IN an effort to promote greater partnership and trade, the European Union (EU)-Guyana Chamber of Commerce was officially launched on Wednesday at the Bel Air Springs, Georgetown residence of outgoing EU Ambassador to Guyana, Fernando Ponz Canto.
While delivering the keynote address, President Dr. Irfaan Ali, remarked that the launching of the chamber is a strategic part of Guyana’s overall agenda to position itself as a leader in the global arena.
“We have to position Guyana and Guyana’s future in the global environment. We have a central future in the global environment,” the President noted before adding: “This chamber will help us connect people to people, technology to technology, knowledge to knowledge, business to business, reinforcing capital and looking at ways in which we can advance the development agenda of Guyana through this partnership.”
The President pointed to food production, fresh water supply, as well as climate, environmental and ecological services as being some of the key areas where, over the next few years, Guyana is looking to become a leading nation in.
“These are the areas that are very important globally and in all of these areas Guyana can be positioned within the top. It just requires thought, technology, the right approach, right regulations, systems, institutions, and balance, “President Ali said.
The chamber is seen as an important element in the EU-Guyana bilateral relations.
The President said that the government is currently working on several streams of financing for the development of major areas of Guyana, and noted that partnerships like the EU-Guyana Chamber strategically positions businesses to be able to better access financing.
The President called for greater partnerships between Guyanese and EU countries and encouraged the formation of consortiums to take advantage of opportunities available in Guyana and for Guyana to get greater market access in the EU.
“I would say to those in Europe that this government is welcoming investors. We want to see greater collaboration with the local investors. We want to see the building of new initiatives. We support critical thinking. Let us work together,” the President said.
He used the opportunity to call on those in the local business sector to not to focus on shortsighted business deals but rather on the wider picture that will bring about sustainable long-term initiatives.
“We have to use this opportunity. I want the business sector not to look narrowly at the transactions. This is not what these chambers are there for. It’s much more than that. It is building a system, an infrastructure, an ecosystem to support us in long-term objectives,” the President said.
Also making remarks at the event was Canto, who noted that bilateral Chambers of Commerce are important in the advancement of collaborative economic and commercial solutions.
“The foundation of these organisations is based on mutual respect and understanding in the kind of value that we share,” Canto said.
Noting that the creation of the chamber comes as Guyana and the EU observe 50 years of diplomatic relations this year, Canto said that this is a fitting way to celebrate the milestone.
“The establishment of this Chamber of Commerce is probably one of the best ways to bring more [of] Guyana to Europe and more [of] Europe to Guyana. This is much more than a slogan; this is something with real concrete benefits to citizens and we are determined to work very hard for that,” Canto said.
The chamber is expected to facilitate seminars, workshops, round table discussions, and working events for members, including specific initiatives targeting the smaller members.
“We are very interested in promoting small and medium business, women entrepreneurs and those who have less resources. The smaller companies have it more difficult and they are very important so we will cater to them,” Canto said.
During the launch, remarks were also made by Chief Executive Officer of the EuroChambers, Ben Butters; representative of the Caribbean Export Development Agency, Damie Sinanan, and Facilitator of the EuroChamber Steering Committee, Maniram Prashad, among others.