GO-Invest reveals blackmail attempt

…slams controversial advertisement
…PSC calls for boycott of KN, SN papers

An advertisement carried earlier in the week in the Kaieteur News and the Stabroek News, which read “Investors beware, Go Invest elsewhere’’ continues to earn strong condemnation from sections of society, including the Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest).
According to GO-Invest President Owen Verway, the advertisement is a

disappointment and a clear attempt at sabotage. More so, the entity itself has intimated that it has information of who was responsible for placing the ad.
GO-Invest revealed in a statement that a particular individual had emailed them a draft of the advertisement last week. This, the agency noted, was in a bid to blackmail GO-Invest into giving the individual preferential treatment to avoid its publication during the Guyana International Petroleum Business Summit (GIPEX) that concluded on Friday.
“No responsible agency would curtail or direct its actions based on a threat of sabotage. GO-Invest has been working fervently to elevate its profile and performance over the last two years, ensuring that investment agreements are processed within a reasonable time while observing all legal and other regulatory requirements.”
GO-Invest said on Friday it is alarmed by the obvious intention of the responsible party to sabotage the country’s economic development potential by deterring investment interests in Guyana. “This advertisement (however) did not deter investors from participating meaningfully at GIPEX.”
The agency also sought to stress that it is not solely responsible for investments, but must work in conjunction with the Guyana Revenue Authority and the Ministry of Finance.

Boycott
At a press conference on the final day of GIPEX, Private Sector Commission President Eddie Boyer reiterated his condemnation of the advertisement, adding that he would even call for a boycott of the newspapers involved.
“A lot of people are seeing the opportunities of Guyana…Guyana is on a trajectory up, not down. And we have got to stick as a nation.” he admonished.
“When we see (published) a negative advert like the one I saw two days ago, I would call for a boycott of those newspapers!” the businessman stressed.
Meanwhile, the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI) also joined in reproaching the advertisement. In a press statement issued on Friday, the GCCI announced strong objections to the paid advertisement.
The GCCI declared its view that this “mischievous statement (is) anti-national and anti-development, and believes that such a position should not be condoned by any Guyanese.” It also noted that investments can both accelerate economic growth and provide for Guyanese welfare.
“The GCCI welcomes investors to Guyana, and remains supportive of policies and acts which will promote private sector development and, by extension, economic development,” the chambers added.
The advertisement was published on the first day of GIPEX 2018. The summit seeks to create a platform for networking and partnership opportunities for all investors as Guyana prepares for first oil in 2020.
The half-page paid advertisement was carried in the two newspapers on Wednesday February 7, and again on Thursday. It read: “Investors Beware, Go Invest Elsewhere” in bold letters. Condemnation has since flowed from both the Government and the private sector.
Finance Minister Winston Jordan in particular has acknowledged that there are provisions in the law for freedom of speech. He noted, however, that the advertisement and its authors had gone beyond the boundary, and should not be tolerated.