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See below full statement issued by the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI):

Guyana on the presentation of the $1.382 trillion 2025 National Budget under the theme ‘A Secure, Prosperous, and Sustainable Guyana’—which was notably an increase of 20.6 percent from the 2024 National Budget, with no new taxes.

As Guyana’s development continues on an upward trajectory, the Chamber is pleased with the projected GDP growth of 10.6 percent for 2025, coupled with the anticipated 13.8 percent growth in the non-oil economy this year. With these projections, Guyana is expected to remain the world’s third fastest-growing economy. This comes on the heels of the country’s noteworthy economic performance in 2024—43.6 percent overall and an increase of 13.1 percent in the non-oil economy.

Guyana’s development and outstanding economic performance require prudent economic management and measures, and the Chamber has taken note of several interventions that cater to increasing sectoral performances sustainably while investing in socio-economic development.

The Chamber wishes to firstly applaud the Government for increasing the income tax threshold to $130,000, while decreasing the PAYE rate to 25 percent, thereby increasing employees’ disposable income. These measures, in conjunction with several other cash injections through one-off cash grants, annual cash grants, and old age pensions and public assistance increases, as well as measures to alleviate the cost-of-living amount to a keen focus on improving citizens’ welfare.

The GCCI also commends the increased investment in the agriculture, extractives, manufacturing, construction, and services sectors, particularly given the projected sectoral growth. Additionally, the Chamber has noted the strong focus on infrastructural development and the energy sector. It is crucial that focus be placed on aligning the country’s infrastructure with the increased investment interests—especially as it relates to energy and transportation infrastructure.

Among the numerous projects announced, the Chamber wishes to highlight the focus on small business development with the injection of $3 billion for the establishment of industrial estates in Regions 2,3,4 and 10.

This, in addition to the proposed removal of import VAT machinery used in the agriculture sector, the removal of VAT on automated poultry pens and veterinary supplies, and back-up generators, as well as measures to reduce freight costs are welcomed interventions.

Over the years, the GCCI has continued to highlight challenges with the labour shortage, as such, the move to invest heavily in the education sector—including the funding of the University of Guyana and other technical institutes across the country, thereby removing tuition—must be commended as a step in the right direction. This will further enhance the country’s workforce and ability to meet the needs of all sectors—particularly the oil and gas industry.

 

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A total of 89 new ranks successfully completed eight months of rigorous training to join the Guyana Police Force.

The new recruits graduated on Wednesday from the Police Academies in Berbice and Essequibo.

As part of their training, the ranks also did Spanish as the Force enhances its proficiency in foreign languages.

The ranks were required to complete several modules and competencies, achieving a minimum pass mark of 70%. The training covered the following areas; Introduction to Policing; Basic Contemporary Policing; modern-day best practices, an in-depth examination of the Police Standing Orders, Police Act Chapter 16:01, and the Police Disciplinary Act Chapter 17:01.

Additionally, the ranks were exposed to firsthand experience of court proceedings at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and also witnessed several autopsies at the Georgetown Public Hospital Mortuary.

The ranks were required to complete several modules and competencies, achieving a minimum pass mark of 70%.

The ranks also participated in theoretical and practical aspects of traffic and crime.

Other courses included anger management, domestic violence, human rights, and communication among others.

Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken congratulated the ranks for their courage and overall achievement throughout their stint at the Academy.

The Commissioner stressed to the new ranks the need for professionalism and accountability. He charged the ranks to engage with the community and to be friendly.

He reiterated that community-oriented policing has proven to be effective in crime reduction.

“To make a difference, what you can do for us is: if somebody is wrong, tell them they are wrong.

“If someone is doing the right thing, embrace them,” the top cop said.

The overall Best Student award went to Constable 26624 Tacoordeen who gained an overall pass mark of 97%.

Additionally, 12 ranks were awarded for their outstanding performances.

The overall Best Student award went to Constable 26624 Tacoordeen who gained an overall pass mark of 97%.

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A critical issue is currently plaguing the education sector – teachers’ absenteeism. This was revealed by Minister of Education Priya Manickchand on Wednesday at an event at the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE).

