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Brazil trade… Lethem Authority to be established
Government has announced plans to move ahead with the establishment
President Donald Ramotar interacts with Brazilian customers at a supermarket in the Lethem commercial zone
of a Lethem Authority to help develop trade with that Region Nine area which borders Brazil.
Over the weekend, President Donald Ramotar met with the Rupununi Chamber of Commerce and stressed that entrepreneurs in the district are in an advantageous position to benefit.
During a scheduled meeting with the stakeholders Saturday evening, President Ramotar said that Lethem is poised for rapid growth and development given its close proximity to Brazil. But with a keen eye on the development agenda, he said that regulation is an absolute prerequisite and that he plans to establish a Lethem Authority for this purpose.
The Authority will include representatives from Lethem, other parts of the Rupununi and Georgetown.
“The reasoning behind that is essentially because I think when people are living in an area sometimes they are so close that they don’t see what is taking place. On the other hand in this area you have developed a lot of local knowledge but when you bring fresh eyes from outside, technical and otherwise… that can go a far way,” President Ramotar said.
According to a government statement, Guyana intends to support the upgrades to
President Donald Ramotar interacting with the Rupununi Chamber of Commerce in the company of Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Irfaan Ali and Minister of Public Works Robeson Benn
the Lethem airstrip but local authorities must be cognizant that possibilities for extension are not impeded.
Major road works are also in the making as part of the overall plan to develop roads in the hinterland for the benefit of vehicles traversing the area on a daily basis with agriculture produce and commuters.
Given the heavy flow of traffic that has been evident in the Lethem and Rupununi areas since the opening of the bridge across the Takutu River linking Guyana and Brazil Road, upgrades to the infrastructure are of an even greater importance, the statement said.
During the opening of the Takutu Bridge, former President of Brazil Luis Inacio Lula da Silva had promised his Government’s support in the development of the Lethem to Linden road as they too recognize the significance of this infrastructure linkage.
As Guyana and Brazil broaden the scope of their bilateral relations, President Ramotar said the Guyana Government is looking to develop projects that will be of mutual benefit to the interest of both countries.
With Guyana’s natural waterways and the prediction by experts that Brazil will exhaust power by 2020, President Ramotar told the stakeholders that hydro power is one of the potential areas.
Members of the Rupununi Chamber sought to identify a few areas which they can make the vision a reality and they shared these prospects with President Ramotar.
President of the Chamber, Roger King, made reference to a proposed location which he said was brought to the attention of Prime Minister Samuel Hinds for consideration.
The President’s meeting with the Rupununi Chamber stakeholders was held at the Kanuku Lodge, a few hours after opening the annual Rupununi Rodeo. He was accompanied by Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce (ag) Irfaan Ali and Minister of Public Works Robeson Benn.
While hailing it as a good tourism product, President Ramotar said the fact that hotels are often booked during the Easter weekend highlights the need for a review in accommodation services in the district.
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