Taking ethnic concerns into consideration cannot slow economic development

Feb 04, 2011 Letters

Dear Editor,
Please allow me to respond to Mr. Jason Abdulla’s letter, “AFC’s lofty ideas lack real substance” (Kaieteur News, February 1, 2011). Mr. Abdulla believes that the AFC’s consciousness of ethnic issues is impractical and will slow the pace of Guyana’s economic development.
We totally reject this notion. The letter is flawed in a number of ways.
Economic development cannot be retarded by ethnic impact audits from the party’s economic policies. In contrast, being sensitive to ethnic concerns will enhance economic development because it will add trust and cohesion among all ethnic groups. In addition, the following policies are likely to lead to rapid economic transformation instead of the stagnation resulting from the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS). Unlike the LCDS which is premised on obtaining finance from one source (REDD funds), the AFC’s strategy is multi-dimensional because it tackles underdevelopment from several angles. Here are a few polices that will speed up the rate of growth and development.
1. Massive infusion of foreign private investments.
2. A Diaspora policy that seeks to bring Guyanese (their talents and finance) back home.
3. Cut in the profit tax so businesses can invest and hire more.
4. Constitutional reform that diminishes the power of the Executive President, thus allowing other individuals in government to voice their ideas and concerns.
5. Training of Guyanese so that they can pursue careers and self-employment in areas such as refrigeration, electrical design, carpentry, landscaping, etc.
6. The development of a more efficient financial system that will see the emergence of capital and money markets.
7. The re-establishment of the state development bank to offer credit in collaboration with the private commercial banks.
8. Comprehensive overhaul of the security forces.
9. Focus on arts, sports and culture as wealth creation methods.
10. Development of manufacturing, information technology, eco-tourism and agro-processing.
11. A comprehensive Region Ten policy framework focusing on alumina, block making and other manufacturing.
12. A comprehensive policy to save GuySuCo by promoting a national ethanol mandate that will also save foreign exchange since Guyana will import fewer gallons of gasoline.
13. A renewable energy strategy that will see a portfolio of energy sources such as bio-diesel (from coconuts), ethanol from sugar, and small and medium sized hydroelectric plants.
The above list represents just a few of the policies the AFC intend to implement. I urge Mr. Abdulla to read the AFC’s Action Plan so that he could be better informed.
Sheila Holder

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Taking ethnic concerns into consideration cannot slow economic development

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