GCCI wants win -win scenario for BK and Public Works

Sep 20, 2013 News

The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and industry (GCCI) in overlooking the ensuing back and forth exchanges between the Ministry of Public Works and BK International over whether or not there are stone shortages within Guyana, is calling on both parties to come to an amicable decision that would bring about consensus.

GCCI President Clinton Urling

The contentions came about when the Government signaled its intentions to import stones since contractors were complaining of stone shortages on the market. BK however in response to the Government, invited the media to inspect their quarry plants and see firsthand their production and surplus of stones available for sale.
BK International has even stated further that should sales not be forth coming they will have no choice but to export their granite stones. The company’s CEO Brian Tiwarie said “we are giving up to this month end; if by this month end we see that they are not taking the stone, then we will ship it out, because we have an order of 50,000 tonnes per month to head to Trinidad. A Brazilian company is doing a huge highway in Trinidad we are now signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to have the 50, 000 tons delivered with our ships.”
This also comes in the wake of the market currently being supplied with slate stones by Gafsons Industry, a type of stone that BK has quantified as being inferior.
Minister of Public Works Robeson Benn however in defending that there is indeed a shortage, expounded that the mere fact that stone is being imported and that stone prices have risen by 40 percent in two years,- is evidence enough that there is a shortage of stone on the market. According to figures from the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), five quarries owned by BK, Toolsie Persaud and Baracara Quarries among others produced over 483,000 tonnes of boulders, crusher run, sifting and other stones last year. Government projects demanded 1.16 million tonnes, clear indications that there is a shortage.
The Ministry said it has since advised the administration to import stones as quarries have not been producing enough to meet local demands.
Taking all of the above into consideration GCCI in a press release, yesterday stated that “It is our principled and fundamental belief that if our local private sector companies can supply any goods or services adequately and which meets the necessary quality threshold, then the government should not intervene and compete or cause market distortion by importing such goods and services. In this particular case, the Ministry of Public Works should concede the benefit of the doubt to BK International and take the company up on its stated public position that it can sufficiently supply the domestic market with stones if the requisite demands are made.”
Moreover, GCCI calls for “constructive and productive dialogue and consultation between the Ministry of Public Works and private industry players to asses and evaluate the current challenges and to arrive at common ground on this issue to ensure that the best possible outcome is arrived at for the interest of all Guyanese.”

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