More Guyanese need cybersecurity, AI training – PM
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Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips believes that more Guyanese should be trained in cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to help protect themselves and the country from emerging threats.
The Prime Minister, who is performing the duties of President, spoke at a technology conference sponsored by DynamIQ on Thursday.
“We must prioritise education and skill training in the fields of cybersecurity and AI so that our people are not only consumers of technology but also creators and innovators in this space,” the Prime Minister posited.
The conference was organised by the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) in collaboration with the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI). It was held at the Pegasus Hotel, Corporate Suites in Kingston, Georgetown.
The Prime Minister said such conferences are crucial because they facilitate much-needed discussions on new developments. In this case, he said the focus on technological advancements and the need for cybersecurity solutions are of national importance.
And he told the gathering that the government is focused on technological developments locally but it is not unaware of the need to beef up cybersecurity to protect against threats to privacy, economic stability, and national security.
Other stakeholders agreed that there should be a much greater focus on cybersecurity in Guyana.
DynamIQ Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Akiel Ghany contended that cybersecurity solutions should not be an afterthought. Rather, he said, these solutions should be an integral part of any organisation’s work.
And he believes that DynamIQ, a new joint venture between ENet, Guyana’s only locally-owned telecommunications provider, and Memory Bank Computers, is a company capable of providing the solutions needed.
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Guyana to Exhibit at America’s Food and Beverage Show & Conference 2024
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A range of products from Guyana will be on display at the 27th America’s Food and Beverage Show and Conference 2024, to be held at the Miami Beach Convention Center, September 16-18, 2024. This is the first time Guyana will participate as an exhibitor in this show, which is slated to attract some 900 exhibitors and 20 country pavilions.
This event is put on by the World Trade Center Miami which earlier this year signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with World Trade Center Georgetown, Guyana for collaboration in trade expansion through provisions for enhanced product visibility, easier market access and the exchange of trade missions.
Guyana’s participation in this event is made possible through the newly established World Trade Center, Georgetown, which is facilitating the exhibits of products from five (5) local export ready companies. Exhibits of DDL’s range of internationally acclaimed El Dorado rums and its Tropical Orchard Products Co. (TOPCO) fruit juices, along with packaged seasonings from Roy’s Extra Quality Products, different types of sauces from Umami, and a variety of BBQ sauces from SS Natural Fruit Flavored Inc., will be on display.
This business-to-business show and conference is expected to have 7,300 attendees from 93 countries and will provide a unique opportunity for manufacturers and buyers to get together in fulfillment of their shared objectives.
Guyana On A Mission
Ivan Barrios, president and chief executive officer of WTC Miami says he is pleased Guyana will be featured among some 900 exhibitors from 20 countries from five continents.
President of the Guyana Manufacturers and Services Association (GMSA) Ramsay Ali says Guyana’s exhibiting in the show and conference, demonstrates that the participating companies are fully export ready and well prepared to enter international markets.
On behalf of the Guyana Manufacturing & Services Association (GMSA), I would like to express our deepest appreciation to Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) World Trade Centre Georgetown for the opportunity to have products from three of our members —Umami Inc., S. S. Natural Fruit Flavor Inc., and Roy’s Extra Quality Products— showcased at the 2024 Americas Food & Beverage Show & Conference in Miami this month.
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Upcoming IBC promises to bring together business owners, investors
-business start-up, supply sourcing ideas to be shared
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CATAPULTING businesses to a new level, the upcoming International Business Conference (IBC) promises to be the ideal platform to pair up local businesses and investors.
This is according to the Guyana Manufacturing & Services Association (GMSA), Executive Director Nizam Hassan, who, in a recent interview with the Guyana Chronicle shared that the GMSA is collaborating with the Suriname-Guyana Chamber of Commerce (SGCC) to host an International Business Conference focused on investment opportunities and manufacturing in Guyana.
“The conference aims to address challenges and promote collaboration, particularly in energy-efficient manufacturing to position Guyana as a Caribbean manufacturing hub. It will also provide information on setting up businesses, networking opportunities, and supply sourcing within the Caribbean Community (CARICOM),” Hassan said.
He pointed out that the conference’s agenda has been strategically crafted to ensure that businesses, especially those within the manufacturing sector in the region can access investment opportunities both locally and internationally.
Business owners and investors alike will have access to key information all in one space.
“It’s sort of like to shorten the learning curve in a new marketplace,” Hassan said.
