Foreign investors committed to aid in sports development

A group of investors representing the Caribbean Marketing Enterprises Inc (CMEI) are visiting Guyana with intention to begin rolling out a number of investment projects, and they have given the assurance that sports would be included in their investment considerations.

They have indicated their commitment to the development of sports as part of their ‘giving back’; and this disclosure was made by President of CMEI, Edmond Braithwaite, who shared that team members recognise Guyana is an ideal destination for foreign investment, and have already examined a number of ways in which they can give back. He noted that the team is using a formula that was successfully used in several other countries.
The CMEI President revealed that, during a meeting with Finance Minister Winston Jordan, the team pledged to assist in a number of areas through the agencies of sports and community development. He disclosed that one of the investors in the team is an avid tennis player with a great passion for the sport, and that investor is planning to return later this year to aid in developing projects that involve tennis.
“One of the investors on the team is a major tennis fanatic and follower, and he has already given the commitment that he will return to contribute to tennis in a major way, as he wants to contribute significantly in this area. He said to me that he wants to return to see the level and quality of tennis being played here, so that he can see how he can assist and contribute in a meaningful way, as he is committed to lifting them (local players) to world standards. Further, he wants to help the players here to reach international stage,” Braithwaite said.
He continued, “I would like to add that tennis is not the only area that we would be giving back to, as we would be investing and contributing to sports development in a meaningful way, as we would not be seeking to take from this country only, but rather to give back to the community, as we see it as an excellent public/ private partnership relationship.”
Stressing that he would like to see this approach being taken by returning nationals and Guyanese in the diaspora, Braithwaite said that while some may not be able to bring investments back home, they can contribute to national development through their skills and talents. He reminded all that Guyanese at home have raw talent, and if they are given an opportunity to be equipped with the right skills and techniques, they can exploit a number of sporting disciplines both regionally and internationally.
“We have talented sports men and women; however, many of them are forced to abort their dreams because of finances, and that is where a number of returning nationals and Guyanese in the diaspora can play an important role, as they can provide the required funding and finances so that our youths can achieve their set dreams. I therefore urge them to not feel that your (team members’) contribution is insignificant in any way, because irrespective of how small it may appear, you can still play a critical role in advancing the development of someone’s career here.
“Sports is important to many Guyanese, and I would like to see more of our Guyanese living in the diaspora contributing,” he urged.
The President of the Caribbean Marketing Enterprise Inc declared that, as a Guyanese who has spent the last 40 years of his life out of the country, he is determined, committed and dedicated to ensuring, as President of this very powerful investment group, that resources would be set aside to aid in sporting development in several communities within Guyana. He identified Berbice, Linden and West Demerara as some of the initial communities that group members would seek to focus upon while making their investments.