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By Telesha Ramnarine

President of the Guyana Marketing and Services Association (GMSA), Ramsey Ali has highlighted the critical role that quality electricity will play in the manufacturing sector’s continued growth and success in Guyana.

He was speaking at the opening of the inaugural International Business Conference (IBC), a major event focused on fostering global business connections.

Held at the Guyana Marriott Hotel, the event was a vibrant gathering of international investors and businesses, many of whom were exploring the opportunities in Guyana for the first time.

Ali, who is also the Chief Executive Officer of Sterling Products Limited, praised the significant reduction in electricity costs, by a promised 50 per cent, by next year. He noted that a 50 per cent drop in energy prices is a positive development for the manufacturing industry.

However, he emphasized that the quality of energy supply is equally crucial to ensuring the sector’s sustained progress.

“Most manufacturing companies operate with very sensitive equipment and unfortunately for us over the years, the power company was not able to supply us with the kind of quality energy we need in this country,” Ali said.

He expressed optimism about recent efforts to enhance the energy grid, which will help to support manufacturers who are considering expanding their operations in Guyana.

“There’s been a lot of investment in improving the grid,” Ali added.

“We’re seeing progress, and this gives manufacturers confidence to bring their high-tech equipment to Guyana.”

Nearly half of this year’s speakers at the IBC are from international markets, bringing fresh perspectives and expertise to the event. (Photo: IBC Facebook page)

This year’s IBC has attracted nearly half of its speakers from international markets, showcasing the growing interest in Guyana as a hub for business.

With a focus on sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, infrastructure, energy, finance, logistics, and business services, the conference will feature 17 engaging sessions, 30 diverse exhibitors, and more than 600 delegates, with over 1,000 trade visitors expected to attend.

Vishnu Doerga, Organiser and Chairman of ActionINVEST Caribbean Inc., highlighted the global nature of the event, stating, “We look at this mix of expertise that is coming to Guyana that will present what is happening in both countries, but also some of the opportunities and technologies that can be brought to bear in these two countries.”

The IBC is designed to foster cross-border collaborations and investment opportunities, aiming to enhance the ease of doing business and strengthen partnerships between international firms and local businesses in Guyana and Suriname.

The post With lower electricity costs on the horizon, manufacturing sector urges focus on energy quality appeared first on News Room Guyana.

Guyana’s business sector is experiencing significant growth, largely driven by an increase in local consumption, which is providing new opportunities for manufacturers.

The rising demand for goods is helping to expand the manufacturing industry, according to Ramsay Ali, President of the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA).

Ali, who also serves as the President of the Caribbean Manufacturers Association (CMA) was speaking at the opening of the inaugural International Business Conference on Tuesday evening at the Marriott Hotel, Kingston, Georgetown.

Ali pointed out that as the local population continues to grow, with both locals and foreigners alike, and incomes rise, there is a noticeable increase in consumer spending.

This has resulted in higher demand for locally produced goods, benefiting businesses across various sectors – from food production to construction materials.

“Guyana has seen a significant increase in its population, and with that, more people are consuming more products.

“This has created a boom for local manufacturers as the market for domestic goods expands,” Ali reasoned.

The increase in local consumption is not only helping large manufacturers but also smaller businesses.

With more people buying products, there are more opportunities for companies of all sizes to grow and meet the demand.

Ali noted that this surge in demand is a positive development, but it also brings with it challenges, especially in terms of labour.

Ali highlighted that the shortage of skilled and semi-skilled workers is becoming a major concern for businesses looking to expand.

As demand for goods increases, many companies are struggling to find the workforce they need to meet production targets.

“What’s the biggest challenge for businesses today? It’s labour.

“We need more skilled workers to keep up with the growing demand,” Ali said.

The labour shortage is being felt across the manufacturing sector, with many companies reporting difficulties in filling key roles.

Some businesses have been forced to slow down production or delay expansion plans due to the lack of available workers.

Ali pointed out that the issue is not just about the number of workers but the quality of skills available.

Many workers are not trained for the specific needs of the manufacturing industry, which requires a higher level of technical expertise.

Ali urged for greater investment in training and education to help bridge this gap and ensure that the local workforce can meet the demands of the growing economy. Without a properly trained workforce, Guyana risks losing momentum in its manufacturing sector and overall economic growth.

“The future of our manufacturing sector depends on addressing the labour shortage,” he said.

 

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Please see full statement from EPA:

On October 10, 2024, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) received a report from Crane Village, West Coast Demerara, regarding a substance seeping from the ground.

In response, the EPA’s Emergency Response Unit promptly mobilized to the site to conduct an initial investigation. The Agency is currently collaborating with the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), GUYSUCO, and the Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Control Board (PTCCB) to identify the cause and nature of the seepage.

The EPA urges residents, particularly those in the immediate vicinity, to remain calm and exercise patience as the investigation proceeds. Affected residents are advised to avoid the impacted areas within their homes for their safety.

Additionally, the Agency has engaged ExxonMobil Guyana Limited, and they will be investigating as part of their grievance mechanism.

