Twenty-five new jobs have been created with the official opening of the new Bounty Meat Centre and Supermarket, strategically located at Regent Street and Orange Walk.

The business venture, in which $45 million has been invested, seeks to foster an enhanced shopping experience for consumers, and is the third branch since the alliance between J.P. Santos Ltd (JPS) and the John Fernandes Group of Companies (JFGC), of which Bounty Farm is a subsidiary.

"We see it as a goal for recapturing the position previously held by J.P. Santos in yesteryear," JPS Director, Winston Tyrell remarked yesterday at the opening ceremony.

Tyrell reminded those present that JPS had employed some 600 persons while at its peak, and admonished the employees to take up the challenge of continuing the company's

ing tradition of providing a courteous and friendly service to every customer at all times.

Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Manzoor Nadir, who delivered the feature address, hailed the amalgamation of resources by "two traditional business names in Guyana" as an example to be emulated.

Nadir recalled that prior to the decline of JPS in the early 1990's, it had been one of Guyana's highly reputable companies with branches from Charity to New Amsterdam. He asserted that the demise of JPS had been "...closely linked with the issue of a socialist society being created in the country. In statism or socialism, there is little want for the private sector."

The minister assured that the government would remain committed to making the private sector the engine of growth in Guyana.

Nadir posited that despite evidence of stagnation in the current business climate, there has been an increase in local manufacturing with 30% more in 1999 than in 1998 and it advanced a further 6% in 2001.

"The investment in intermediate goods is one indicator of improvement," Nadir declared.

He noted that a stable political environment is essential for economic growth and listed "crime, community outreach, competition and a consumer charter" as being the four main features upon which the success of a business is dependent.

The minister said that while the government will handle the curbing and eradication of crime at the national level, the security of the actual business and its staff members was the responsibility of management.

Relative to community outreach, the development of good relationships with neighbours and other businesses is vital, the minister pointed out. In the area of competition, Nadir opined that it was what businesses thrived upon in any free market economy.

And regarding the consumer charter, the minister emphasised the importance of `quality, price and service'. He said that efforts are being made to bring consumer legislation to parliament sometime this year. Further, his ministry has embarked on a series of programmes on consumer advocacy which is to be intensified shortly through television and newspaper advertisements.

Meanwhile, JFGC Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Chris Fernandes underscored the willingness of all involved to work with other companies and business organisations. He said that everything possible would be done to ensure efficiency and productivity.

Fernandes, in reference to the rainy weather, said that his late father would have said the rain represented "showers of blessings" rather than seeing it as a hindrance.

The facility, which boasts secure parking, will be opened from today. (Edlyn Benfield)