Remittance company rewards agents, employees

May 04, 2009 News

…as PSC Chairman delivers encouraging address

Following a three year hiatus, Grace Kennedy Remittances Services (Guyana) Limited on Saturday evening hosted its awards ceremony for agents and staff members.
Country Manager Coleen Patterson, who thanked the agents and employees for their sterling service in 2008, pointed out that with the current economic downturn the company will certainly face challenges.
She added also that a piece of legislation that was recently passed, namely the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter the Finance of Terrorism Bill would have a significant impact on the company.
Patterson however id not elaborate.

The Awardees pose with Country Manager Coleen Patterson (standing centre without award in hand)

She said that the Fiscal Transfers Agencies and Licensing Bill will not adversely affect the company given that the level of service provided by GKRS Guyana Ltd. was way above the minimum requirements of the legislation.
She posited that the prevailing factors in the world did not paint a pretty picture but she was confident that the company could weather it, given their phenomenal service to customers’ solidifying loyalty.
Patterson told the gathering that converged at the Theatre Guild for the simple ceremony that the company in 2008 had many achievements to be proud of such as the two year scholarship that was awarded to a Lethem student, the sponsoring of young Bill Rogers, a television program ‘Mathematics is fun’ as well as some promotions to reward customers among others.
“It commendable to see how far our tentacles can reach,” said Patterson
The programme had listed President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce Chandradat Chitanmani and Chairman of the Private Sector Commission Captain Gerry Gouveia for remarks but Chitanmani was a no show.
“Whatever the mind can conceive, the mind can achieve…success is not only about wealth but doing your best and feeling good about yourself at the end of the day.”
This was among the main messages that were conveyed to the staffers and agents of GKRS by Captain Gouveia who noted that it is incumbent for each and every member of a company to go beyond the call of duty to ensure its survival and success.
The PSCV chairman also stressed the need for integrity in oneself which is an important trait for anyone who wishes to survive in the world of business especially in the financial industry which GKRS is a part of.
As a company, he noted that there must be a sense of corporate social responsibility and to the agents and employees personal social responsibility was extremely important aspects of life, “the development of the country is not for the government alone but every citizen and company has their role to play and get involved.”
Dozens of awards were handed out for various achievements including that of longest serving employees and most transactions accumulated for the 2008 business year.
GKRS Guyana Ltd is a subsidiary of Grace, Kennedy and Company Ltd., Jamaica and is considered to be one of the strongest groups of companies in the Caribbean ever since its establishment in January 1993.
GKRS was primarily created to bring the services of Western Union money transfer to the people of Guyana.
The company began its operations with one central location in Georgetown and a decade later the local network has expanded to include some 39 agent locations across Guyana. GKRS, which is part of the Grace, Kennedy Information Division, provides similar services in its mother territory Jamaica and also in Trinidad and Tobago and Haiti. Western Union is by far, the most complete and comprehensive international money transfer company in the world, offering a premium brand at a premium price.
Under the ambit of its parent company, GKRS (Guyana) remains competitive and relevant by strengthening its alliance with Western Union International, and by continuously investing in appropriate technology and training of its staff members.
In response to changing market forces, the company responded by diversifying its services.
The company now offers customers a one-stop bill payment service, Bill Express.