Manickchand revealed about 30 to 40 per cent of Guyana’s 14,000 teachers are absent daily from classrooms.

“Now there are peculiarities in the teaching profession.

“Most of our teachers are women, so you’re pregnant, you have maternity leave or pregnancy issues that are keeping you home, I would be the first to tell you to stay home.

“But that’s not what we are talking about – 40 per cent of our teachers are not pregnant every day,” Manickchand highlighted.

The Education Minister also flagged other issues like teachers neglecting their duties, incomplete syllabi and teachers failing to provide students with past exam papers.

“I got a message about a particular school very close by… I am going to be visiting myself, teachers are in the staffroom ‘gyaffin’ and all the classes left empty (while) we are three months away from an exam,” Manickchand stated.

And so, she underscored the need for teachers to be held accountable.

“We have to be accountable, not because accountability is the new fashionable thing. In our sector, accountability means the difference between a child thriving when they grow up or struggling in poverty, that’s what accountability for education means,” Manickchand said.

Minister Manickchand further expressed frustration with disparities in educational outcomes, particularly in areas with 100 per cent trained teachers.

“So we have a particular place in Guyana that has a 100 per cent trained teachers and I don’t see the corresponding better results in that particular place than a place that does not have 100 per cent trained teachers so the system will now have to cleanse itself, we have to move to a place where the system has to want more.”

She pointed out that the government cannot be investing in teachers and education and not get quality education and results.

To address these issues, Manickchand spoke about the possibility of retraining teachers and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving conditions for teachers.

“If we are going to change out what we offer, what we invest to make you the best teacher you can be, so that you can feel personal gratification, that you are meeting your calling, so that you can get a better pay and better salary…

“…what do you have to give back to these children, who in many cases you are all they have in that classroom,” Manickchand said to teachers.

Manickchand further highlighted that education has the transformative power to change lives and “if you are truly a teacher who pays attention, you will see that before you every day.”

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Popular philanthropist and ardent cricket supporter, Dave Narine, of Dave West Indian Imports (USA) on Wednesday (January 22) launched Everest Cricket Club’s pavilion and hall rehabilitation fund with a first donation of G$500,000.

Receiving the cheque on behalf of Everest, in the club’s pavilion, was national player Richie Looknauth.

The launch of the Renovation Fund precedes a massive Bingo, which will be held on Saturday (January 25) on the grounds of the club.

The project is integral to the programmes of the club which contribute to the development and overall wellbeing of its members.

Some programmes include Everest’s Annual Youth Cricket Camp, Yoga and Karate classes and seminars for management and mental strength.

The project has a G$20M cost and will begin in the first quarter of 2025.

Speaking to the contribution, Narine said that this is an initial contribution to kick start the project and that he will make a further contribution.

He said that Everest Cricket Club has been leading the nation in terms of the provision of sporting facilities of exceptional high standards.

Congratulating and commending the club, the Guyanese businessman added that the executive and members of the Club have been working hard to meet the high expectations of a modern nation.

He encourages others to come aboard the project that will contribute to talent development as Guyana prepares to compete at the Olympics in the sport of cricket.

Dave’s West Indian Imports is the proud sponsor of an annual rival match between Albion Community Centre Cricket Club and Everest Cricket Club and was once the title sponsor for the Guyana Cricket Board’s Under-15 Inter-County tournament.

Thanks to Dave’s West Indian Imports, many of the finest Guyanese and West Indian products are available in Queen’s New York, Maryland and New Hampshire in the United States of America.

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Abel Fernandez and Kataleya Sam are the new Under-12 Chess Champions for 2025 after performing splendidly in the National Under-12 Chess Championships.

The tournament, sponsored by Moo Milk, went off without a hitch on January 19 in the Oasis Terrace Room of the Guyana Pegasus Hotel, Kingston.

The Guyana Chess Federation hosted some 54 participants, the largest ever for an Under-12 tournament, with 38 boys and 16 girls.