The post EPA says investigating seepage incidents in Crane, West Coast Demerara appeared first on News Room Guyana.

The Carnegie School of Home Economics, established in Georgetown in 1933, has made significant contributions to the field of home economics and hospitality in the region. Among its many initiatives, its Hibiscus Training Restaurant equips students with the comprehensive skills necessary to be successful in the culinary and hospitality industry.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the restaurant, located in Carnegie, at High Street, Georgetown had closed its doors, but re-opened last September 19. It is open to the public from 12 to 14:30 hours, Tuesday to Friday.

The Principal, Dr Sharmaine Marshall, told the News Room on Tuesday that this represents the school’s commitment to providing students with real-world experiences, thereby bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application.

Principal, Dr Sharmaine Marshall

“We have labs where students apply the techniques and food preparation presentation skills that were leant in the classroom. This hands-on experience is invaluable for students for fostering the confidence they need in a professional kitchen environment,” Marshall said.

The school is funded by the Ministry of Education even as revenue is generated from sales. Menus are focused on developing the skills that the students learnt in the classroom so that whatever techniques are in the curriculum are emphasised through production.

“What we focus on is a wide base of dishes that incorporate those techniques or even integrate new ones so when the students go out there, they are well equipped for the culinary or hospitality industry.”

Another critical objective of the restaurant is to promote the appreciation and incorporation of local cuisine and ingredients, thereby supporting local farmers and producers. This not only contributes to the local economy but also encourages students to explore and innovate within the realm of Guyanese and Caribbean cuisine, preserving culinary heritage.

The training restaurant aims to instil a deep understanding of restaurant management, including operational aspects such as inventory management, customer service, and financial management. By managing the day-to-day operations of the restaurant, students gain a first-hand understanding of what it takes to run a successful food service establishment.

“When you support our restaurant, you are supporting local skill development. You are supporting a worthy cause. So come down to Carnegie, where you’re sure to enjoy a delectable array of meals that are locally prepared and of a wide variety of skills showcased in our culinary arts,” Marshall appealed.

The post Carnegie re-opens Hibiscus Training Restaurant appeared first on News Room Guyana.

School welfare officers and counsellors attached to the Ministry of Education Monday began a two-day special training on the use of restorative justice in schools, which could essentially replace corporal punishment and other archaic and old-school methods of administering discipline.

Restorative practices have been used in schools globally as an alternative to corporal punishment and suspensions within the school system. It is being described as the modern, holistic way of dealing with issues of wrongdoing. And while not an end-all to the disciplinary measures in place, it is intended to serve as more of a complementary measure for now.

The training of the officers, who are representing schools in Georgetown and along the East Coast Demerara, is being conducted at the Guyana Police Force Training Centre, in Georgetown.

Senior Welfare Officer in the Ministry of Education Cornella Leitch said the training should widen the scope of thinking for the officers and help to expand their knowledge on how to deal with certain behaviours.

“The goal of restorative practice is to help people understand their actions and how their actions impacted others, and what they can do in correcting their actions,” Leitch said.

She added: “We no longer want corporal punishment – the cane, the bamboo, the ruler – to beat the children. Let us learn new techniques … Let us improve what is being done at the Ministry of Education.”

Director of the Restorative Justice Centre, William Boston, shared that restorative practices give far more remedial results as they relate to amicable resolutions, rehabilitation, and reintegration, as opposed to the old-fashioned ways of administering discipline, which he pointed out do not always bring the best results.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Legal Affairs, Adele Clarke, informed the participants that the overall objective is to address two problems facing the criminal justice system, which are to reduce the overreliance on custodial sentences and to reduce the overuse of pretrial detention for minor offenses.

According to her, the system will be expanded to all 10 administrative regions with a restorative officer being present wherever there is a probation office.

“You will discover that a system for restorative justice not only seeks reconciliation between the victim and the offender but it also holds the offender accountable which can be a catalyst for behaviour change.”

The Restorative Justice Centre was established in 2023 as a result of a partnership between the Government of Guyana through the Ministry of Legal Affairs and the Inter-American Development Bank which resulted in the Support for the Criminal Justice System Programme.

This programme saw the passing of the Restorative Justice Act 2022.

After the training, participants should be able to define and clarify the principles of restorative justice, differentiate between restorative practice and justice, explain the importance of social discipline, and conduct restorative practice sessions with offenders and the offended using circles.

The post ‘We no longer want corporal punishment…to beat the children’ appeared first on News Room Guyana.

The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Select XI stunned Essequibo by four wickets in Round Two of the GCB Senior Inter-County 50-over Championship at the Lusignan ground on Tuesday.

The Select XI successfully chased down a target of 170 with four overs to spare with former national youth player Carlos LaRose anchoring the chase with 28 not out off 44 balls (5x4s).

LaRose kept his composure to steer his side to victory after the game was seemingly in the balance at 114-5 in the 33^rd over.