He further urged local manufacturers to participate in the upcoming conference, pointing out the opportunity to share with international partners the expansive prospects that exist for investments.
“We’re pushing to position Guyana as the manufacturing destination for the Caribbean, especially with energy costs projected to be lower than what they currently are. And energy being one of the major contributors in any manufacturing process, in terms of the cost structure, the cost of energy plays an important part in any business taking the decision to go into manufacturing in Guyana,” he said, adding: “Guyana is just moving. There are always business opportunities daily that are mushrooming, and those that have gone past mushroom and growing into plants and are growing bigger into trees.”
The conference, he reiterated, will provide information on all that is required, from initially setting up a business in Guyana, whether it is an enterprise or limited liability company, who are the agencies, or what are the agencies that need to be contacted.
He stressed that there will be stakeholders and speakers at the conference who will guide, listen and respond to queries.
“Sometimes there’s going to be challenges that as a business progress they will experience, but those challenges will be discussed and solutions will be preferred…for policy makers, for businesses, for business support organisations to support government agencies to implement, to reduce those challenges, if not eliminate them. So, it is the conference in which delegates will have that information all at once, well over three days.”
IBC is slated to be held at the Marriott Hotel from October 15 to 17. It has been said that the IBC will focus on streamlining the ease of doing business and facilitating investments between international businesses and Guyana and Suriname in key sectors including, energy, infrastructure, finance, logistics, agriculture, and business support services.
The IBC is expecting over 100 speakers, and more than 500 delegates, with in excess of 15 conference sessions.
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Gas-to-Energy project will be a game changer for manufacturing sector- GMSA Head
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Guyana’s manufacturing sector is set to experience significant benefits from the Gas-to-Energy (GTE) project which promises to produce electricity at a lower cost. Ramsay Ali, Head of the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA), expressed this sentiment during a recent episode of the Energy Perspectives Podcast.
The Government of Guyana’s ambitious GTE project will be located at Wales, West Bank Demerara. The project entails bringing approximately 50 million cubic feet of gas from ExxonMobil’s Stabroek Block to two onshore facilities: the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) facility and a 300-megawatt power plant. President Irfaan Ali led-administration has repeatedly touted the power plant as one that will slash electricity bills for citizens by 50%.
GMSA’s Head who shares similar views explained that energy costs are often on par with labour expenses for most local companies. He noted that when the GTE project becomes operational, there will be a significant reduction in energy costs for manufacturers in Guyana, making them more competitive.
“Also, if you were to look at say the top 10 manufacturing companies in Guyana…none of us are on the grid; we are all generating from our own suppliers, possibly using generators,” GMSA Head stated. He added, “That itself tells you a story; one, it’s the reliability of power and of course the cost of energy.”
Ali explained that the government’s investment in the GTE project would be a major game changer, not only by reducing the cost of electricity but also by having several positive implications.
“So, let’s start at the top, so most of us in this in this country, are manufacturers here. One of the reasons why we are not so competitive in the export market is the cost of production and one of the reasons why is the cost of energy that has been the story of our lives,” Ali said.
He explained that manufacturers struggle because profit margins are small.
The GMSA Head noted that Trinidad and Tobago companies have always had an edge over Guyanese manufacturers due to their lower energy costs, which are only a third of Guyana’s.
“We do it because we want to expand our business but really and truly, [we] don’t make a significant profit and it’s simply because of the cost of production,” Ali stated. He underscored that a reduction in energy costs and access to high-quality energy would significantly boost Guyanese companies’ export capabilities.
Moreover, smaller manufacturers would also see a reduction in costs. Over the years, the agro-processing business has increased, with most businesses using modern equipment. “They had to lift their game, because there’s no way you could put ketchup in a bottle put a paper label on it. Nobody don’t buy that anymore,” he noted.
Under the GMSA umbrella, there are about 120 small-scale agro-processors. Ali mentioned that most of them state that one of their biggest costs is energy. “So I’m even more excited for the with this project than for larger companies…if they can see a 30% reduction in their cost, that’s going to be amazing,” the GMSA Head stated.
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Heavy focus on manufacturing as International Business Conference set for October
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The inaugural International Business Conference (IBC) will be held in Guyana from October 15 to 17 and in its first year, there will be a huge focus on pushing Guyana’s manufacturing sector.
