Numerous initiatives underway to boost agricultural sector
-NARI leading way for improved technology
Georgetown, GINA, January 29, 2008.
Government remains committed to advancing agriculture and through the National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI), several initiatives are being pursued to boost production and revitalise farming activities using various innovative technologies.
Over the years, NARI has implemented various research and development activities in keeping with its mandate to introduce new and improved practices for farmers to boost production and productivity, thus maximising their income and increasing national earnings.
The institute has intensified its work programme as more resources have become available by Government to support further agricultural development.
As part of efforts to promote the production of dehydrated products such as pumpkin chips, thyme and celery powder and dehydrated jackfruit and banana, emphasis continues to be placed on propagating solar-drying technology.
To combat erosions and support re-vegetation in the abandoned mining areas, several measures have been implemented in areas such as Linden where cultivation of lime, cashew, fat pork and pasture grasses were initiated
Additionally, attention is being given to the production of fruit and vegetable-based sauces through which several products that could be used as sauces and fruit-based jams have been tested. These include banana ketchup, gooseberry sauce, carambola all-purpose sauce and banana and cashew jam.
This initiative forms part of efforts to promote processing and preservation activities to further boost agricultural production by adding value to fresh fruits and vegetables and extending the shelf life of products.
NARI’s programme to maintain and conserve important crops such as coconuts, mango, cashew, cassava and sweet potatoes resulted in the establishment of field gene-banks at Ebini and St. Ignatius while an additional 10 acres of land have been cleared at Kairuni for avocados.
Another important activity, in which NARI is involved, is the promotion of sugar-cane cultivation in the savannahs through which a nursery has been established at Ebini, Berbice River. Thirteen varieties of cane have since been developed, seven of which will be evaluated for their nutritional requirements and six for their cultural observations. This initiative is being supported by the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo)
Evaluation of Jatropha for bio-diesel production is also being pursued and seeds have been made available to expand cultivation in the Intermediate Savannahs and Linden while 1500 rambutan plants have been grafted. Plans are underway to have these planted shortly.
To increase the availability of planting materials for the farming communities at Timehri, rapid multiplication techniques for pineapple have been initiated while two new cowpea lines have been identified for commercialisation. These were identified from 20 lines that were sourced from Nigeria.
Also, nine demonstration farms have been successfully established in various areas and are being used to introduce ‘Drip Irrigation.’ Farmers have been trained in the use of this technology to promote year-round production of fruits and vegetables.
Demonstrations plots are located at Naamryck, Mon Repos, St. Cuthbert's, Bath Settlement, Fort Wellington, St. Ignatius, Annai, Canvas City and West Watooka. Farmers at all locations have reported higher yields under Drip Irrigation compared to traditional methods.
Other main activities by NARI include establishment of seedling houses for year-round quality vegetable seedling production at Mon Repos and Fort Wellington and introduction of shaded cultivation combined with organoponics.
This is intended to promote continued production of vegetables for the local and export markets and demonstrates that a wide variety of crops could be cultivated at one location.
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Security forces hunting criminals -Minister Rohee
- urges protestors not to distract ranks
Georgetown, GINA, January 29, 2008
Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee has made it clear that the recent Lusignan killings by criminal gangs will not make the security forces retreat from the success gained in the fight against crime.
“I wish to assure you that the law enforcement agencies will not retreat from the gains they have made over the years as a result of their relentless fight to rid the society of all those who seek to terrorise the population and to disrupt the peaceful development of our country.” Minister Rohee said.
“Let me assure you that the law enforcement agencies will not sit idly by and allow these marauding, armed and hate-infested gangs to rule the roost or to set the agenda for the safety of our people.”
Members of the public are being urged not to distract the Joint Services from looking for the criminals.
Residents of Lusignan, since the incident occurred last Saturday morning, have been protesting and blocking the roadways, calling for justice.
