IT IS GUYANA’S MOMENT TO SHINE!!!
EDWARD HARRIS AT LARGE!!!
IT IS GUYANA’S MOMENT TO SHINE!!!
Now, it is Guyana’s moment to shine! President Bharrat Jagdeo launched the 5 day Guy-Expo 2005 with the theme “Pride in our Industry†on Thursday, 22/09/05 and in his address to invitees to the official opening, set out the way forward for the economy and elections in 2006. He was very clear that investors are being encouraged to do business in Guyana and in his message stated – “My Government will remain unambiguously pro-business, pro-employment and pro-growth. We continue to put in place the ingredients needed to support the creation of wealth. This is a key part of our vision to provide our country with a platform that allows all our citizens to live fulfilling lives. Our macro-economic climate is stable, we have one of the most open economies in the world, and the investment regime offered to support new investment can compete with any in the regionâ€. Everything is being done to expedite responses to their requests. It followed in the said week that President Jagdeo was named Chairman of the Boards of Governors of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund, a first for a Head of State within Caricom.
A strong delegation of businesspersons from St. Lucia was present in Guyana for Guy Expo 2005 and an opportunity was presented to them to interact with their Guyanese counterparts when a Business Forum was held on Saturday, 24/09/05 at the Cheddi Jagan Research Institute which is housed in the historic Red House on High Street, Kingston, Georgetown. This Business Forum was organized by the Guyana Office for Investments and the New Guyana Marketing Corporation to explore possibilities of establishing a Permanent Show Room and a Marketing Agency in St. Lucia to boost exports of Guyanese agricultural and non-agricultural products to St. Lucia. Guyanese and St. Lucian businesspersons are supportive of this initiative and a number of opportunities on both sides have opened up as a result of their interaction.
While in Guyana, St. Lucian Entrepreneurs took time off to visit places of interest and experience Guyanese hospitality at first hand. It is always a state of shock and awe when persons who have been exposed to the negative press that Guyanese and Guyana receive from time to time. It was just an awakening to those of the delegation who visited Guyana for the first time. This is what the Executive of the Guyana – St. Lucia Association seeks to achieve as they expose St. Lucians to Guyana.
The exhibition was scheduled for 22-27/9/05 but was extended for another day to facilitate the crowds.
Looking towards the future, with increased awareness of Guyana products and things Guyanese, the stage will be set for increased activity at all levels in the period ahead. The next trip organized by the Guyana – St. Lucia Association should include a visit to Madia in the interior of Guyana where many St. Lucians have called home for many years and many have no desire to go anywhere else. A visit to this community should also include a trip to the Kaieteur Falls. It is amazing how by knowing more about each other through exchange visits to each others country can impact upon the respect for each other.
There is never a dull moment in our world. The problem is that in most cases these moments are characterized by uncertainty and anxiety. When we last met through this column, we lamented the trials of our brothers and sisters in the State of Louisiana. On this occasion, our thoughts are again with the residents of the State of Louisiana as a follow up to Katrina, Rita not only engaged parts of the State of Texas but found it necessary to visit the State of Louisiana and caused further pains to the residents. Once again our prayers are with those who have lost loved ones and property wherever Katrina and Rita passed.
The USA after the passage of the two recent hurricanes should now more clearly understand the sufferings that such disruptions caused. Every year, we in the Caribbean hold our breath as the hurricane season passes. The alphabet is running out of letters with two months to go before the season ends. I presume that should it be necessary to start over to name the next set of hurricanes in alphabetical order will be double AA and most likely it is going to be AARON.
While those States ravished by Hurricanes in recent seasons grapple with rebuilding, it is necessary for the work of Disaster Preparedness Committees and Agencies to be given all the necessary financial and other support to ensure, that should disaster strike it will find those who will be affected in a state of readiness. The recent disasters should teach us one simple lesson to heed the warnings of the disaster agencies and do whatever is necessary to save lives.
Keep the faith!!!
Email: eaharrisdestiny@gmail.com