GT&T Deputy General Manager, Public Communications and Employee Relations, Mr. Terry Holder, in his remarks at the function, said all efforts will be made to create a more user-friendly, error-free edition.

"We have had some problems from time to time and we have already started the whole process of verification, trying to make sure that all who are currently listed will be listed correctly and also those who are coming on board, in terms of services, will be listed correctly also," he said.

Holder said the exercise is conducted every year because of the rate of expansion, which he estimates to be about 7,000 new subscribers.

The cover design of the 2003-2004 directory would be dedicated to the University of Guyana in recognition of its 40th anniversary celebrations. Persons would be invited to submit cover designs.

The publication is also to feature refreshing new views of Guyana. Last year, when the directory for 2002-2003 was presented, a Consumer Affairs representative had raised some concerns about the lack of enough information in the publication on AIDS and other social issues.

Holder said that the telephone company has been inviting NGO's and other organisations to submit information that would be favoured by the general public. He urged that advantage be taken of the invitation so that information, which is considered to be useful to the general public would be published.

He also highlighted the fact that the directory would need to generate revenue for itself and hoped to see a significant expansion for the year 2003-2004. He said there is hope that the yellow pages would form half of the directory. The yellow pages carry most of the advertising in the directory.

Managing Director of Guyenterprise, Mr. Vic Insanally, in his remarks, said the printing of the directory would be done by a company that has links to Brazil, which is closer to Guyana than the United States.

He said printing in Brazil would reduce the cost to produce the directory.

"We spent a lot of money on internal shipping in the United States and then shipping from Miami to here," Insanally pointed out.

Last year, Guyenterprise produced 96,000 copies of an edition that contains about 700 pages.

Insanally said the project would have an incubation period of about five months before a "fully grown, mature telephone directory" is produced.

In order to ensure the widest possible coverage, the advertising agency has enhanced its sales staff to ensure the needs of traditional as well as new subscribers are catered for. He said specific efforts would be made to reach businesses in Mahdia, Berbice and Lethem. He explained that the telephone company has plans to improve its service in those areas.

The rate for advertising in the directory will remain the same because the current economic climate does not permit an increase. He said subscribers would also be entitled to an "early bird special" and a pay later plan would also be made available.

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, who made brief remarks during the launching said it was one of the positive events for the new year. He commended both the GT&T and Guyenterprise and all the other parties involved in producing the directory.