2007-a memorable year-President says
-urges Guyanese to help make Guyana attractive to tourists
Georgetown, GINA, January 3, 2008
In his New Year’s Message to the nation to usher in the year, 2008, Head of State Bharrat Jagdeo contended that 2007 was a memorable year for Guyanese with a number of internal as well as external and international achievements.
“We can all be proud of the seamless manner in which Guyana moved from hosting one international event to another. The highlight of the past year was of course Guyana’s hosting of World Cup Cricket, a mega- sporting event whose success truly involved a national effort,’ the President pointed out, adding that CWC was in addition to Guyana hosting a number of important international conferences such as the Rio Summit, the Commonwealth Finance Ministers Meeting and the 12th special conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community.
“The success of these events attests to our emerging capacity to host international events, as well as to our country’s growing stature in the global community of nations.”
Emphasising that 2007 was also a ‘watershed year’ in terms of Guyana’s diplomatic history, President Jagdeo alluded to Guyana’s success in relation to its case for the demarcation of its maritime boundary with Suriname. The Head of State said the case was successfully argued before the Arbitral Tribunal of the Law of the Sea Convention and recalled that the ruling was in favour of Guyana. He noted that this was a victory for good neighbourliness, settling an age-old dispute, and paving the way for improved relations with Guyana’s eastern neighbour.
“The award now allows Guyana to explore, unimpeded, its vast and diverse maritime resources in the formerly disputed area, resources which can make a great difference in the quality of life for all Guyanese,” the President said.
Equally important achievements were also made on Guyana’s diplomatic front and these matched the internal successes of the country, the President reiterated as he outlined Government’s strides to improve the delivery of social services in all 10 administrative regions of the country.
“Much attention was also paid to improving the physical infrastructure including our productive infrastructure. These initiatives are all part of my government’s commitment to support our productive industries, improve the delivery of services and better the living standards of all Guyanese,” President Jagdeo stressed.
The Head of State noted that there was also improvement in Guyana’s economy which saw the country’s Gross Domestic Product growing by some five percent and that this was not confined to traditional sectors, such as rice and sugar.
“Growth in the transport, tourism and telecommunications sector was significant and a vindication of my government’s emphasis on boosting the non-traditional sectors of the economy. The growth of these sectors augurs well for the future as Guyana aims for a more balanced economy, one in which the new and emerging sectors grow in tandem with the traditional sectors of the economy presently undergoing restructuring,” the President underscored.
On this note, he said he was particularly pleased with the large investments secured in the telecommunication sector which translated to considerable benefits for consumers as the two main telephone companies demonstrated the benefits of competition.
President Jagdeo stated that besides the hosting of CWC, other events were held that allowed for the expansion of facilities and the showcasing Guyana’s tourism product. In this light, the hospitality sector made considerable strides during 2007.
“It is expected that by the time the present holiday season is over, in excess of thirty thousand persons would have passed through our national airport. While our tourist industry is still in an embryonic stage, the tremendous gains made this past year are heartening and a sign that tourism will in the near future make an invaluable contribution to national income,” the Head of State posited.
Stressing the importance of tourism and the need for Guyana to be attractive to overseas guests, the President emphasized that Guyanese can all help to make this possible as he urged that they keep their surroundings clean and demonstrate the unique hospitality for which Guyanese are famous.
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Renewed emphasis on research and development under NARI’s 2008-2012 strategy
Georgetown, GINA, January 03, 2008.
The generation, development and application of new knowledge and technology for agriculture, sustainable use of natural resources and enhanced nutrition, food security and safety are among several main activities to be pursued this year by the National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI).
These are in keeping with the Institute’s Research and Development Strategy 2008-2012, which also targets enhancing the ability of the agricultural sector to manage and mitigate agricultural risks and commercializing research results and support services.
Several activities will be implemented to ensure that the objectives outlined in the Strategy are met. These include continued refinement of the production parameters of a variety of crops for the export market. Value added products for these commodities which include butternut squash, peppers and plantains will be promoted.
The construction of a modern laboratory to provide efficient services and to train students, researchers and farmers in crop production are targeted while establishment and monitoring of 15 acres of rambutan in various communities will be pursued. This is part of efforts by NARI to widen the food base.
Additionally, efforts will be made with support from the Brazilian Research Institute, Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuaria (EMBRAPA) to commercialize soybean and cashew farming in the savannahs and to expand the cultivation of jatropha in collaboration with the private sector.
