'Guyana is a land of opportunities'
- Says Peter Ramsaroop, Chairman, CEO of CariAir
Guyana Chronicle
July 23, 2004
CHAIRMAN and Chief Executive Officer of CariAir, Peter Ramsaroop, has said that Guyana is a land of opportunities and that was the reason for his returning home and investing in this country.
"Guyanese are very patriotic, regardless where they live. Things like crime are part of any society and we have to do what it takes to improve that society, whether through economic recovery, socially or politically," said Ramsaroop in an interview with the Government Information Agency (GINA).
And so, CariAir was born and the first phase of the project is the building of an agriculture package facility in the Pomeroon. Ramsaroop acknowledged that Guyana has a lot of raw materials and, with the right packaging facility, the finished product will be ready for the world market.
"Our aim is to get to that stage in order to set that final product on the market," said the CEO.
Building such an infrastructure is moving in the right direction added Chief Operating Officer, Bill Oldham. He noted that such a facility will make sure the quality and consistent supply are there to serve customers in the North American market and elsewhere.
Pineapples and watermelons are fruits identified as potential exports, and, according to Ramsaroop, they have spent time with a farmer at Canal No. 1, who plants pineapples. He spoke of the potential of planting more pineapples for export with the support of CariAir.
"One of our philosophies is everyone in the process needs to benefit from it. We are looking at that farmer, working everyday and producing those goods, and if we can help, so be it," emphasised Ramsaroop.
He noted that partnerships with the farmers, shippers and brokers are among the main goals of CariAir.
In 2005, plans are underway to have two cargo planes to effectively export goods, the CEO further stated. He envisages job opportunities springing up from the range of agricultural production.
"Our goal is to be the largest employer in Guyana over the next five years," stressed Ramsaroop.
Ultimately, in another two years or three years, CariAir will link CARICOM and its markets to North America and Europe. There is to be, also, a regional passenger carrier. (GOVERNMENT INFORMATION AGENCY)