Economic production, political cooperation and social cohesion

Apr 16, 2017 APNU Column, Features / Columnists

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The Pomeroon-Supenaam Region is a vast area of 6,195 km2. It is larger than the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts-Nevis, St. Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines can all fit into this region – all at same time.
The Region, despite its size and population, has been punching above its weight in terms of its share of national output of coconut, fish, rice and timber. The region, in 2016 produced 85,745 metric tonnes of rice, 810 metric tonnes of marine fish and shrimp, 270,319 metric tonnes of aquaculture fish and 44.4 million coconuts.
The Region, in 2016, accounted for 16 per cent of total national rice output, 48 per cent of national production of coconuts, 14 per cent of the national catch of fish and shrimp and 60 per cent of national aquaculture production.
The Region contributes to our food security. Its economic activities generate wealth and create jobs. It has tremendous potential for economic development. It is endowed with very fertile land. It has considerable experience and expertise in agriculture. The Region is this country’s food bowl and fish basket, and can help to feed the rest of Guyana and find export markets for its produce and products within the eastern Caribbean.
The industriousness of the Region’s hard-working residents and the intelligence of its students – as evident in their performance at the CSEC examinations in science and technical-vocational subjects – can contribute to a strong agro-processing and manufacturing base.
Pomeroon-Supenaam, however, faces challenges. The Region has comparative advantages in agricultural production. Economy production can be diversified, political collaboration can be improved and social cohesion can be enhanced among the various political organizations, geographical zones and social groups.
Central government, the regional administration, the Anna Regina town council and stakeholders in the private sector must work together for the Region’s economic diversification.
This Region’s economic development must be driven by its capital town – Anna Regina. The town:
– is the Region’s administrative centre, with a quarter of the population and responsibility for the delivery of public services such as public health, public infrastructure, public transportation, public education, public security and social protection.
– is the Region’s commercial centre, with its main business district, government offices, commercial banks, entertainment places, hotels, markets, post office, police station, rice mills, shops, sports facilities and stores.
The Regional Administration, the town council, central government and other stakeholders such as the Essequibo Chamber of Commerce must collaborate so as to convert the Region’s unquestionable potential into prosperity for everyone.
The Region’s economy cannot be tied eternally to raw rice, coconuts, fish, and timber. The Region’s economy can be made more resilient through agro-processing and manufacturing. This diversification requires a multi-stakeholder fashioned Regional Action Plan. We propose that this plan be established on four pillars:
– Institutions: The Region’s principal institutions – the Regional Democratic Council, the town council and the Chamber of Commerce – must work together with Central Government to develop a realistic plan for the region’s development. A mechanism must be established to facilitate this collaboration.
The Central Government is prepared to work along with all these stakeholders in promoting economic development and diversification.
– Investment: The Region needs investments to enable economic diversification. Micro- and small business financing, including financing for cottage industries, will help create jobs for the people of Essequibo through self-employment.
The region should actively court investors for economic diversification such as energy-generation from solar, wind and hydro-power. The Region’s economy can be boosted through manufacturing, including cottage industries, around its fruit production.
Fruit can be processed as jams, jellies and juices. Rice can be processed into cereals and other products. Coconut-based products are enjoying high demand on account of their health and beauty benefits, and can become a strong a manufacturing base.
– Infrastructure: The Region’s economic development can be improved with more extensive transportation infrastructure. The underdevelopment of transportation continues to affect farmers and businesses. Government will work to support efforts to improve riverine transportation in order to make it easier for farmers and manufacturers to move their produce and products to markets. Flooding has led to crop losses by farmers. Investments to improve drainage are needed.
– Information communications technology: Information communication technology is a window to the world. It allows businesses to understand the needs and demands of external markets. It can help them promote their products overseas and attract investment. It improves communication.
Information communication technology can create hundreds of jobs for the young people of this region though the establishment of call centres. The Essequibo Chamber of Commerce has been making strident demands for the improvement of the Region’s telephone and internet services.
The Essequibo Agro and Trade Exposition is an opportunity for the Pomeroon-Supenaam Region to make a national statement about economic development and economic diversification.
The Region must follow-up this ‘Exposition’ with improved political collaboration and enhanced social cohesion among the various political organizations, geographical zones and social groups in order to craft a plan for faster growth and prosperity for all.

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