Govt must change its attitude to Chinese investment – Ramkarran

….as APNU/AFC antagonism continues to hurt economy

China has been good for Guyana; aid and investment have flowed liberally and Guyana has benefited greatly but unfortunately the present government, when in opposition, took a negative position on the activities of Chinese companies in Guyana and it has brought some of that sentiment in its policies.

This is the view held by former Speaker of the National Assembly, Ralph Ramkarran, who over the weekend in his converstationtree.org outlet called on the coalition A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance for Change (APNU/AFC) Government to embrace China and the opportunities that exist for Guyana.

Ramkarran made his position public on the heels of that nation celebrating its 67th Anniversary, an occasion at which Head of State, President David Granger pledged continued cooperation with China and its peoples.

The former Speaker did observe that some Chinese companies have not adhered to investment agreements and this has resulted in the impression that all Chinese investments are questionable.

During the celebrations held locally by the Chinese Embassy, Ambassador Zhang Limin did warn Chinese companies operating locally to ensure they abide by the local laws.

Ramkarran, in his appeal to the APNU/AFC Government to seek to foster better relations with China, conceded that the reputation of the Chinese has suffered as a result of the Skeldon Sugar Factory, which they constructed but did not live up to its expectations.

“Little has been said about possible design flaws of Skeldon, for which the Chinese were not responsible, which it is alleged may have been an important factor in its failure to produce.”

He pointed too to the Marriott Hotel, which was built by the Chinese and had attracted significant criticism particularly over the refusal to provide jobs for Guyanese, in addition to what some had called the ‘shadiness’ of the entire arrangement.

According to Ramkarran however, the government’s hostility to this project may well have been responsible for their reticence in commenting on its quality.

He was adamant that Guyana has much to gain by consolidating and strengthening relations with China at this time, “when the economy is in serious difficulties with declining production and declining economic growth, except in mining.”

According to Ramkarran, “It is about time that the Guyana Government re-evaluates its attitude to Chinese investment.”

He pointed to the fact that Chinese businesspeople are the same as any other anywhere in the world: “Unless they are held to their contract and their activities are monitored, both for their benefit and for Guyana’s, the tendency would be that chances are taken.”

According to Ramkarran, “Given a free reign, as has happened with the past government, will result in constraints being challenged… China’s National Day is an appropriate occasion for the Government to make a determined effort to encourage Chinese investment in this guava season.”

According to the former Speaker, “For developing countries, China has been good… Aid has been granted without suffocating strings… Investments have flowed and many developing countries have benefited enormously.”

He did concede that there have been many criticisms of China’s aid and investment in developing countries by developed countries, coupled with talk about exploitation of natural resources and the toleration of undemocratic practices.

“Such talk is of course ‘doublespeak’… Countries which criticise cannot match China’s assistance which is sorely needed in developing countries and developed countries have no basis to talk about exploitation or protecting undemocratic regimes around the world.”

Longstanding relationship

Following a toast with Chinese Ambassador Zhang on the occasion of its Anniversary on Friday last at the Chinese Embassy, President Granger in his remarks, used the occasion to remind of the longstanding relationship between the two countries dating back to October 1971 United Nation’s resolution, supported by Guyana, meant to recognise the role of China and its representation at that forum.

He said too that Guyana and China share common values including the mutual non-interference in each other’s affairs, “cooperation for mutual benefit, respect for treaties and international law and the maintenance of international peace and security.”

The President used the occasion to recognise that both Guyana and China share a common interest in the promotion of sustainable development, particularly in the area of renewable energy.

According to President Granger, Guyana has been observing with keen interest, China’s introduction of its 13th five-year plan for 2016 to 2020 which is committed to achieving a green economy by introducing green low-carbon industries—something the two countries share in common.

“Guyana through its own green agenda has similar objectives; we look forward therefore to intensifying cooperation between our two republics in our common quest to ensure greater use of clean green low carbon technologies and renewable sources of energies.”

Recognising China as one of the world’s largest and fastest growing economies, he said Guyana “welcomes especially the introduction of the multilateral multibillion-dollar platforms, such as the People’s Republic of China/Latin American/Caribbean, industrial cooperation investment and infrastructure funds.”

An initiative, he said that, “will certainly strengthen our economic relations.”