“This is not the time to distract nor divert the law enforcement agencies to out fires as acts of protests nor to remove barricades across the roadways when they should be going after the criminals. We simply cannot afford this. Time and the maximum utilisation of the Joint Services is of essence, if we are to succeed,” Minister Rohee warned.
Meanwhile, the Home Affairs Minister issued a call for all sections of society especially the media to be responsible in their statements.
“While we cannot stop the rumours and the threatening and intimidating phone calls, some of which are quite ridiculous and far-fetched, we will certainly not leave anything to chance. I want to take this opportunity to appeal to the media to take precaution and report unfolding events in a fair, balanced and accurate manner, especially at this time when we do not want the re-creation of ethnic tension,” Minister Rohee asserted.
Gunmen invaded the East Coast Demerara community around 02:00h Saturday morning killing 11 persons, including five children. Several others were injured.
President Bharrat Jagdeo have since held meetings with the residents of Lusignan and neighbouring communities where he urged that they play an active role in securing their communities.
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President joins Muslims at Muslim Youth Organisation
-expresses condolences to relatives of slain 22-year-old
Georgetown, GINA, January 29, 2008
President Bharrat Jagdeo today joined Muslims of the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG) at the Muslim Youth Organisation compound, Woolford Avenue to view the body of 22-year-old Shazam Mohamed who will be laid to rest today.
Mohamed was one of 11 persons killed, including five children when heavily-armed gunmen invaded a number of homes at Lusignan on the East Coast of Demerara at around 2:00 h on Saturday morning last and fired indiscriminately. Three other persons were injured during the attack and have been hospitalised, including Mohamed’s father.
The 22-year-old was an accountant employed by H. Nauth and Sons and leaves to mourn his sister, mother and ten-year-old brother.
Yesterday, the Head of State met with the relatives of the 11 victims of the onslaught and they later appealed to citizens to be calm and to desist from burning tyres and blocking roads as part of protests many have been carrying out as a result of the killings.
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Community involvement in policing needs strengthening
– Presidential Adviser on Governance
Georgetown, GINA, January 29, 2008
Strengthening the fight against crime in Guyana and imbuing confidence in Guyana’s security capacity call for more participation at the community level. This is the view of the Presidential Adviser on Governance Gail Teixeira who was speaking on the Lusignan murders and its implications for Guyana during a television programme on the National Communications Network (NCN).
“The Community Policing groups whilst there have been many attempts in the past to resuscitate them by providing vehicles, uniforms and boats in some cases, the system has to be much stronger than it is right now,” Teixeira noted.
Following the call by Head of State President Jagdeo in 2006 for community policing groups, Teixeira who was then Minister of Home Affairs was part of a countrywide recruitment campaign for community police officers.
She noted that the response from other communities, such as Essequibo and Berbice, was encouraging but for the East Coast of Demerara it was comparatively low.
She added that those who were successfully established benefited from training and have been active in their campaign to date. She made reference to the Annandale policing group which has played a significant role in the community since its formation two years ago.
“We have to fall back on the community and be more vigilant and organised, either through policing groups or community development councils, to be able to monitor strangers and strange activities in their communities,” Teixeira explained.
President Bharrat Jagdeo during his meeting with East Coast Demerara residents on January 27 stressed the need for more community involvement to boost security.
In 2006 over $8B was spent on the security forces. That year there was also collaboration with the British Government and the establishment of the Security Sector Reform Plan which came out of consultations with the wide cross section of society including Parliamentary Opposition parties.
The plan which highlights the long-term interventions to improve capacity of the army and police was recently tabled in Parliament and will be placed before a special select committee.
Teixeira also alluded to several community concerns such as the high demand for police stations in every village.
“Physically it is almost impossible, especially with the resources we have available. We have to look for other methods and until we are able to come up with new ideas, the community policing groups are still the alternative… they are the eyes and ears of the community,” Teixeira said.
