Outgoing City Chamber President wants better governance

Last Updated on Saturday, 26 December 2015, 20:59 by GxMedia

A call for Local Government Elections to be held this year and the implementation of the effective anti-money laundering legislation were among several appeals made by outgoing President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Clinton Urling .

Urling , while addressing a gathering of businesspersons ,diplomats and the media the body’s annual general meeting (AGM) at the Duke Lodge in Kingston today , also called on policy makers and politicians to “put aside their narrow ways “ and work towards consensus  on issues critical to nation building .

In his last address as leader of the body, Urling said “we want local government elections this year and the government to give GECOM all the equipment and resources necessary to carry out the elections…we want an effective anti-money laundering legislation …we want a clear and concrete diversification and manufacturing programme”. But President Donald Ramotar at a news conference again refused to give any specific time-frame ffor local government elections. The City, town and neighbourhood councils are in administrative shambles since the last elections were held in 1994.

He also called on the authorities to create and operationalize the National Competitiveness Council and implement Guyana’s national economic policies. He added that the creation of a Public Procurement Commission is also vital to the transparency, adding that the body will ensure a clear process of ensuring the best contractors are awarded contracts for projects across the country. Urling also appealed for  “a stronger Foreign Ministry “which he noted must “act as link between our private sector and the global community and to effectively market Guyana as a business destination”.

Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr Nicole Giles highlighted the relations Canada has had with the business community here and corporate Guyana as a whole over the years. She said the areas of security, business development and economic partnerships are among several which are being advanced between the two nations.

She said that since she has been installed as High Commissioner, she has admired the determination and strength of the GCCI to attract investment. She also pledged her country’s continued support towards the enhancement of business development here.” We stand ready to continue  work with Guyana government , industry, small and medium enterprises and all stakeholders to promote investment and take the economy further “. 

Earlier Urling highlighted several activities and events which are on-going and planned for undertaking by the GCCI. Among those are the research by the entity on property rights, human capacity development seminars ,a University of Guyana(UG) donation drive as well as an internship with UG ,rebuilding of the GCCI’s secretariatand donation of breathalyzers to the Guyana Police Force.