Other plans include the establishment of 20 seedling houses in various communities which will be managed by residents, promotion of shaded cultivation for improved production, productivity and quality of produce.
Model farms will be developed in collaboration with the private sector while establishment of eco-farms as an agro-tourism venture will be pursued.
In the livestock sector, the Strategy proposes continued work on improving the duck breeding programme from breeds imported in 2007, sheep breeding to include crossbreds with Dorper and introduction of the Texel breed. This will be done through the use of semen and embryo transplant.
Focus will be placed on expanding the sheep herd from 150 breeding ewes at the start of 2007 to 230 animals by the end of December 31, 2008.
Over the years, NARI has undertaken various initiatives that support farmers’ activities to ensure advanced agricultural development. These include soil characterization in various communities to better advise farmers on the suitable crop type for cultivation on their lands.
During the past year, a lot of emphasis was placed on promoting several advanced technology including Drip Irrigation, Tropical Green House and Hydrophonic. These are aimed at enhancing food production, promoting year-round production and helping farmers to deal with the effects of climate change.
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Berbice River Bridge – sign of Guyana stepping ahead
- Minister Benn
Georgetown, GINA, January 03, 2008.
Construction of the bridge across the Berbice river that will link Region Six to the rest of the country is an indication of Guyana overcoming a phase where resources had to be spent on merely rehabilitation and repairs of infrastructure.
This was highlighted by Minister of Transport and Hydraulics Robeson Benn, who noted that the connectivity between the regions will create multiple benefits for economic growth and social development.
“Importantly in Guyana at this time with respect to the Berbice bridge is that we are building something completely new because over the past 14 years and even now, much effort in terms of infrastructural works relate to rehabilitating, reconstructing and maintaining the economy,” the Minister explained.
He added that, “the Berbice bridge is a new infrastructure that signals we are moving into a phase of building new things so that we can move forward and further develop Guyana.”
The 1.5 kilometre structure across the Berbice river is being built downstream of the existing ferry route, from D’ Edward on the western side to Crab Island on the east. It will float on 39 pontoons and will be anchored on the riverbed by a sophisticated off-shore tested anchorage system.
This project is fulfillment of a promise made to the people of Region Six by the present administration and is expected to generate significant economic opportunities for many Guyanese.
“In realizing this project we will be putting in place one of the significant planks of our development programme and this will help to ensure we have sustainable economic activity in the country,” Minister Benn said.
With the advent of the bridge, assets being used to provide ferry services to the Berbice crossing will be shifted to Essequibo and the North West District. This will result in the availability of more vessels, personnel and other necessary resources that will significantly boost services at the other locations where there will be more economic developments.
The bridge is also expected to increase traffic to and from Region Six since people will be provided with improved and easier transportation access. This may further increase traffic to and from neighbouring Suriname allowing for more business prospects.
Additionally, farmers from Region Six will be able to sell their produce outside of the county when seeking more markets and better prices while Guyanese from other parts of the country will be able to share their goods and services with Berbicians.
The bridge is being built under a government/private sector partnership with financial commitment totalling approximately US$38M from several investors including top commercial banks, major insurance companies and several corporate agencies.
Construction began in August 2006 and it is expected that the bridge will be ready for operation later this year. More than 14 spans have already been installed.
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Government welcomes new investors
-China Trading officially opens for business
Georgetown, GINA, January 3, 2008
Today Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Manniram Prashad, took the opportunity to encourage prospective investors to consider Guyana as their port for investment as he officially declared China Trading open for business.
Present at the opening of the Robb street business were Chinese Ambassador Zhang Jungao, Georgetown’s Mayor Hamilton Green, Minister of Labour Manzoor Nadir and other business owners who showed their support to the young Chinese national Jason Wang who has now opened his second business in Guyana.
According to Minister Prashad Guyana has a free and open economy for foreign investors and this is evident with the increase of new businesses in the country, especially because of the high entrepreneurship spirit in Guyana.
Minister Prashad said China Trading is a good example of successful investment because of the proprietor’s dedication and determination to learn even in a foreign country.
He said Government welcomes overseas investors and encourages other business prospects to join the Chamber of Commerce.
Business proprietors made substantial profits in 2007 and business in Guyana is becoming very competitive because of increased investments.