The conference will be co-hosted by the Suriname- Guyana Chamber of Commerce (SGCC) and the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA). It was launched on Saturday at the Marriott Hotel, Kingston; the conference will also be held here.
SGCC Chairman, Vishnu Doerga emphasised that the conference is one that will be useful to the entire business community not just those in Guyana and Suriname.
And there is a huge focus on the manufacturing sector because of the opportunities available in Guyana.
Doerga pointed out that there are abundant primary products in Guyana and with cheaper electricity coming soon, the manufacturing sector is poised for a huge takeoff. As such, an opportunity to attract more international partners was recognised and is being pursued through the IBC.
He also noted that private sector players, including those from the SGCC, are keen on exploring other opportunities in real estate, infrastructure, mining, industrial services and tourism.
Because the conference organisers are focused on being as practical and beneficial to businesses and investors as possible, the SGCC Chairman said the entire conference is tailored towards connecting foreign investors with local businesses, business service organisations and other stakeholders.
He added, “We want the content presented at the conference to be for the purpose of educating the delegates on how they can do better business in Guyana.”
Guyana’s President Dr. Irfaan Ali is among the speakers for the event.
Doerga, however, noted that there will be a heavy focus on networking and business to business (B2B) activities.
GMSA President, Ramsay Ali told those gathered at Saturday’s launch that Guyana can become the “primary destination for manufacturing” in the Caribbean.
“It is crucial that we harness the momentum to foster partnerships,” Ali posited.
The IBC has the support of the Government of Guyana and there are numerous partnerships with various foreign delegations and Chambers of Commerce in Guyana.
Head of the Guyana Office for Investment, Peter Ramsaroop charged the organisers of the conference to “figure out how to close deals” at the IBC in October. For him, there have been many conferences already showing the interest in Guyana, and investing in Guyana, so there must be a greater focus now on getting business done.
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Press Release: GMSA Elects New Board of Directors for 2024/2025
Georgetown, Guyana, May 2, 2024: The Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) is delighted to announce the successful election of its new Board of Directors for the term 2024/2025. The association’s Annual General Meeting (AGM), conducted in two parts, saw the re-election of the incumbent President and the appointment of key leadership positions within the organization. On April 18, 2024, thirteen board directors were elected through an electronic voting process by members who attended in-person. On May 2, 2024, the President, three Vice-Presidents and Treasurer were elected. The remaining members were elected to form the Board of Directors inclusive of Chairpersons of the various Sub-Sectors.
Ramsay Ali, Chief Executive Officer of Sterling Products Limited, was re-elected unopposed as President of the Association. He will be supported by Roseann Bulkan, Showroom Manager of Bulkan Timber Works Inc. as First Vice President, Vasudeo Singh, Group Finance Director & Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Demerara Distillers Ltd. as Second Vice President and Treasurer and Rafeek Khan, Managing Director of Durable Wood Products Inc. as Third Vice President. The diverse expertise and perspectives of the newly elected directors promise a vibrant and inclusive governance framework for the upcoming year.
Mr. Ali’s professional career began in 1988 with a background in sales and marketing. Over the years he has worked with entities such as Colgate Palmolive, Banks DIH Ltd., and then to Sterling Products Limited. Mr. Ali has given of his time in helping not for profit organizations such as the Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association where he also serves as Chairman and Georgetown Cricket Club and the Scouts Association of Guyana where he is the Vice President. For years, Mr. Ali has made invaluable contributions to the GMSA where he aggressively pushes for success and development in the manufacturing sector. He is the brainchild of the GMSA’s UncappeD Marketplace and continues to support small and micro enterprises in their development, marketing and other pertinent areas.
