Gov’t fashioning conducive business climate
─ President Ali tells AMCHAM AGM
His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali says his Government has laid out a long-term plan that will boost business development in Guyana.
President Ali said his administration is robust on business development as it is the “lifeline of the economy.”
The President made this statement in his message to the Third Annual General Meeting of the American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM) Guyana, earlier today.
“My Government unapologetically and unambiguously supports business development. My administration will not be neglectful nor indifferent to businesses. We will ensure a robust business environment to sustainably generate wealth and create jobs,” President Ali told the virtual meeting.
The administration’s plans for business development will see the strengthening of democracy, ensuring greater ease in doing business, improving national competitiveness, facilitating market access, supporting small business development, protecting consumers, expanding and modernising business infrastructure and ensuring that businesses operate in a safe environment.
“We are fashioning a conducive business climate. In order for economic wealth to be distributed more equitably, that wealth has to be first created. If the economic pie does not grow, the less there will be for distribution. The larger the economic pie, the more there will be to share,” Dr Ali said.
In expanding business opportunities, President Ali said his Government will be implementing a transformative infrastructural agenda, which will see a complete overhaul of the country’s transportation network. This will include a new bypass road between Diamond and Ogle with connections to Mocha, Eccles and Providence, on the East Bank Demerara. A high-span bridge will also be constructed across the Demerara River, which will be connected to a new four-lane highway leading to Parika, East Bank Essequibo.
Dr Ali said the Private Sector will be expected to use the new opportunities to build capacity and to capitalise on the other massive long-term transformative projects in the pipeline, including the Amaila Falls Hydro Power Project, the Deepwater Harbour, the all-weather road linking Linden and Lethem, the Parika, Rockstone to Del Conte road with connections to Bartica and a bridge across the Corentyne River.
“These are only a few examples of the transformative agenda that we will be pursuing,” the President said.
The Head of State also said his Government is determined to ensure local businesses benefit from opportunities coming out of the oil and gas sector. To that end, an advisory committee was established.
AMCHAM Guyana was established in 2018, to further the business interests of US enterprises and interests in Guyana. AMCHAM Vice President, Mr. Davindra Kissoon said the organisation’s objective is multifaceted. This includes the creation of new opportunities and market access for American and Guyanese goods and services, promoting mutually beneficial partnerships between Guyanese and American companies and helping to promote corporate social responsibility and sustainable development in Guyana.