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TIN implementation progressing smoothly
- GRA Commissioner
Georgetown, GINA, January 3, 2008
The implementation of the Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), which came into effect this month, is progressing well. This was announced by Commissioner General of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) Khurshid Sattaur at a media briefing earlier today.
“There has been a favourable response thus far and the Guyana Revenue Authority is putting the necessary systems in place to ensure that persons who, owing to their own negligence, did not apply for a TIN prior to December 31, 2007, to do so with ease,” the Commissioner General said.
“While thus far from the GRA’s standpoint, there has been a successful implementation; our systems have been in place and delivering; the first major test will be on January 14 when employers would remit December 2007 PAYE deductions on their employees’ behalf,” he noted.
Employers would only be able to remit the taxes of those employees who would have obtained a TIN. Persons found culpable of not having a TIN would be required to do so which may result in late submission and payment, which constitutes an offence under the Income Tax Act and the employer could be penalised.
TIN was first introduced last year for Value Added Tax Registrants and importers processing commercial transactions at the Customs and Trade Administration.
“With effect from January 1 this year, the TIN implementation was taken not only to the two remaining areas of the GRA, the Licence Revenue Office and the Internal Revenue Department, but also to Government Agencies, Public Authorities, Public Corporations and the Central Bank as provided for under the Income Tax Amendment Act since these agencies may require a TIN of a person applying for a document or applying for a licence or Authority,” Mr. Sattaur stated.
The GRA has been sensitizing the Guyanese public extensively on the TIN during the past several months. Hundreds of Guyanese have been registered largely due to the infrastructural arrangements by the Internal Revenue and employers. However, there still remain hundreds more who are still to obtain their TIN.
“This is evident by large numbers of persons who are being turned away when they show up to have a transaction processed with the GRA because they did not heed our call to obtain their TIN before December 31 last,” Sattaur said.
“In order to avoid an agonizing situation, the GRA has decided to give priority to TIN processing by persons conducting transactions with the Licence Office and the Internal Revenue since failure to provide a TIN will result in the transaction not being processed,” the Commissioner General noted.
However, Mr. Sattaur noted that this preference for persons having transactions with the Licence Office and the Internal Revenue will only be for a limited time as the agency tries to accommodate the late applicants.
Persons who have applied for their TIN and are not in receipt of their certificates are asked to contact the Registry Section, GPO building, Robb Street to uplift their number while they await the arrival of their certificates by post. Such persons would be issued with a number which on production with some form of identification will be acceptable for processing transactions with the GRA.
The TIN certificates are sent by registered mail and persons would be required to have a valid form of identification to uplift the certificate at the time of delivery.
TIN is a unique computer-generated nine-digit number which identifies persons for the purpose of transacting business with the GRA and those other agencies specified under the law and has replaced all existing Income Tax, Form 2 and Export Numbers and other numbers previously issued by the GRA.
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$9.4 B supplementary appropriation bill passed in National Assembly
Georgetown, GINA, January, 3, 2008
The National Assembly today at it first sitting for 2008 approved Bill No. 31 of 2007 (the Supplementary Appropriation Bill No. 2 for 2007). The Bill introduced by the Minister of Finance, Dr Ashni Singh sought approval for supplementary provisions to the budget to the tune of $3.16 B for current expenditure and $6.24 B for capital expenditure for 2007.
The majority of the spending under the current estimates represented; air transport for the 101 scholarship students to Cuba, to meet additional cost associated with the recent increases in wages and salaries, additional expenditure by departments resulting from increases in prices and maintenance to buildings and equipment.
Monies were also voted for repairs fot the Guyana Defence Force’s Bell 412 helicopter, and for the Guyana Police Force, Prison and Fire Services for expanding their operations.
Considerations for the additional sums for capital expenditure represented provisions for the purchase of further generating capacity for the Guyana Power and Light.
The National Assembly was informed that more generators and transformers were purchased to avert the situation which led to shortfalls in power supply by the power company.
The purchase of additional spares and the rehabilitation of ferry vessels for the Transport and Harbours Department and counterpart funding for several projects were also catered for.
Provision was made for; the commencement of works for the installation of lights for the National Stadium, an advance for the construction of a swimming complex, mobilization and consultancy cost for the construction of a new building to house the Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security, the removal of asbestos and upgrading of facilities at the University of Guyana and improvement of the sewerage distribution and water supply system in Georgetown.
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