Calls have also been made by government for more recruitment in the Guyana Police Force (GPF) force which is crucial to the protection of society.
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City’s transport management boosted by traffic lights
-Transport Minister
Georgetown, GINA, January 29, 2008.
Minister of Transport and Hydraulics Robeson Benn has indicated that the reintroduction of traffic lights in Georgetown has resulted in significant improvement of transportation management in the City and its environs.
As part of efforts by Government to improve traffic management and add to the Capital’s ongoing modernisation programme, US$2.1M was spent to install traffic lights at crucial City intersections. The project, undertaken with support from the Indian Government targeted installation of lights at 50 junctions.
Minister Benn recently pointed out that the lights have eased the level of congestion and has reduced the number of accidents previously occurring at the various junctions, particularly in central Georgetown.
Lights have been installed at areas such as Camp and Lamaha streets, Vlissengen Road and Homestretch Avenue, Church and Main Streets, East Coast Highway and Courida Street, East Bank Highway and Eccles access road, Mandela Avenue and Hunter Street and Ogle Air Strip and the Railway Embankment road.
There are two remaining lights, one to be installed at the junction of Brickdam and Longden Street while considerations is being given to have the other set up at the Demerara Harbour Bridge and East Bank Demerara highway intersection.
The installation of traffic lights is among the many activities by Government to further enhance the City through which focus has been placed on road and drainage upgrading, better solid waste management and general beautification. The Public Works Ministry spent an estimated $158M to upgrade several roads and the City’s five main avenues and construct a parking facility at East street.
However, there are several issues still to be addressed in the City including traffic congestion, particularly at the mini-bus and car parks, encroachment of parapets and roadways by vendors and expansion of some business infrastructure and occupancy of State reserves.
Minister Benn pointed out that there are available lands located next to the parks, but which are underdeveloped, encroached by vendors or not being appropriately used. The utilisation of these, he said could address the congestion problem in Central Georgetown immediately.
More long-term intervention includes the possible development of reserves such as the Railway Embankment to facilitate larger buses travelling long distances that could discharge passengers into smaller vehicles travelling around the City.
The Minister also highlighted the problem that exists particularly in South Georgetown, where squatters are occupying the embankments and excavators cannot access the areas to carry out drainage works.
This situation apart from posing problems of hygiene, contributes to rapid accumulation of water during rainfall, resulting in extended periods of flooding. Minister Benn highlighted the need for a systematic programme to relocate the squatters so that machines could be taken into the area to clean the drains and possibly construct wooden or concrete revetments to aid faster drainage.
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NCC members discuss priority actions
Georgetown, GINA, January 29, 2008
President Bharrat Jagdeo recently chaired another meeting of the National Competitiveness Council, Guyana’s highest level body for dialogue between the Government, business community and organised labour.
Council members discussed progress on priority actions to improve Guyana’s ability to increase investment, exports, employment and growth, as set out in the National Competitiveness Strategy.
The meeting reviewed progress on issues that were initially addressed at the last meeting of the National Competitiveness Council in September 2007, specifically on progress to:
- expand shipping capacity to cater for the growing needs of exporters
- provide targeted assistance to small businesses, and operationalise the Small Business Act
- improve businesses’ access to finance at affordable interest rates
- streamline the process of registering new businesses
- liberalise the telecommunications sector to improve the quality and reduce the price of telecommunications services, as well as facilitate rapid employment growth in the ICT-enabled services sector
- improve corporate governance
- reform the tax system to boost investment while at the same time providing the Government with sufficient revenue to implement its policy objectives
- improve the efficiency of the Customs Administration
- improve the marketing of Guyana as an investment destination
Members also considered three new issues: the impact that oil price increases and GPL’S issues are having on the competitiveness of businesses, the potential for economic growth as a result of greater integration with Brazil, and the need to provide support for workers to assist them in identifying how labour can play an active role in improving Guyana’s competitiveness.
