Dominic Gaskin meets Linden business community

Mar 06, 2018 News

– Blasts media house for highlighting ills of Exxon Mobil contract

Minister Gaskin speaking with CEO of Pleasurable Flavours, Diana Plowell during his walkabout.

Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin, through the Linden Chamber of Industry, Commerce and Development made his first Ministerial Outreach to Region Ten, Wednesday.
President of the Linden Chamber, Victor Fernandes, said that the Linden Chamber is pleased to be able to have the Minister visit and speak with members of the Private Sector in Linden.
Fernandes said that the Business sector has many concerns and issues that need to be highlighted. He was happy that the Minister’s outreach gives the opportunity to ventilate the concerns and issues.
Fernandes said that he wants the Tourism Sector in Region Ten to come to the front burner. “We want it to come to the front because we have natural Tourism facilities; and all we have to do is to enhance our services and market our product. Besides, what we have to offer is very natural.”
Chamber President, Fernandes, said that the small contractors have a concern whether they are guaranteed the 20% of the contracts allocated.
The President also shared the plans of the Chamber for this year. They include training in Occupational Health and Safety, Tour Guides and Customer Service.
During his meeting with the Private Sector in the Boardroom of Linden Enterprise Network (LEN), the Minister said that the visit is part of the outreach routine and to more or less to listen to the problems of the Private Sector.
However, the Minister said that there is a future for Guyana which is largely in the Oil and Gas Sector and which is in contrast to what is been seen on a daily basis in the media.
The Minister said that one particular media house seems to be intent on making them feel as though they are getting into a bad deal and will not be the beneficiaries.
“It is unfortunate that this particular newspaper everyday blasts on its front page about ExxonMobil, but this is the best thing that has happened to Guyana, economically, in decades. It is a very positive development.
“Criticism is not a bad thing, but attacking a foreign company that has come to Guyana and invested heavily in a sector that we ourselves don’t have the capacity to develop or exploit or explore is to be counterproductive.
“It is anti business and it is anti Guyana.”
The Minister said that the contract signed with the Company is touted as a bad deal. Many have started to believe that, because they are reading it every day but it is not a bad contract.
“It is obviously an agenda there and it is not one that is good for Guyana for everyday on the front page is something negative.”
The Minister also said that Guyana does not have the expertise. As long as the Oil and Gas Sector forges ahead, there will be major developments in Guyana. Opportunities will be created in all sectors such as Agriculture, Tourism, Forestry and Mining.
According to some of the small business owners, they are stagnant because they are being stymied and it is becoming very frustrating.
Norvell Fredricks, owner of ‘Fredco’s Photo Studio’ and ‘Freddie’s Wings and Wedges’ told the Minister that they are facing issues with Central Housing and Planning Authority and the Guyana Revenue Authority.
The Minister told the business owners, that coming on stream in 2019, is the ‘Single Electronic Window’ project, which will oversee Government Agencies. He asked that the Chamber get involved.
He also said that he found Lindeners are very proud of their Region especially in Tourism and that is a very good start for Tourism.
During his walkabout, the Minister visited many small businesses. They included Triple L Bakery, K-Electric, The Green House, Pleasurable Flavours and Chetram Sawmill and Roofing manufacturers.
The Minister also paid a courtesy call on the Regional Chairman.

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