At a symposium last Friday hosted by the governing People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) at its Freedom House headquarters to review the work of the present government since its victory at the March 19, 2001 elections, he said that while Guyana is "no bed of roses" there have been impressive developments in all sectors throughout the country, despite the deliberate disruptive policies and threats to make Guyana "ungovernable" by the main opposition party.

"But some will never acknowledge this," he added.

He said even though much has been done there is need for accelerated development and it is imperative for everyone to play a role in this process, in spite of detractors who only notice the negatives. Every society has its problems and although there are many concerns in Guyana which must be addressed, it is essential that "we remain resilient", Ramsammy urged.

"Guyana is not trouble free, but I challenge anyone to name a trouble free country. The richest countries on earth have many troubles, and some of their troubles make ours plaything. We certainly have our share of problems, but some would want us to believe that there is only one path and one way - that is to be oblivious and to say there is only despair in this land.

"We have much to celebrate while we have much to be concerned about," he declared.

He posited that the Government derives its strength from its committed policy of seeing every citizen as a Guyanese who can contribute to the developmental process, and every community as being equally important.

Emphasising the Administration's commitment to the development of people, he noted that the 1991 allocation for the social sector in the national budget under the previous Administration was 8.9%, while allocation in this year's budget for the social sector is 35% with the allocation for the health sector alone being 9.3%.

He also pointed out that while bigger economies like that of Barbados have been experiencing negative growth, despite political violence orchestrated by the main opposition party, Guyana has been able to maintain positive growth rates. The growth rate for last year was 1.1%, he noted.

Ramsammy declared that the PPP/C has always been committed to expanding inclusive governance, contending that the reform of the 1980 Constitution, which had been foisted upon the people, amply demonstrates its commitment to expanding inclusivity.

Criticising Leader of the PNC/R, Mr. Robert Corbin for his reported statement that he will only assume the mantle of Leader of the Opposition when there is work to do, the Health Minister said that under the reformed constitution there is a lot of work for the Leader of the Opposition, including the appointments pertaining to several constitutional commissions and committees.

Dealing with the decision to move ahead to establish those commissions which could be appointed without the involvement of the Leader of the Opposition, Ramsammy charged that "enough is enough" and the Government has to go ahead and do what it was elected to do - govern.

Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Mr. Manzoor Nadir noted that although national income has doubled in the last 10 years, Guyana still remains a poor country.

He said there has been a movement in the right direction, pointing out that the national budget in 1992 was $12 billion or about US$100M, while for this year's budget of $73 billion, $46 billion or about US230M will be financed by local taxes. This is money that will come out of the productive sectors, he stressed.

"You judge for yourselves if we have improved over the last ten years," he rhetorically declared.

Nadir said that according to the United Nations Council for Trade, Administration and Development (UNTAD) Guyana has moved from the 72nd position to the 19th position on its investment friendly index. However, he observed that investors need a stable political climate in which there is predictability for returns on their investment.

He reported that over the past two weeks there have been four significant investments ranging from between US$700,000-US$1.5M, at the Eccles Industrial Site, creating about 1,100 jobs. Since the issuance of 99-year leases 45 lots are now in active construction and production and this will increase to 60 lots by September this year, he said.

He said among the successful areas under this administration is good governance and the practice of democracy, recalling that this was his position even when he was on the Opposition benches.

Minister of Public Service, Dr. Jennifer Westford reported that the reform of the public sector is essential in facilitating the private sector, and its efficiency is a determinant factor in the efficiency of the private sector, concurring with her colleague of the need for greater value for money spent.

Over the past two years increasing emphasis has been placed on human resource development, she said, pointing out that more than 180 students have received scholarships to pursue professional studies in various countries including Cuba, India, New Zealand and Canada, she told the gathering.

Westford noted that the improved situation in the Public Service cannot be attributed only to the Government but the good industrial relations climate with the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU), acknowledging that there have been more mature dialogue between the two sides. She said the unilateral implementation of salary increases last year was meant to be a relief package after agreement could not have been reached between the Government and the GPSU.

The minister also alluded to several initiatives within the public sector to bring social alleviation. Among these she mentioned counselling for victims of domestic violence, legal aid expanded to rural areas, provision of school uniforms to needy students and a persistent campaign to remove street children and reunite them with their parents.

She observed that these initiatives have all shown positive results.

"All of us in this administration should give ourselves a pat on the back for the resilience, strength and effort that we have shown throughout this determined period of interruption. Determined in the sense that we are existing in a period where the opposition forces are bent on destroying and interrupting all that seems to be going well. But let there be no doubt we will continue that resilience.