The following is a summary of what was agreed on the issues discussed .A communiqué outlining more details will be released shortly.
Shipping
Representatives of shipping and exporting companies outlined the problems they face with exporters expressing concern that the current shipping capacity at Port Georgetown is insufficient for the projected growth of exports in 2008.
President Jagdeo asked the representatives to give urgent priority to providing an estimate of what it would cost to increase the supply of containers in order to cater for the expected increase in exports in coming years. President Jagdeo said once these estimates are available, he will chair a meeting of the shippers and exporters to review proposals on how the Government and the shipping companies can work together to ensure that there are no bottle-necks for exporters from Port Georgetown. It was agreed that this be done in a commercially viable manner.
Small Business
The Chairman of the Small Business Council made a presentation on the support it requires to allow it to lead the full implementation of the Small Business Act. Following this, President Jagdeo instructed that the National Competitiveness Strategy Unit provide resources for the Small Business Council to produce a detailed submission on financial requirements to fully operationalise the Small Business Act. It was emphasised that urgent assistance was needed for small businesses across Guyana to regularise their operations, in order that they can create a better foundation for their future growth.
Access to Finance
The Minister of Finance outlined progress on the establishment of a credit bureau in Guyana. The Minister informed the Council that this work is being led by the Bank of Guyana, with the full involvement of the Bankers’ Association and the major banks. It will take approximately 18 months to provide the appropriate legal and regulatory framework for the bureau, as well as roll out the technology and procedures required for its operation.
The bureau will operate on similar lines to those already being implemented in other CARICOM countries, and will lead to less expensive finance for borrowers in Guyana.
Registering a New Business
The Chairman of the Private Sector Commission (PSC) Trade and Investment Sub-Committee updated Council members on work that had been done to identify all the steps required to register a new business, and spoke of how the business community and Government agencies are collaborating to devise a booklet setting this out in detail for those wishing to register as a business. The booklet will be made widely available.
In parallel with this work, the Support for Competitiveness programme has commenced work to modernise the Deeds Registry, which will lead to the more efficient processing of new business registration.
Telecoms Liberalisation
President Jagdeo informed the Council that negotiations with the incumbent telecommunications operator, Guyana Telephone & Telegraph company (majority owned by a company from the United States), will be commencing on February 5, 2008.
Minister of Finance Dr.Ashni Singh will be leading the Government’s negotiating team. All Council members reiterated their support for liberalisation of the telecommunications industry.
Corporate Governance
PSC representatives updated the Council on the work they have been doing to develop a Code of Good Corporate Governance for Guyana, as well as identifying any updates that are required to the legislation that covers this important area. The Securities Act Council members acknowledged the importance of good corporate governance in safe-guarding the interests of shareholders and workers, and President Jagdeo instructed the National Competitiveness Strategy Unit to provide support to engage a world-class expert in corporate governance to make recommendations to ensure that Guyana’s code is of the highest possible standards.
Tax Reform
The Coordinator of the Support for Competitiveness Programme updated members on work to start a major study of the taxation and incentives system. Consultants will start work within the next two months, and will deliver a set of recommendations before the end of the year.
President Jagdeo and the Chairman of GO-Invest informed Council members that in parallel, work has initiated to streamline GO-Invest’s processes, with the goal of improving efficiency and predictability in the conclusion of investment agreements.
Customs
Council Members heard that comprehensive studies aimed at streamlining bureaucratic procedures facing exporters were expected to commence within the next two months.
Marketing Guyana as an investment destination
President Jagdeo announced that work has started to develop a new marketing strategy to raise Guyana’s profile among investors abroad. Marketing-related recommendations that had been developed by the Competitiveness Advisory Team (a support body to the NCC) will feed in to the strategy.
The President told Council Members that a major investment conference will be held in Guyana later this year, and that this is the target milestone for the development of a wide series of marketing assets, such as detailed investment directories for the investment opportunities within the country. This will be the first of several major events, targeting substantial increases in foreign direct investment.
