At Guyana Trade and Investment Exposition in Trinidad
Jagdeo, Manning anticipate creation of new trade links
From Wendella Davidson in Port-of-Spain
Guyana Chronicle
June 6, 2004
THIS year's annual trade fair, GuyExpo, billed for September, may see a strong private sector delegation from Trinidad and Tobago following an invitation from President Bharrat Jagdeo.
The Guyanese Head-of-State threw out the invitation Friday evening while addressing a poolside reception at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in the Trinidad capital, Port-of-Spain.
ROYAL TREATMENT: The new Royal Castle fast-food outlet on Sheriff Street, Campbellville, was initially intended to supplement sales at the main branch then housed at the Auto Supplies building on Hadfield and Lombard Streets, in the heart of the city.
But that was before the fire of last November which swept the area, leaving in its wake losses estimated in excess of $1 billion and close to 200 jobless. The fire, which at one point threatened the seat of government, namely the Public Buildings across the road, started when a speeding container truck slammed into a utility pole in the area, thus causing a massive a power surge. Among other businesses to have gone under as a result of the fire were Auto Supplies Company Limited and Mohammed's Enterprise.
The event marked the official opening of a three-day Guyana Trade and Investment Exposition, which is being hosted at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. Booths are located in the Festival Room, the Main Ballroom and the Teak Room on the upper floor.
Close to 53 exporters of some of the finest locally-produced items are in attendance, showcasing what they have to offer by way of both traditional and non-traditional goods, in the hope of creating an awareness in the Trinidad business sector of what is available in Guyana and creating new trade links between the two countries.
According to the President, the presence of the Guyanese exporters at the fair is to let their Trinidadian counterparts know of the many initiatives that exist in the region.
He also assured the gathering that the country boasts an aggressive young private sector, and that it is in areas such as trade that it most needs help from around the region.
President Jagdeo arrived in Trinidad on Thursday after attending the opening ceremony of a G-90 meet in Georgetown. Of the G-90 meeting, which ended Friday, the President said, "such discussions are absolutely necessary if member countries are to fashion a world trading system that not only takes care of the concerns of the industrialised countries but could also find within those arrangements a place for the developing countries."
Alluding to earlier remarks by Trinidad and Tobago's Prime Minister, Mr. Patrick Manning that Trinidad carefully examines current negotiations at forums such as the WTO, ACP (Africa, Caribbean and Pacific bloc), and the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA), the President said that as a region, CARICOM has to have an appropriate response.
This is to ensure that the region creates enough space for the development of smaller countries as well as safeguard the well being of its peoples, he said.
With reference to media reports which gave the impression that CARICOM (Caribbean Community) meetings are parochial and given to constant squabbles, President Jagdeo said that this was far from the truth, since CARICOM leaders share a common vision.
He made specific mention of Prime Minister Manning, whom he said has always had the interests of the region at heart. Manning also realises that it is only through a common vision that the region can progress, President Jagdeo said.
In an overview of the economic situation in his own country, the Guyanese Head-of-State said that while Guyana was rich in natural resources and boasts some of the most scenic sights of the world, yet still it was starved of capital.
He gave as the reason for this position the country's inability to generate wealth due to "politics and inappropriate economic policies" during a significant part of its post-independence history.
He also spoke briefly of its huge fiscal deficit that has put the country into an unsustainable borrowing, and the loss of human capital through migration.
He said, however, that Guyana has been trying to reverse this latter trend by injecting huge sums of money into the education system so as to rebuild the human capital base. The debt burden has also been significantly reduced, he pointed out.
Earlier into the function, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Go-Invest, Mr. Geoffrey DaSilva spoke of the support and hospitality Guyana has received from public sector agencies in Trinidad and Tobago, in order to make the event successful.
The Trinidad leg, DaSilva noted, was the fifth stop for the Guyana Trade and Investment Exposition. Similar events were held in Antigua, Barbados and, in another two weeks, one will be held in Canada.
DaSilva also spoke of the function of Go-Invest, which has responsibility for liaising and promoting business between all public and private agencies on behalf of investors.
According to him, there are investment opportunities in the agro-processing, wood, mining, information technology, eco-tourism and furniture sectors, and as such he is looking forward to the establishment of additional agencies from both the Trinidad and Tobago and Guyanese private sectors.
Chairman of the event was Guyana's Honorary Consul to Trinidad and Tobago, Mr. Ernie Ross, who, in welcome remarks, said he found it quite remarkable yet regrettable that many of the guests present had never visited Guyana, much less explored the country's picturesque hinterland which is home to many of the country's exotic resorts.
Seemingly at a loss for words, Ross said of Guyana: "Like love, you can't describe it sufficiently; it is best understood when you encounter the experience." He also stressed the point that it was fast becoming "the gateway to South America".
Following the formalities, President Jagdeo and Prime Minister Manning briefly toured the exhibition area, taking in the eye-catching rainforest setting created by Trinidadian designer, Brian Mac Farlane.
Using photographs taken while he was in Guyana on a fact-finding mission some three weeks ago, the artist was able to transform a section of the hotel’s ground floor to effect a rainforest setting, replete with waterfalls and the sounds of the forest.
MacFarlane told the Chronicle Friday that he was “seeking to capture the natural flora and fauna of Guyana for the benefit of his countrymen and women.” While in Guyana, he paid brief visits to some of its rivers and Amerindian settlements.
Guests were also treated to a rich display of Guyanese fashion from designers Sonia Noel, Andrea Braithwaite, Myra Patterson and Natalie Ward.
A rich blend of Pantar music, which is a fusion of the pan and the sitar, spiced up the evening.
At the commencement of the proceeding, Trinidadian Wendy Sheppard did an excellent job rendering the national anthems of both countries.
In an invited comment to the Sunday Chronicle shortly after viewing the exhibition in the company of President Jagdeo and DaSilva, Prime Minister Manning remarked: "The range of products I see here is greater than I ever anticipated. I believe I know the Caribbean quite well but there're lots of new things that I have learnt in terms of Guyana's capability and the exports that Guyana has available".
Earlier the Trinidad and Tobago PM, in a brief remark at a reception/official opening of the exposition at the hotel's poolside noted that there are lots of opportunities for trade between Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago.
He sees such an exposition as an essential and basic element of a proper integration system. He expressed the hope that at the conclusion of the exposition, members of the business community of both countries are able to enter into arrangements that can be of mutual benefits to both sides.