Dear Editor,
I am pleased to read in your media that an American Chamber of Commerce (Amcham) will be formed in Guyana sometime soon, as announced by US Ambassador Perry Holloway. I have long championed for the formation of such a commercial outfit, but could not get takers. Business persons will listen to the Ambassador. And may I also suggest the formation of a US-Guyana Friendship Society that people of other nations set up between their countries and the US.
Amcham and a US-Guyana Friendship Society will help to bolster economic and strategic ties with the US while leading to a higher standard of living and level of security from threats from hostile neighbours.
Amcham will bring the two countries closer together. It will also help Guyana to address challenges in priority areas, such as security, energy, economics, infrastructure, foreign investment, and manufacturing, among others. Amcham will create tremendous opportunities that would benefit both countries’ economies with job creation and growth. It could even lead to high-level dialogue with US Administration officials on geo-political and strategic interests. Amcham will provide a solid foundation from which to work to strengthen bilateral engagements and reinforce Guyana-US strategic, economic, cultural, and people-to-people ties. One must also remember that more Guyanese live in the US than in Guyana.
It is noted that Guyana had strong ties with Washington after the restoration of democracy under the Jagan and Jagdeo Administrations. Unfortunately, post- Jagdeo, relations with Washington inexplicably strained, including a blast against the US Ambassador Brent Hardt during the Donald Ramotar Presidency. Since becoming de facto leader of PPP, Jagdeo has been mending relations with Washington. The former President Jagdeo has signaled that he wants the next PPP Government to work closely with the US.
There is need for a strong and collaborative partnership between Georgetown and Washington on a number of issues, not the least being: territorial security; trade; energy; attracting greater foreign investment, especially in manufacturing; and expanding access to skills training and education in the US.
If Guyana is to achieve its economic and strategic potential, it must work collaboratively with the US and other western countries, like Canada and Britain. It must also try to overcome the many ghosts that Ambassador Holloway mentioned in his speech at Marriott on July 11 at the reception for US Independence Day.
The country must boldly face the myriad economic and governance challenges, including endemic corruption and violations of the constitution that slow growth, development, and foreign investment. Amcham will help in this endeavor, and businesses should welcome and join it.
Yours truly,
Vishnu Bisram