Energy
The private sector’s representatives emphasised the challenges faced by businesses as a result of the current high price of oil, and and indicated that they were keen on working closely with the Government to resolve problems relating to energy. With this in mind, President Jagdeo asked Prime Minister Samuel Hinds to establish and chair a new public/private body that would systematically address issues relating to energy; in the short-term to address issues such as the technical and commercial losses being experienced by GPL, and in the long-term, strategic initiatives to develop alternative energy sources proceed.
Guyana-Brazil Economic Integration
Improved economic links between Guyana and Brazil have the potential to significantly aid Guyana in achieving the overall objectives of the National Competitiveness Strategy (i.e. more growth, exports, investment and employment). The Prime Minister agreed to prioritise work to further Guyana-Brazil integration via a new Infrastructure Public-Private Dialogue Body.
The Association of Regional Chambers’ of Commerce’s representative outlined three major issues that are being experienced at the border with Brazil, chief of which is the continued lack of Customs officials on the Brazilian side of the Takutu River. This is impacting on the flow of exports from Lethem. President Jagdeo asked the representative of ARCC to submit more details on the three issues. President Jagdeo said that they would be addressed through diplomatic avenues if necessary.
Organised Labour
The representatives of organised labour emphasised the importance of developing a social partnership between workers, employers and Government and of undertaking a promotion campaign in order to encourage a shared understanding of the key role that Guyana’s labour community places in making Guyana’s industries more competitive. President Jagdeo said that in principle he supported such an initiative and the NCC members representing the organised labour community agreed to develop a more detailed proposal on how precisely this should be done.
Ongoing Monitoring of Actions Agreed at Council
A communiqué will be issued outlining the actions agreed at the meeting.. Presidential Advisor Kevin Hogan will continue to lead ongoing monitoring activities to ensure that all actions are progressed in accordance with the agreements reached at the National Competitiveness Council meeting. The next full meeting of the Council will be within the next four months.
Members of the National Competitiveness Council
Attending on behalf of the Government were His Excellency, President Bharrat Jagdeo, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, Minister of Tourism, Industry & Commerce, Mr. Manniram Prashad, Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Robert Persaud and the Chief Executive Officer of GO-Invest, Mr. Geoffrey Da Silva.
Representing the private sector and organised labour were Mr. Michael Correia, Chair of the Private Sector Commission, Mr. Ramesh Dookhoo, Chair of the Private Sector Commission’s Trade and Investment Sub-Committee, Mr. Daniel Gajie, President of the Association of Regional Chambers of Commerce, Mr. Patrick Zephyr of the Small Business Council and Mr. Carvil Duncan of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana. The Council was also very pleased to welcome new member, Ms. Gillian Burton, representing the Guyana Trades Union Congress.
Supporting the Council were Presidential Advisor Mr. Kevin Hogan, Head of the Support for Competitiveness Programme, Ms. Merlin Udho, and Senior Economist, National Competitiveness Strategy Unit, Ms. Anna Morris.
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Police traffic campaign progressing well
-75 percent reduction in road fatalities for year
Georgetown, GINA, January 29, 2008
The traffic department of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) continues to raise its level of enforcement on traffic lawlessness and its campaign “Operation Safeway” which aids in this regard is netting favourable results.
The department has reported that a total of 6,145 cases were made against defaulting motorists between January 1 and January 28. Speeding, overloaded minibuses and breach of traffic lights were the main offences.
The enforcement efforts of the ranks have resulted in a 75 percent decrease in road fatalities for the year over the corresponding period last year with four persons losing their lives by accidents, for the same period last year the figure was16.
In 2006 there were 140 accidents compared to 167 in 2007 and 154 deaths in 2006 compared to 205 last year. Most of the accidents were caused by speeding.
Traffic Chief Neil Smeple had promised that the department will be placing additional emphasis on enforcement to curb road lawlessness which caused an increase in road fatalities in 2007 and that emphasis will also be placed on training and capacity building.
