Latest update April 24th, 2024 12:59 AM
May 19, 2014 News
– Minister Ali
“The time has come to develop an integrated Maritime Plan and the Government (of Guyana) has a major responsibility to ensure the facilities are there.” This was the thrust of the remarks made by Minister of Tourism, Industry & Commerce, Irfaan Ali at the Shipping Association’s (SAG) Awards Presentation event held earlier this month. The annual presentation took place at the Pegasus Hotel to tangibly recognise the immense contributions of outstanding maritime industry operatives.
“The dredging of Port facilities and the dredging of the Demerara Bar (navigational channel) are just a few of the fundamental issues that must be addressed. It is becoming an important aspect of Government’s agenda,” the Minister reiterated, adding that it speaks directly to a noticeable increase in incoming and outgoing trade.
The Minister disclosed that he had recently attended a meeting of Heads of Government in CARICOM and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) at which the movement of goods in the region was a key agenda item. Even before this meeting, he said, this issue had become part of a three-pronged competitiveness programme that involves developing a Public/Private (sector) Partnership to develop Port Georgetown, facilitating foreign investment, and taking on board recommendations from maritime operators in Guyana.
“In the first quarter of 2014, the government would have liked to complete a road map in relation to the development of Port Georgetown,” he stated, but noted that this will be done in the shortest possible time, especially the dredging of the Channel and Port. He assured the Shipping Association and the guests who are all players in the local and regional maritime industry that shipping in all its permutations remains a top agenda item in the nation’s competitiveness strategy.
“We cannot improve the competitiveness of our manufactured products, or even bring down the prices for imported products if we do not address this issue,” he contended. It affects every stakeholder – consumers, importers, exporters of locally manufactured products, and operators across the shipping industry.
The Minister offered kudos to every person and organisation, particularly the SAG who have worked assiduously to “heighten the level of interest” in developing the Port through increased collaboration with the government. He gave the assurance that Government stands committed to developing the road map to chart the course forward for the shipping industry. The planned agenda, he said, is hinged on developing modern terminals along with the capacities of the related agencies.
A YEAR OF MEASURED SUCCESSES
The Minister’s remarks directly addressed the call made (once again) by the Shipping Association’s Chairman, Desmond Sears, who had earlier delivered a report on the SAG’s activities. The past year, he said, was a relatively measured one with mixed successes. The Association’s planned and spontaneous activities were executed with the valued support of the association’s members, some of whom received awards that evening.
The main role of the Shipping Association is to act as the liaison between operatives in the Shipping industry (including Maritime Transportation) and the Regulatory agencies such as the Ministry of Transport, the Maritime Administration Department and the Guyana Revenue Authority. The SAG is also mandated to actively represent the interests of its members at local, regional and international levels, ensuring the highest standards of maritime efficiency, and to facilitate speedy movement of imports and exports.
“We continue to strive to widen the scope of our focus to include related agencies since we believe in standing united in order to achieve the benefits for the good of our nation,” the Chairman stated.
The major activities undertaken by the SAG included advocacy for the modernization of the Demerara Harbour in the short term. The Harbour and the Demerara Navigational Channel were singled out for special attention since it is the hub of commercial shipping in Guyana, and it is where the largest wharves and terminals are located.
“Arising from a 2012 directive issued by Minister of Public Works, Robeson Benn, a Port Development Working Group was established and tasked with producing a proposal for upgrading the Georgetown Harbour,” the Association’s Chairman noted. After weeks of deliberations, a Concept Document was handed over to the Minister for consideration. It was agreed that capital dredging of the navigational channel was the most necessary element of the proposal and required urgent attention. “This has been placed at the top of our agenda going forward,” he reported.
The SAG’s executives also participated in strategic meetings with the Ambassador of the Republic of Mexico and with the Trade and Investment Officer in the British High Commission, the objectives of which were to garner their support and assistance for the port development drive. In addition, officials had substantial discussions with representatives of a prospective developer, DP World about their proposal to build a single container terminal at West Demerara. Members have been studying the proposal, and all agree that with a modern, upgraded Harbour, Guyana would be able to exploit new economic opportunities and be better positioned to participate in the lucrative cruise industry.
In addition, officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs sought the Association’s support for the completion of the draft National Drug Strategy Master Plan and “the SAG will do everything in our power to assist this process that has implications for Port Security,” Mr. Sears informed the gathering of terminal owners, importers and exporters, ship owners and agents.
He noted that the Association has been working with the Government to develop new national initiatives such as a Deep Water Port in the Berbice River, and two Container Terminals at Linden and Lethem. Both of these communities are expected to play key roles in the bilateral arrangements being negotiated with the governments of the Northern Brazilian states of Roraima, Boa Vista and Amazonia. The plan, which is already being negotiated, includes utilization of Guyana’s road networks to transport Brazilian produce to and through Port Georgetown.
The main role of the SAG is to act as the liaison among the commercial sector, the governmental oversight bodies and the local maritime industry. The association intends to continue pursuing the establishment of its own Demurrage Company with anticipated input from other Caribbean shipping organizations.
“The world and its technologies are advancing rapidly and with Guyana’s economic evolution at stake, it becomes imperative that we upgrade our facilities sooner rather than later in order to participate in this fast advancing maritime industry,” the SAG Chairman concluded.
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