The 2024/2025 Board Members are as follows: –
- Sterling Products Ltd. – Ramsay Ali, President of GMSA
- Bulkan Timber Works Inc. – Roseann Bulkan – First Vice President & Chairperson of the Extractive Industries Sub-Sector
- Demerara Distillers Ltd.– Vasudeo Singh, Second Vice-President & Treasurer
- Durable Wood Products Inc. – Rafeek Khan, Third Vice-President
- Khayr Organics – Earlecia Hieronymo, Chairperson of the Agro-Processing Sub-Sector
- Corriea & Corriea Ltd. – Dr. Marie Correia, Chairperson of the Construction & Engineering Sub-Sector
- Rid-O-Pes Inc. – Timothy Tucker, Chairman of the Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals Sub-Sector
- Keen360 Inc. – Zahid Khan, Chairman of the Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) Sub-Sector
- Environmental Management Consultants – Malisa Nokta, Chairperson of Services Sub-Sector
- DENMOR Garment Manufacturers Inc. – Upasna Mudlier, Chairman of Textiles & Sewn Goods Sub-Sector
- Banks DIH Ltd.– David Carto, Chairman of the Trade, Investment & Legal Committee & Board Member
- Edward B. Beharry & Company Ltd.– Raymond Ramsaroop, Board Member
- UMAMI Inc. – Chris Persaud, Board Member
- Barama Company Ltd.– Mohindra Chand, Board Member
- ActionINVEST Caribbean Inc. – Dr. Vishnu Doerga, Board Member
- National Milling Company of Guyana (NAMILCO) – Vishal Lalbachan, Board Member
- Kanoo (Guyana) Inc. – Chet Bowling, Board Member
- Brass Aluminium & Cast Iron Foundry (B.A.C.I.F) – Peter Pompey, Board Member
The new Board of Directors is poised to build upon past achievements and set a strategic direction for continued excellence in serving the interests of Guyana’s manufacturing and services sectors.
-END-
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GMSA calls for tax-free overtime work
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The Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) wants overtime work to be tax-free along with the removal of property tax and VAT on locally-produced products among other measures to “create a robust foundation for economic growth”.
These measures were proposed to the Government during consultations on the 2024 National Budget and included in the Association’s 2023 Annual Report compiled under the theme “Expanding Trade Horizons Together”.
In arguing for overtime work to be tax-free, the GMSA said: “This can serve as an incentive to employees to support extended work hours per day”, adding that the current severe shortage of skills and manpower affects productivity and project delivery.
Given the current global supply chain crisis, its impact on freight charges and the uncertainty of its longevity, the GMSA noted that measures need to be implemented to cushion the effects on Guyanese businesses and consumers.
To limit shortages and restrain inflationary pressures, it proposed duty be charged only on the Cost Price for items and not on the cost of insurance and Freight (CIF).
To facilitate a more-enabling business environment, it proposes the removal of property tax, noting that “property tax is a wealth tax and ought to be removed too, it is also counter-intuitive to the Governments Housing Drive”. The Government has successfully allocated close to 50,000 house lots across the country since assuming office in 2020.
The business association has been a driver of promoting the use of local products across all sub-sectors. As such, it is calling for the removal of VAT on locally-manufactured products and enforcement of legislation to deter local agents from charging VAT on those products to encourage local consumption.
Other proposals call for the removal of VAT on data purchases and packaging materials, and a reduction of VAT to eight per cent for locally-manufactured engineering products. It is also recommended that the VAT reimbursement system be upgraded to be more efficient.
GMSA also proposed the removal of VAT on the restocking fee for goods returned, the service charge placed on repairs and servicing of items already purchased, and on inputs for the textile and sewn goods subsectors.
Further, local foods such as chowmein, Chinese sauce, green seasoning, pepper sauce and prepared mustard must be zero-rated, the GMSA noted. The body also calls for medical equipment, consumables and reagents (lab supplies) to be zero-rated without seeking approval from the Commissioner General of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) while adding the duty on these should also be removed.
Other measures proposed to the Government were a reduction of Corporation and Income Tax by five per cent, a reduction for companies that meet the “Guyanese Company” standard set in the local content legislation, removal of Stamp Duty completely on receipts/invoices, removal of VAT on testing equipment and reversion to a single tax rate for businesses that have both a manufacturing and trading section. It also proposed a reduction of tax on the importation of new vehicles between 1500cc and 2000cc to the equivalent of the current flat rate of used vehicles and the removal of the VAT.
“This encourages the creation of rental businesses and concierge services that need modern vehicles. Guyanese would also benefit from cleaner, safer vehicles that require less maintenance,” the GMSA said.
Currently, the double-cab and wagon-type 4×4 off-road vehicles are classified as luxury increasing the associated taxes for users of these vehicles.
The GMSA in this regard asked the Government to re-classify these vehicles to utility vehicles and exempt them from Excise Tax and Duty, since they “are a necessity for the survival of many businesses, especially natural resources and construction”.
Consultations were conducted with Government agencies; Private Sector bodies; Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and others ahead of the budget presentations. The 2024 National Budget was presented on January 15 to the tune of $1.146 trillion.
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