There are more vibrant educational programmes, continuation of increased police presence on the roadways and the issue of loud music in vehicles is also being addressed.
The Traffic Chief said the department has been receiving considerable support from government and expressed optimism that it will continue during this year.
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Safe workplaces - Labour Ministry’s priority
Georgetown, GINA, January 29, 2008
The Parliamentary Sub-Committee on Social Services has been informed that the Labour Ministry will be prioritising safety at workplaces during this year.
Labour Minister Manzoor Nadir during a presentation to the Sub-committee recently said that the Ministry’s objective is to improve the working conditions and environment with respect to the health and safety of the workers. More focus will be placed on preventative rather than curative measures.
This objective will be realised through regular inspections and surveys of workplaces, investigations of industrial accidents and workers’ complaints. Additionally, the employer education programmes to guide employers on the best practices for health and safety in the work place will continue.
Policing of the Occupational Health and Safety (OSH) Act to ensure the establishment of OSH Committees for workplaces with more than 20 employees or OSH representatives for workplaces with less than 20 workers, are functioning at all workplaces in compliance with the Act. More emphasis will be placed on the reporting of both fatal and non-fatal industrial accidents.
The Minister told Parliamentarians that fatal accidents must be reported to the Ministry immediately and non-fatal accidents within 72 hours of its occurrence.
The records of accidents are kept in the format recommended by the International Labour Organisation and the information is used to develop new protocol to reduce the frequency and severity of accidents.
Meanwhile Nadir said that secretarial services continued to be provided to the National Advisory Council on Occupational Safety and Health which comprises persons from industries and with skills. This body is an advisory body to the Minister on workplace safety matters.
He explained the rationale of the merger of the Labour and Occupational Safety and Health functions in the Ministry which he said maximized the efficiency of the Ministry.
The merger allows the Ministry to use one inspector to conduct inspections on all aspects of a safe workplace instead of two.
Referring to the increase in reported accidents, the Minister assured Parliamentarians that this was as a result of better educated employers and increased vigilance by the Ministry and not necessarily an increase in accidents.
Members of Parliament suggested that the Labour Ministry collaborate with the Ministry of Health to identify hazards in the workplace in their preventative plans. The protection of workers from violence by other workers and passive smoking were also to be addressed by the Ministry.
The Parliamentary Sub-committee for Social Services comprises Parliamentarians from both sides of the House. They are charged with overlooking the policy implementation of all Ministries in the social services sector.
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City’s transport management boosted by traffic lights
Transport Minister
Georgetown, GINA, January 29, 2008.
Minister of Transport and Hydraulics Robeson Benn has indicated that the reintroduction of traffic lights in Georgetown has resulted in significant improvement of transportation management in the City and its environs.
As part of efforts by Government to improve traffic management and add to the Capital’s ongoing modernisation programme, US$2.1M was spent to install traffic lights at crucial City intersections. The project, undertaken with support from the Indian Government targeted installation of lights at 50 junctions.
Minister Benn recently pointed out that the lights have eased the level of congestion and has reduced the number of accidents previously occurring at the various junctions, particularly in central Georgetown.
Lights have been installed at areas such as Camp and Lamaha streets, Vlissengen Road and Homestretch Avenue, Church and Main Streets, East Coast Highway and Courida Street, East Bank Highway and Eccles access road, Mandela Avenue and Hunter Street and Ogle Air Strip and the Railway Embankment road.
There are two remaining lights, one to be installed at the junction of Brickdam and Longden Street while considerations is being given to have the other set up at the Demerara Harbour Bridge and East Bank Demerara highway intersection.
The installation of traffic lights is among the many activities by Government to further enhance the City through which focus has been placed on road and drainage upgrading, better solid waste management and general beautification. The Public Works Ministry spent an estimated $158M to upgrade several roads and the City’s five main avenues and construct a parking facility at East street.