The seven-round competition showcased outstanding talent from young upcoming chess enthusiasts and fierce competition from the more experienced players in the junior divisions vying for top honours in the Open and Girls categories.

Newcomer to the scene, Abel Fernandez, copped the Open Category Under-12 Championship prize when he defeated his opponents to become the holder of the 2025 title.

The top performers of the U-8 and U-10 categories

The defending Girls Champion, Kataleya Sam, successfully regained her crown after playing unbeaten in the seven rounds.

The Open category was hotly contested, with Fernandez winning with six points.

The 2024 Open U-12 Champion, Jeremy Cole, placed second with 5.5 points, while Yan Wen Chen took the third placement, also with 5.5 points.

In the Girls category, Chelsea Harrison copped the second-place trophy with five points, while Rebha Lachman placed third, also with five points.

Category prizes went to the Best U-10 player, Aiden Tinnie, in the Open Category, while Saura Ruplall won Best U-10 player in the Girls Category.

The Best U-8 prize went to Zidane Harmon and Isabella Loy in the Open and Girls categories respectively.

Medals were presented to the second and third places for the U-10 and U-8 age categories.

Placing second and third for the U-10 Open were Javier Davenand, with five points, and Vir Narine, with five points.

In the Girls Category, placing second and third were Amy Ramphal and Divya Persaud.

From the youngsters in the U-8 Open, Avery Munroe and Ian Charles took home second and third medals, and the U-8 Girls, Malia Thompson and Maya Khan earned their second and third spots, respectively.

The tournament attracted a large group of players

Each participant was presented with a certificate of participation by Moo Milk representative, Shannon Savory, who also presented the trophies and medals.

The Rapid Chess competition was set to seven rounds each for both the Open and Girls categories and was played in the Swiss format with a time control of 20 minutes plus five-second increments after the first move.

The competition featured top-tier players vying for the titles, with several girls achieving outstanding results.

This year’s event underscored the continued growth of junior chess in Guyana, evidenced by the encouraging turnout of young players eager to test their skills.

The 2025 National Under-12 Chess Championship is a true testament to the dedication and talent of young Guyanese chess players, and many are already looking forward to the next tournament.

In a solicited comment, the President of the Guyana Chess Federation, Anand Raghunauth remarked: “The U-12 serves as a significant entry point into competitive chess for young players. It offers an excellent opportunity for parents to recognise their children’s potential and for chess coaches to identify new talent. The tournament contributes to the overall development of both the young players and the sport of chess as a whole.”

The competition was overseen by Chief Arbiter, John Lee who was assisted by Jessica Callender, Kim Shing Chong, Ricardo Narine, Odit Rodrigues, Italy Ton- Chung, Ethan Lee, Oluwadare Oyeyipo and Kishan Puran.

The Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) expresses its sincere gratitude to DeSinco Trading for its generous support through the Moo Milk brand, which made this event possible.

The GCF also thanks the Guyana Pegasus Hotel for graciously hosting the tournament at its unique venue.

The GCF also congratulates all the young participants for their incredible display of skill and strategic ability.

For more information on GCF and upcoming events, visit guyanachess.gy or follow them on social media for updates.

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Press Release from the Guyana Football Federation

On behalf of the entire football fraternity, I extend heartfelt congratulations to His Excellency, President Dr. Irfaan Ali, and the Honourable Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson, on their unwavering commitment and remarkable leadership in advancing sports in Guyana.

We commend President Ali for his clarity of vision regarding the transformative power of sports in uniting our diverse peoples and communities.

His Excellency’s steadfast dedication to fostering national cohesion through sports is truly inspiring and has set a strong foundation for a brighter future.

Furthermore, we wish to acknowledge and congratulate His Excellency for the steady and unprecedented investment in sports across the nation.

This commitment is already yielding encouraging signs of success, as evidenced by the marked improvements in various sporting disciplines.

The ongoing progress stands as a testament to the intended return on these strategic investments, bringing renewed hope and opportunities to athletes and communities alike.

