Our manufacturers are not visionary people

Aug 17, 2016 Letters

Dear Editor,
Please permit me a few lines to offer a response to KN article of 15. 8. 2016. “Is Guyana’s manufacturing sector dying? In July 2000, I left my native Guyana with an extremely “bad taste” in my mouth. While working in Guyana I was excited and dedicated to bring change to my country. However, the corruption and lack of vision in both political and civil society left me incapable of being that change agent.
In May of this year I was hit with that urge of returning and offering my services. So I came to Guyana and the timing was right. It was the Golden Jubilee and I was able to go to the Guy Expo. Here I was clearly able to identify major problems with the Guyana Manufacturing Sector. I specifically visited booths that were 100 Guyanese products.
I was honestly impressed with the quality and creativity of some of the packaged goods but at the same time, I was totally disappointed with the companies’ lack of vision and purpose especially when it comes to product improvement, branding and export market opportunities. When I asked their top management who they currently market to, 90% responded, Barbados Trinidad and Suriname.
The others were mostly local market. I asked if they had any plans to explore the US, European and South American markets and they quickly said that it is impossible to get in those markets. What a tremendous lack of vision and what I term lack of omni-channel effectiveness. To me that is the mentality of a street hustler – hustle for today only. Like Unami’s CEO, I too am upset that such products, that I grew up making in my own home and now being imported. It is true that local manufacturers need to up their game. In this competitive environment local manufacturers need to be nimble and strategic in anticipating growth opportunities, improving manufacturing excellence, leveraging the access to and availability of raw materials.
Minister Jordan, forget the past. In manufacturing, the 70’s and 80’s are ancient times and not present day, given the technological advances that have been made. You are comparing apples to oranges. But with all of that aside, what are you prepared to do to inject some life into the dying manufacturing sector? You have to honestly compare many possible factors, some of which you and the government you represent, can easily change in favor of the Guyanese manufacturers. Just take for example the cost of crop production per acre in Guyana compared to Thailand, Jamaica or Suriname. Guyana’s costs are substantially higher. The costs for acquiring land, fertilizer, seed, fuel, transportation and exorbitant taxes drastically reduce manufacturers’ competitiveness.
Instead of being “unashamedly critical of the GMSA for crying out about challenges”, some of which I know are very valid, Mr Jordan, please roll up your sleeves (and your pants foot) and let us rebuild this nation. At the end of the day you will not only be doing your job, but you will also be a proud partner in the resuscitation of the manufacturing sector. If you are serious about your statement “manufacturing in Guyana must become a key driver of rapid economic growth, and the associated creation of employment, both directly and indirectly”, then do as my old man would say – get cracking.
You and the government of Guyana can apply basic things to improve the country’s infrastructure, develop sustainable road networks, improve administrative services throughout the public service and reduce taxes and or create sensible subsidies and concessions. I also agree with some manufacturers that the financial institutions need to be more lender friendly to the manufacturers.
These are some of the issues that adversely affect manufacturing/export competitiveness and can be easily resolved by the powers to be. Yes, the development and timely implementation of adequate and effective policies and services coupled with costs and operational efficiencies on a national scale, consistently across all interrelated functions will definitely bring new life to Guyana’s manufacturing sector. All for now and remember that I am all in.
Doc Jay

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