LETHEM and the rest of the Rupununi can become the centrepiece in the Guyana link between the rest of the hemisphere and markets in the north but the development of the region has to be part of the national drive.

This point was stressed by President Bharrat Jagdeo at the opening of Rupununi Day Saturday when the focus was on the region under the theme, 'Lethem - bridge to Guyana's future'.

Lethem is the centre of the south border region with Brazil and work has started on the bridge across the Takutu River, a crucial plank in the upgrading of the road between Guyana and Brazil.

Rupununi Day showcased a wide variety of agriculture and locally manufactured goods and featured cultural and other presentations.

President Jagdeo noted that the development of Lethem must not be seen in isolation but as part of the entire national development drive.

According to the Government Information Agency (GINA), he said the vision for Lethem's development must be placed within what is done at the national level.

"Rupununi and Lethem will never become what they have the potential to become, until and unless its development is firmly rooted in a national vision", he said.

Mr. Jagdeo noted that leaders of South America have agreed that Guyana and Suriname should be within the free trade area of the continent as this has tremendous benefits for both countries.

BRIDGE INSPECTION: President Bharrat Jagdeo checks on work on the Takutu River bridge over the weekend.


He pointed out that Guyana, positioned as it is within the Caribbean, and being home to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) headquarters, has a "great opportunity" for attracting investment.

He said that with Guyana's strengthened relations in the south, and strong ties to CARICOM and further, the road from Lethem to Georgetown will play a vital role in national development.

Emphasising that it is not just Lethem but the country that has to be marketed, the President explained that with Guyana serving as the trade link between the markets in the south and manufacturers in the north and in Europe, there "can be billions flowing through this country."

He noted that there are a number of other issues such as developing Lethem into a township, improving health care and decentralising certain services that have to be addressed, GINA said.

The Government is engaged in discussions on upgrading the road to Brazil and studies for the establishment of a deepwater habour on the Guyana coast are being done, the President said.

Reflecting on a recent meeting with President Fernando Henrique Cardoso of Brazil, Mr. Jagdeo said he sensed that, like Guyana, Brazil wants a stronger bilateral relationship.

He said this political commitment is buttressed by a number of recent developments, including the construction of the bridge across the Takutu River, the signing of the Partial Scope Agreement between Guyana and Brazil, resumption of flights between Boa Vista and Georgetown and Brazil's support for Guyana's manufacturing sector.

The vision for developing Lethem is being promoted by the Rupununi Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Head of the association, Mr. Mohamed Khan said his organisation is working with the National Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with its counterpart in Boa Vista, to promote trade between the two countries.

He noted that with the proposed establishment of an industrial estate at Lethem, there will be need for a reliable supply of electricity.

The area currently gets power from a hydro-electric plant at Moco Moco and the Government is negotiating with Brazil to purchase electricity from that country should the need arise.

Khan said telecommunication services are unreliable and called for "serious investment" in the area.

Also at the Rupununi Day celebrations was Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Mr. Manzoor Nadir, who said he was satisfied that the event brought people together.