LaRose forged a sixth-wicket partnership of 31 with Kwesi Mickle and an unbroken stand of 26 with Aryan Persaud (six not out) to see his team over the line.

Skipper Jonathan Rampersaud made 32 off 37 (2x4s, 1×6), opener Navindra Persaud 26 off 62 (3x4s), Mickle 19 off 24 (1×4, 1×6) and Jonathan Van Lange 18 off 32 (1×6) in a total team effort, as Ricardo Adams took two wickets.

National youth player Golcharran Chulai was outstanding with the ball for the Select XI

Earlier, Essequibo, who defeated Berbice in the first round at the Pomona ground, slipped from 59-2 to be bowled out for 169 in the 46^th over.

National player Kemol Savory topscored with 51 off 109 (2x4s), Kevon Boodie made 26 off 24 (2x4s, 2x6s) and Ricardo Adams 24 off 18 (1×4, 2x6s).

Bowling for the Select XI, Golcharran Chulai took 3-45, while there were two wickets each for Rampersaud, Persaud and Mickle.

In the other second round game, Demerara defeated Berbice by seven wickets at the GCC ground, Bourda.

SUMMARY: Berbice 129 all out from 40 overs (Junior Sinclair 37, Tomani Caesar 24*; Devon Lord 4-28, Akshaya Persaud 2-19, Banerd Bailey 2-25, Ronaldo Alimohamed 2-35) vs Demerara 130-3 from 28 overs (Tagenarine Chanderpaul 63*, Matthew Nandu 44; Clinton Pestano 1-14, Junior Sinclair 1-14)

Third round action is slated for Thursday (October 17) with Demerara against Essequibo at GCC and Berbice against the Select XI at Lusignan.

The top two teams will clash in the final on Saturday (October 19) at GCC.

All games will start at 09:30h.

The post Select XI defeat Essequibo in low-scoring Inter-County fixture appeared first on News Room Guyana.

Years after it was destroyed in a fire, a new North West Secondary school was on Monday commissioned in Region One with a new culture allowing students to explore more opportunities to be qualified in technical areas.

“By 2030,  for all the major centers in the hinterland communities, we want state-of-the art practical instruction centers and technical institutions that will give you world-class certification from right here in your communities

“So if you are a welder, you must be able to get the highest qualification in welding. If you are an electrical technician, you must you must get highest certificate. That is the vision that we are bringing. And every one of you will be fully absorbed in this economy,” President Dr Irfaan Ali said on Monday.

President Dr Irfaan Ali and Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand on Monday commissioned the new North West Secondary School (Photo: Office of the President/ October 14, 2024)

In delivering the feature address at the commissioning ceremony, Dr Ali said through investments in digital education, every child will soon be able to benefit from the highest quality of education.

“Education is very complex. Education is integrated in every aspect of national life.

“So we are building this infrastructure for all of CARICOM,” President Ali said.

From 2020 to date, President Ali noted that the government has invested $7 billion to enhance the education sector in Region One. This includes the distribution of school cash grants and the breakfast programme.

President Dr Irfaan Ali tours the North West Secondary school Practical Instruction Department (Photo: News Room/ October 14, 2024)

“For every single child in this country, the government is investing $700,000 per child annually.

“This is not a gift to you….this is what you deserve for you hard work,” Dr Ali said.

The new North West Secondary school was rebuilt to the tune of $346 million dollars.

The previous structure was destroyed on September 24, 2021, displacing hundreds of students and placing a strain of the region’s education sector.

The school has the capacity to house some 574 students. Its amenities include 23 classrooms, 3 laboratories, 2 elevators, a staff room, 4 canteens and a sick bay. The building was also constructed to include fire safety mechanisms including 11 fire alarms and several fire extinguishers.

It also includes a practical instruction department, which, according to Minister of Education Priya Manickchand is better equipped than any other currently in the country.

And so add a new culture to the almost 60 year-old school, Chief Education Office, Saddam Hussain said students will be allowed to choose from a variety of educational pathways at an early stage including the introduction of the Carribbean Certificate of Secondary Level Competence Programme which is expected to be rolled out in January 2025.

One of the classrooms (Photo: News Room/ October 14, 2024)

“So what will happen is this: students in Grade 7 and 8 will be doing the CCSLC (Caribbean Certificate of Secondary Level Competence) programme, a new programme being offered by the Minsitry of Education through the Caribbean Examination Council.

“This school comes with a well-equipped practical instruction center. What that means is that when your children enter Grade 9, they have a choice. They could do the traditional CSEC subjects and go on and write CSEC and get their 5 subjects or they can take the pathway called CVQ- the Carribbean vocational qualification,” Hussain explained on Monday.

The school is equipped through the Technical Industrial center to offer training in five areas: motor vehicle repairs, commercial food preparation, data processing, general office administration and electrical installation.

The aim, Saddam said is to offer opportunities that will offer qualifications that are not only accepted in Guyana but across the Caribbean.

“You want for your children the same thing I want for mine…that they have a better life that we had,” Manickchand said.

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