While the development of physical sporting infrastructure across Guyana remains a work in progress, the numerous projects currently underway clearly indicate that we are moving in the right direction.

The tireless efforts being put into enhancing facilities nationwide reflect a long-term vision that will undoubtedly benefit generations to come.

The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) is proud to support and contribute to this transformative agenda.

We remain committed to playing our part through the ongoing construction of the National Training Centre (NTC) and the Blue Water Shipping Stadium, alongside various community projects planned for this year.

These initiatives align with our shared vision of creating a dynamic and inclusive sporting environment that fosters excellence and growth.

Once again, congratulations to President Ali and Minister Ramson on their extraordinary leadership and dedication to the advancement of sports in Guyana.

We look forward to continued collaboration in building a stronger, more united sporting community and country- Stronger Together.

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For the third year in succession Saints Hockey Club (SHC) travelled to Trinidad and Tobago to compete in the Ventures Hockey Club International Indoor Tournament, from January 9-12, 2025.

Having competed for the first time on foreign soil in 2024, the SHC women’s team, which included six teenagers, showed remarkable improvement.

Despite losing their first match to TT Police Service 1-3, the Saints women dominated the second half, but were unable to convert their opportunities.

They bounced back in their next match to put away UWI Lions 3-0, but their most notable performance was against the tournament’s eventual winners, Paragon in their final group match.

The Saints women played phenomenal, fast paced hockey against a side littered with senior national players, losing by the narrowest of margins 1-2.

St. Stanislaus College forth former Makaylah Poole was SHC’s outstanding performer, scoring four of her team’s five goals.

From left (standing): Yedede Uzzi (Manager), Oshazay Savory, Tahrea Garnett, Baraka Garnett, Jabari Lovell, Raoul Whittaker, Troy Hodge, Tivesarid Garnett, Shomere Garnett, Shakeem Fausette, Javid Hussain and Robert Fernandes (Coach)

It was the Saints men however, who were the talk of the tournament, after they topped their group on goal difference with wins against UWI Lions 7-0, Fatima 4-1 and TT Defence Force 4-1. Their only group stage loss come at the hands of Malvern 0-1.

The Saints men then defeated TT Police Service 4-3 in the semi-final to set up a rematch with TT Defence Force (TTDF) in the final.

Things seemed to be going the way of their first match in the early exchanges, with the SHC defence standing firm against the high energy attacks of TTDF.

The difference this time was that the SHC counter attacks and penalty corners they created, were smothered by the TTDF goalkeeper.

The first half ended 0-0. SHC had numerous goal scoring opportunities in the second half, but time and time again the TTDF Goalkeeper was up to the challenge.

Near the end of the second half a bit of individual brilliance by the TTDF forward Caleb Guiseppi slipped the ball under the SHC advancing goalkeeper to take the 1-0 lead, which they would hold till the end.

SHC’s Baraka Garnett was the club’s top scorer with five goals and Oshazay Savory received the best defender award of the tournament.

In an invited comment head coach of SHC Robert Fernandes said, “I thought the women showed remarkable improvement compared to last year, they were competitive in every match despite being the youngest team here, all credit goes to their coach Tivesarid Garnett, who is proving to be one of the most outstanding young coaches in Guyana.

“The boys displayed exceptional discipline in defence and it reflected in the stats, aside from the semifinal match, they conceded less than a goal a match throughout the tournament. With that type of defence they’ll be competitive in every match as they showed. I was disappointed that we didn’t convert our opportunities in the final because we did create enough to win. We will have to regroup and work on our finishing for next year, but all in all both teams showed improvement over last year’s performance.”

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Police have arrested a 46-year-old man following the discovery of a backpack containing 371 grammes of cannabis at the Stabroek market tarmac, Georgetown.

The discovery was made during a raid late Tuesday night.

According to a Police report, an operation was conducted during which a man, carrying a black backpack, attempted to flee the scene.

He was quickly intercepted by the ranks.

A search was conducted in the backpack and the cannabis was found. The suspect was cautioned and Police said he responded, “man officer, see with me na.”

He was arrested and remains in custody pending further investigations.

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