However, there are several issues still to be addressed in the City including traffic congestion, particularly at the mini-bus and car parks, encroachment of parapets and roadways by vendors and expansion of some business infrastructure and occupancy of State reserves.
Minister Benn pointed out that there are available lands located next to the parks, but which are underdeveloped, encroached by vendors or not being appropriately used. The utilisation of these, he said could address the congestion problem in Central Georgetown immediately.
More long-term intervention includes the possible development of reserves such as the Railway Embankment to facilitate larger buses travelling long distances that could discharge passengers into smaller vehicles travelling around the City.
The Minister also highlighted the problem that exists particularly in South Georgetown, where squatters are occupying the embankments and excavators cannot access the areas to carry out drainage works.
This situation apart from posing problems of hygiene, contributes to rapid accumulation of water during rainfall, resulting in extended periods of flooding. Minister Benn highlighted the need for a systematic programme to relocate the squatters so that machines could be taken into the area to clean the drains and possibly construct wooden or concrete revetments to aid faster drainage.
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Monitor municipal finances - Minister Lall urges town clerks
Georgetown, GINA, January 28, 2008
The Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development recently held its Municipal Governance Seminar which focused on strengthening the working relationship between the municipalities and the Municipal Services Division, to clarify the roles and functions in maintaining the six towns.
Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Kellawan Lall in his address at a recent seminar held at the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre, encouraged the clerks from the six municipalities to manage their finances adequately towards the upkeep of their particular towns.
“It is important for us to conduct such a seminar, essentially because we have noticed that some of the statutory bodies are not having tight financial control and budgeting,’ Minister Lall said.
There has not been sufficient allocation for the capital works because most of the allocation is spent on current expenditures, he said.
The Ministry is insisting that the various budgetary allocations for the municipalities should be spent directly towards capital works.
Minister Lall said what is hindering the development process in these towns is the non-collection of rates and taxes, noting that only 50 percent of Guyanese households living within municipal areas are paying rates and taxes.
However, because it is recognized that the present rates are not affordable for some, there will be no increase of rates and taxes this year.
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Guyana to press on with YABT youth development proposals– Minister Anthony
Georgetown, GINA, January 29, 2008
Guyana will be working to implement the proposals identified for youth development in Guyana during a collaborative programme with the Young American Business Trust (YABT).
Minister of Culture Youth and Sport Dr.Frank Anthony give his assurance while speaking at the launching of the Guyana National Chapter and business programme of the YABT which was launched in the presence of OAS Secretary-General Albert Ramdin and representatives of the Trust on January 28.
“The findings that we recieved and the things that we found, we are not going to wait until we get all the money to initiate the process but we are going to work with what we got,” Minister Anthony noted.
Minister Anthony commended the YABT for helping the Ministry to improve its focus and identify five key areas for youth development. One such was improving educational opportunities for youths who were neglected in their early life.
Through this programme youths are able to acquire technical skills which will make them employable and become advocates for healthy lifestyle practices.
He used the occasion to highlight Guyana’s successful entrepreneurial skills training programmes which are offered residentially at the Kuru Kuru and Sophia training centres.
“Education is playing an integral part in what we do in the Ministry and with the assistance of the YABT we can now have a chapter in Guyana to train young people with entrepreneurship,” Minister Anthony said.
Guyana’s collaboration with the YABT dates back to 2006 when a grant from the Inter-American Development Bank was provided for the establishment of programmes for youth development in Guyana.
The Trust after conducting several assessments and consultations with youths across the country led to the establishment of a youth loan.
The YABT was established in 1999 to promote entrepreneurship of youths through the establishment of programmes for leadership, technology and alliances. Through the programme employment opportunities for youths are created by way of small businesses.
Chapters of the YABT have been established in The Bahamas, Brazil, Bolivia Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Grenada, Guyana, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, St. Kitts and Uruguay.
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