Barbados Housing and Investment team lauds Govt’s housing policies

— seeks to strengthen collaboration in housing and construction sectors

The head of the Barbados Housing and Investment Mission team, which is on a three-day visit to Guyana, was on Saturday hosted with an exchange and familiarisation session by the Ministry of Housing and Water – Central Housing and Planning Authority.
The session was hosted at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre and provided a platform for the sharing of information on the operations of the housing sectors in both countries.
Head of the delegation, Minister of Housing, Land and Maintenance Dr William Duguid lauded the Housing Ministry and the Government for the comprehensive housing policies, noting that it is an impressive one which seeks to meet the needs of people of all walks of life.
These sentiments followed a presentation which was delivered by Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), Sherwyn Greaves on the functions, roles and programmes of the agency in meeting the demand for housing and the need for parallel infrastructural development across the country.
Dr Duguid said his Government stands ready and committed to working with the local Housing Authority in the housing and construction sectors, as both Heads of State share similar visions for growth and development.
He further lauded Guyana’s Government on the mortgage interest relief programme and the young professional housing initiative, stating that they are both impressive. He also called for more publicity on the investment opportunity and more platforms for exchanges in skills and knowledge in the construction sectors.

In her w

elcoming remarks to the delegation, Minister within the Housing and Water Ministry, Susan Rodrigues spoke of the timeliness of the visit. “This is an exciting and historic time for Guyana and the Guyanese economy. Guyana is one of the most rapidly growing economies in the world and most attractive destination for investment,” Rodrigues said.
Referencing the 14.5 per cent growth in the country’s overall GDP within the first half of 2021, Minister Rodrigues noted this is a phenomenal achievement for a country that had major setbacks with a global pandemic and the fight to restore democracy.
“During the 5 months hiatus following our General and Regional Elections, your Prime Minister the Honourable Mia Mottley and the people of Barbados stood with us and were instrumental in securing a recount and restoring democracy and for that the people of Guyana are eternally grateful.”

Speaking of the upward trajectory of Guyana’s economy, Minister Rodrigues said Guyana now has a Government that demonstrates the capacity and commitment to transform the economy and to improve the lives of ordinary citizens.
“We have already allocated close to 10,000 lots in our first year, thereby demonstrating the capacity to deliver on all of our commitments in the housing sector, our focus has been on home ownership and providing Guyanese with the opportunities to access financing to construct their own homes.”
Meanwhile Housing Minister Collin Croal in his address, endorsed the fact that Guyana is on the cusp of rapid development, as he spoke on partnership between Barbados and Guyana.
“While there continues to be growth in the overall GDP of our country, the construction sector and all other sector is seeing growth, in the first half of 2021 we have seen a 25 per cent growth in the construction sector, that in itself is testimony of the work in the housing sector.”
Minister Croal further extended an invitation for investments, noting that Guyana holds huge potential, as it seeks to expand its housing drive. Mention was also made of the strides being made with the ongoing process for the Single Window Processing System and the change in legislations for the Condominium Act. The Minister noted that the Single Window Processing System will pave the way for ease of access for investors coming to Guyana.
“All the measures and programmes being implemented in our housing policy ties into President Irfaan Ali’s vision to improve the quality of life for all Guyanese…our social programmes like the housing programmes caters to all.”