THE Private Sector Commission (PSC) last Thursday convened a meeting of all key players involved in business development in Region 10, with the view to exchange information and ideas on various initiatives being undertaken and on some of the challenges being experienced.
Attending the meeting were Prime Minister Sam Hinds, representatives from the PSC, Guyana Manufacturers Association (GMA), the Linden Chamber of Commerce (LCC), Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest), Linden Economic Advancement Programme (LEAP), EMPRETEC, New Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC), Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC), Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission, Privatization Unit and the Ministries of Agriculture and Tourism, Industry and Commerce.
A statement from the PSC on the outcome of the meeting indicated that with the contraction of operations at the Linden Mining Enterprise (LINMINE) over the recent years and the scaling down of mining activities by OMAI, employment opportunities have been significantly reduced for the residents of Region 10. It noted that LEAP, supported by the European Commission, is being implemented to create new opportunities for economic activity and employment in the region in addition to a number of other initiatives being undertaken.
According to PSC, the meeting discussed the training and skills development programmes being implemented by LEAP and EMPRETEC, the need for more innovative forms of financing to support small businesses, the incentives available for business development in Region 10, the availability of information for investors, land for agriculture and industrial development and the need for production of consumer goods within the area to meet the day-to-day needs of residents. Possibilities for downstream manufacturing of wood products, including craft and furniture, jewellery and garments were also reviewed.
Participants agreed that such meetings should be on-going as the sharing of ideas, information and collaboration among the agencies involved are critical to the success of the programmes being implemented.