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…President calls on diaspora to return and invest
By Lisa Hamilton
At the launching of the Canada-Guyana Chamber of Commerce (CGCC) on Friday, President Irfaan Ali reminded the founding members that, moving forward, all collaborations must be mutually beneficial to both the investors and the Guyanese people.
At the event hosted at the Arthur Chung Conference Center (ACCC), the President said that the role of the Government is to facilitate such relationships but it also depends on the Private Sector to ensure that the relationship rebounds for the Guyanese people.
“I read, constantly, different opinions and I respect every single opinion on the role of foreign investment in our new economy. I read the criticism and I read the positives but important enough, the Government understands the reality and I think the Private Sector here in Guyana and the global private sector understands the reality and that is why it is so critical for us to match the skills, match the technology and bring together that capital investment and framework that is needed to take our country forward,” he said.
Ali also called on the diaspora to return to Guyana to invest their resources and skills and expressed best wishes for the Chamber moving forward noting that it was an “overwhelming vote of confidence” in Guyana’s future.
High Commissioner of Canada to Guyana, Lillian Chatterjee has been hailed as the brainchild for the formation of the Chamber. In brief remarks at the launching she said that while COVID-19 has delayed the launching, she is pleased that Canada and Guyana are able to capitalize on the many things they have in common.
She said that the Chamber has already raised funds to be sustainable for its first two years and assured Guyanese that they will benefit from the partnerships formed.
“From what I have witnessed from how your Government is interacting with Canadian investors, I can personally attest that your Government is insisting that external investors train and employ Guyanese citizens and is extracting maximum benefit for Guyana,” she said.
The Chamber will have offices in Toronto, Canada and Georgetown, Guyana and will offer advice and concierge services to its members looking to do business in both countries. It will also serve as a business advisory body to Governments on bilateral trade matters and investment.
Its founding members hail from sectors such as banking and financing, human resources supply and management, food and beverage production, retail, insurance, international charitable organisations, logistics, medical services, mining, oil and gas exploration, oil and gas services and construction material and hardware supply.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Chamber is Natalia Seepersaud. Meanwhile, the Board of Directors include: Chair, Anand Beharry; Co-Chair, Guyanese-born Winston Kassim (Canada-based); Board Secretary, Patricia Bacchus; Treasurer, Suraj Mattai and Directors Fareed Amin, Anthony Whyte, Liz Wyatt, Dr. Vishnu Doerga, Shabir Hussein, Andrew Mendes, Dr. Suresh Narine, Scott Young and Caron Hawco.
When Beharry spoke he said the members of the Chamber will have access to a wide network of entrepreneurs and decision-makers to create and facilitate business opportunities. He also pointed to the opportunity for diaspora engagement and for the diversification of Guyana’s economy through the Chamber.
Meanwhile, in a video-recorded message, President and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, Perrin Beatty said that the Guyana/Canada Chamber of Commerce is well positioned to help businesses increase trade and build on the countries’ shared history.
He congratulated the Chambers CEO and the Canadian High Commission for helping to make the launching a success.
In another message, Canadian Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology, Andrew Parsons said: “We view this as a very important step to solidifying the relationship between our two countries.”
The founding Members of the Chamber include Edward Beharry and Company Limited, Precision Truck Lines Inc., Royal Bank of Canada, Scotia Bank Guyana Inc., and Sterling Products Limited, Banks DIH Ltd., Caribbean Surgery Inc., CGX Energy Inc., Demerara Distillers Limited, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry Limited, Guyana Goldfields Inc., Guysons Oil and Gas, Empire Plus Home and Commercial Inspection Services Inc., Gafsons Industries Limited, Go Logistics Inc., GoldSource Mines Inc., , High Commission of Canada to Guyana, International Development and Relief Foundation, JHI Associates, Inc., N&S Mattai & Company, NALICO/NAFICO, NSBOmega Guyana Inc. and Panthera Solutions Inc.
