Quality of service is important to transformation of Guyana – Dr Singh

— says launch of Whirlpool distributor here will bring world-class services

As Guyana moves towards unprecedented development, the need for world-class and improved quality of services in both the private and public sectors is vital to run in tandem with the economical transformation of the country.
This is according to Senior Minister with Responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, at the launch of Bpi Guyana Inc as the official authorised distributor for Whirlpool appliances in Guyana at Ogle Airstrip Road, East Coast Demerara, on Saturday.

Dr Singh said he attaches great significance to such events especially in the context of the Government’s aspiration to transform Guyana into a modern and prosperous country. But while transformation is most often viewed in a tangible way such as with road and bridges, new buildings and other visible improvements, Singh pointed out that while all of these things are critical aspects of a country’s development, things such as high quality of services are equally important.
To this end, Minister Singh outlined that there is a lot of work that can be done and should be done in order to raise the quality of services so that not just Guyanese but also visitors to Guyana can enjoy a “true world-class experience” while conducting business here.
“I’ve said to people that I don’t want the average visitor to Guyana to land at a fantastic airport, drive on a fantastic road, stay at a fantastic hotel but then visit a Government agency and have stone-age quality service… The same would apply to the services enjoyed in their interaction with private companies. And so, to us as a Government, quality of service is an extremely important part of the transformation that is underway and we are working hard to address the deficits that we know exist in quality of service on the public sector side, on the Government’s side,” he posited.

According to Dr Singh, the enjoyment of world-class services particularly for internationally-branded products like Whirlpool is critical to any economic transformation.
On this note, he lauded Bpi’s acquisition of full authorised distributorship for a major international brand such as Whirlpool as significant. The Minister added that this significance must not be underestimated as it paves the way for local consumers to benefit from international standards and services, such as the manufacturer’s warranty and after-sales service.
“Exactly like our friends and relatives in the United States of America would complete their warranty form when they buy their appliance and they will enjoy full coverage for the same one-year period…that must be enjoyed by Guyanese customers and the fact that Guyanese customers will now enjoy that I think is a very significant step and one that pleases me very significantly,” Dr Singh stated.
The Minister further stated that the distributorship comes at a time when more people are becoming homeowners and looking to outfit their houses with top-brand appliances that will give them value for their money.
“We must not underestimate the impact investments such as this will have on the quality of life and convenience of daily [routines],” he stated.
But in addition to having a positive impact on Guyanese lives, Dr Singh explained that the Whirlpool distributorship in Guyana matters more now especially at a time when the country is on the cusp of massive developments in its tourism and hospitality sector with construction underway for three international branded hotels – Marriott Courtyard, Best Western and Hyatt Place.
According to Singh, these hotels, when completed, will be looking for world-class manufacturers for furnishings.
“They don’t want to know that they are buying an appliance, or outfitting their entire hotel… with appliances and if they encounter a problem or they need a part, they have to wait for somebody to ship it in from wherever… And so, [there will be] spill overs to the rest of the economy. The fact that you have all of these developments by big customers not just your retail customers who are going to be looking for suppliers and who will expect the same kind of service that they are accustomed to getting in their hotel properties [abroad] – the entry of Whirlpool into the market through this relationship inevitably has a positive spill over to the cost of doing business in sectors such as hotel and hospitality sector, restaurants et cetera,” he contended.
Minister Singh further stressed that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government views such developments in the context of steady of transformation that is on the way in Guyana.
He said the fact that Whirlpool sees it worthwhile to establish distributorship here highlights that it recognises the vast potential of Guyana as a market. This trend, he added, is being observed in every sector of the local economy.
To this end, he urged other Guyanese companies to follow suit and capitalise on bringing services of other world-renowned brands to the Guyanese market.
“This is what will be needed to compete in the Guyana marketplace of the future,” Dr Singh asserted.