Duncan who spoke on the development of human resource in a globally competitive environment, said that as the economy advances there must be a balance for everyone in society to benefit, especially the working class.
Duncan also called on members of the private sector to adjust their requirements so as to ensure that employers are more comfortable in the working environment.
“Today, modern society and in the midst of a complex environment, the world economy and the markets are quickly developing. In analysing these competitive factors it is the basis from which everything begins and on which everything depends on human resource,” he said.
Ramesh Dookhoo Chairman of the Private Sector Commission said that while there must be a total diversification of existing sectors, developing countries continue to be challenge in the globalised economy, due to increasing of technological changes.
While speaking on the many initiatives implemented to boost business development, Dookhoo said that a small business development act was also passed to better facilitate the private sector and farmers making research more relevant; corporate taxes were reduced; trade opportunities expanded and infrastructure created to facilitate trade.
“In 2010/11, Guyana ranked at 110 and it is expected that with the competitiveness policy implemented the country’s ranking will continue to increase. So for my friends in the private sector who deemed this meeting as political you are dead wrong, these meetings have been taking place since 1994,” he said.
While noting that the private sector has now been given an opportunity to enhance government policy, he urged the members to use the opportunity constructively to ensure that meaningful contribution is made.
The National Competitiveness Strategy which was launched in May 2006 at the Presidential Summit on Private Sector Development, following an extensive collaboration partnership between the Government and the Private Sector, acts as a central point for policy leadership to ensure ongoing strategy development and implementation.

Committee appointed to review applicants for radio licencing

President Bharrat Jagdeo has taken a decision to constitute the Committee to commence reviewing applications for radio licencing, according to Head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr. Roger Luncheon.
The move by Government comes in accordance with a commitment made by the President and with the recent enactment of the Broadcasting Legislation.
The long-awaited Broadcasting Bill which make provision for the establishment of the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority was passed into Law on July 28.
The Authority will be responsible for the regulation, supervision and development of the National Broadcasting System which will provide for the licencing of broadcasting agencies and the production and broadcasting of television and radio programmes.
The Act shall also be construed and applied in a manner that is consistent with the right to freedom of expression and journalistic ethics, the provision and production of quality and balanced information for the Guyanese public.
The Bill which will enhance transparency in Government and the promotion of freedom of expression, will introduce a new regime for regulating and facilitating enterprise in the broadcasting sector, while at the same time ensure that all radio and television stations continue to play their traditional role of educating, informing as well as entertaining the community.

TOP

Full staff complement to man GECOM’s elections preparations by mid-October -HPS


The Guyana Government has recently been re-assured by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), that constraints with respect to securing staffing for electoral and polling day activities, have since been addressed and a full-staff complement is expected on board by mid-October.
Head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr. Roger Luncheon who made this announcement on Wednesday during a post-Cabinet briefing at the Office of the President, noted that thus far, two overseas observer missions from CARICOM and the Organization of American States (OAS) have since confirmed their participation.
The Commonwealth Secretariat would also commission a feasibility mission subsequent to which a decision is expected to be made.
“The other invitees offered various explanations for not participating in the electoral observer mission for the 2011 elections. The public announcement by GECOM that was made that November 14 was its earliest ready date, from all intentions, the president would not be expected to set a polling date prior to this,” he said.
Contracts for the procurement of polling day equipment, tools and materials were also presented and approved by Cabinet and according to Dr. Luncheon, GECOM has assured that thus far, no ‘hiccups’ have been recorded as preparations are proceeding as planned.
“A revised list of electors has since been circulated to 17 political parties which have indicated their intention to participate, while GECOM has advised that an official list would be made available within one week’s time,” the HPS said.

PPP/C Gov’t to host massive rally in October

The ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), have announced its intention to host a massive elections campaign on October 2, 2011.
The campaign rally which will be held at the Albion Road (Sports Complex), Berbice, Region Six is expected to see top local artiest performing.

Trotman named as AFC’s Prime Ministerial candidate

Following the withdrawal of Shiela Holder as the party’s Prime Ministerial candidate for health reasons last week, the AFC recently announced Rapheal Trotman as a replacement.
Trotman along with executive member Cathy Hughes had been nominated to replace Holder prompting the `party’s National Executive Committee to meet. Hughes subsequently withdrew at Saturday’s meeting and threw her support behind a Ramjattan/Trotman ticket, the party said.
“I was really very happy and proud to be nominated and to be considered. During the course of our deliberations and through the process we went through this morning I did decide to withdraw my nomination and I decided that my contributions would be best served putting them behind the very capable Khemraj and Raphael who I’ve worked very closely with over the last six to seven years,” Hughes told reporters following the meeting.

Trotman had previously indicated that he was not in a position to be the PM candidate because of health reasons. However, On Saturday he indicated that those issues have since been resolved.
“Last October I was in a place where I had some medical concerns of my own; I have since had doctors here and abroad examine me and again, perhaps miraculously, I have been given a good and clean bill of health,” the AFC Leader stated
Meanwhile, a statement from the party said there was unanimous support from the executive members for Trotman as PM candidate.
Shiela Holder, 65, announced her withdrawal on September 9 stating that it was medical reasons and that she would require “urgent medical treatment” overseas for the next few months.
She had been hospitalised locally in recent months. She is currently in the US where she sought advanced care and treatment with the expectation of making a full recovery.

APNU unclear whether free University education will be priority once in Government

A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), has promised free eduation frin nursery to secondary once in Government. However the party appears reluctant when it comes to the fate of free University Education.
During a recently held symposium, APNU’s Presidential Candidate, David Granger assured that education from nursery to secondary will remain free, while university being offered free of cost remained an area to be discussed as he noted that the party would first have to look at books to ascertain that of the institutions finances.

While noting that local and international sources would have to first be identified to revive the ailing university, he said that the facility is currently beset by several constraints including underpaid lecturers, poor research facility and dilapidated laboratories.
“Its standard has been compromised by the cheap attitude of the Peoples Progressive party, which have aided in the strangulation of the facility,” he said.
Granger promised that an APNU-led government would provide free school transportation, free meals and free uniforms to ensure that children attend school. Steps would be taken, he said, to pay teachers more and increase the retirement age.