Exploring possibilities: Jose E. Govea Cantero (second from left) representative of the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Trade makes a point at yesterday's meeting. In photo from left are David Yankana, Luis A. Gonzalez Zamora, Guyana Desk Officer, and Eddie Boy
Guyanese businessmen yesterday unanimously supported the suggestion that a local trade mission should visit Cuba, possibly to attend the Cuban Trade Expo in November.
The potential for Guyana-Cuba trade and investment in agriculture, aquaculture, construction, sugar technology, timber, tourism and medical supplies was also explored when business representatives from the two countries met yesterday.
A concrete outcome of the meeting held at the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) boardroom was the decision by the GCCI to actively promote inter-country trade.
Eddie Boyer President of the GCCI was also upbeat about a Guyana mission visiting Cuba and he mentioned the possibility of a delegation attending the Cuban trade exhibition in Santiago in November.
Executive Director of the Consultative Association of Guyanese Industry (CAGI) David Yankana thanked the Cubans for their assistance in medicine and agriculture. He mentioned a new hospital in Grenada that was staffed by Cuban doctors and said he was looking forward to the day when the same support could be extended to Guyana.
The CAGI head recalled 50 years ago when Guyana exported rice to Cuba and imported consumer items like salt and some petroleum products.
Yankana also queried the possibility of Guyana receiving technical support from Cuba, and learning from that country's challenges in the use of bagasse for electricity generation. He also supported the idea of a local trade mission visiting Cuba.
Mohabir Singh of the Guyana Furniture Manufacturing Ltd said he was certain of Guyana's capacity to supply wooden products to Cuba, once the shortage of foreign exchange, a major constraint, was removed. He referred to wooden building materials and furniture being supplied by Guyana and noted that the Cubans had expressed a preference for wood products that were 20%-45% complete.
Motie Singh of Ganesh Singh and Brothers Logging Company Ltd also expressed interest in supplying Cuba with logs for use in the building of log cabins for the tourism industry. Wilford Branford owner of Car Care Enterprise said he was seeking to gain some knowledge from Cuba's tourism industry.
Hemraj Kissoon, Managing Director of the Kissoon Group of Companies said his company was once involved in a low-cost-housing joint venture with a Cuban company. He said some of the equipment was still here in Guyana and the Kissoon Group was willing to restart such a venture.
Kissoon also expressed interest in joint ventures connected with rice, aquaculture, furniture and forestry. Kissoon suggested the Cuba and Guyana governments exercise their influence to encourage trade using the barter system. Ships should come into Guyana with goods and leave filled with goods. He suggested if Guyanese businessmen approach trade relations with Cuba on an individual basis, nothing would happen.
Kissoon and Mahendra Singh said after the meeting that they were in support of a joint private sector group going on a trade mission to Cuba to explore the opportunities. The trip should be focused on finding out what the Cuban people require and how best Guyanese businesses could supply those needs.