250 jobs for Linden as Govt re-establish call-centre

… inks MOU with Midas BPO

Some 250 jobs will be created in Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) with the inking of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the re-establishment of a call-center in the mining town.

On Friday, Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh participated in a ceremony in Linden, which saw a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) being signed between the Guyana Office for Investment (Go-Invest) and Midas Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) Inc for the expansion of the BPO to the Mining Town.
With the expansion of the business to that Region, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Midas, Malcolm Sobers explained that 50 to 75 persons would be recruited by October 1 while by year-end that number would increase to 150, then further moved to 250 by June 2022. He noted that the company would commence the recruitment process for employees from within the town immediately after the signing ceremony. In fact, it was observed that a large number of young persons had already gathered outside the building enthusiastically waiting with applications in hand.
The Guyanese businessman said he was also ecstatic that he was able to expand to Linden to assist in creating jobs and expressed his intention to have his business expand to other Regions. He further expressed his appreciation to especially the Senior Finance Minister and Go-Invest’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr. Peter Ramsaroop as he explained that the officials were quick to respond to his business- expansion need and showed serious commitment to the BPO industry. Sobers recalled that 17 years ago he attempted to commence his own operations in Guyana but was unsuccessful while four years ago, when he made another attempt, no one responded to his expressed interest. He said that it was a dream realized for him to see his business grow in the manner it has.
During his remarks prior to the signing, Minister Singh said that Sobers’ success story is one which could be emulated by each new employee who came to work at Midas. He emphasised that Sobers’ journey as a young Call-Centre agent who moved up to higher positions in the BPO industry within twenty years, to now being a proprietor, is a success story for many young persons who may be considering the industry as a serious one for career-advancement.
Dr Singh then alluded to the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic’s (PPP/C’s) commitment to Information Communications Technology (ICT) and recalled that the focus on this started since under former President Jagdeo’s tenure.
“Today the fruits of those efforts are now being harvested under President Irfaan Ali’s tenure,” he added.
Minister Singh then highlighted the several other steps being taken by the Government to promote the development of the ICT sector in Guyana, including the liberalization of the telecommunications sector and investment in ICT education.
Also speaking at the event was Public Works Minister, Juan Edghill who said that Government is serious about its commitment to the region and will continue to prove this through its efforts to catapult development in not only ICT and job-creation, but also in infrastructure, housing and social services, as he alluded to the works currently being done on the Linden-Mabura Road and housing for young professionals.
“This is not a stand-alone activity that we are celebrating. This is part of a suite of measures that are being made to bring real development to Linden and Region Ten,” Minister Edghill reiterated.
Only last month that the Senior Finance Minister visited Midas’ Headquarters located in New Market Street, Georgetown, where he lauded the efforts of Sobers on pursuing his vision, which had materialized into the successful BPO facility that only commenced operations in August 2020 but has since allowed for the employment of 330 Guyanese. The businessman had noted then that his business was heading towards expansion in Guyana. The event was proof that he meant business.