Public Works Ministry to boost cooperation with the GMSA

The Public Works Minister, Bishop Juan Edghill and Minister within the Ministry, Deodat Indar on Friday convened a virtual meeting with the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) where the Private Sector body called for greater Government support.

A few issues discussed were the agenda for infrastructural development and the role of the Private Sector, development of a Hinterland Roads Committee to include Private Sector input and the National Procurement process.
Leading Friday’s discussions was the GMSA President, Shyam Nokta. Several other Executive Members were also part of the discussions.
Minister Indar during his presentation was keen to note that local businesses benefit from developmental projects and capacity will be built through partnerships.
Meanwhile, Minister Edghill outlined some of the major infrastructural projects that will come on stream soon and will require the Private Sector involvement, through the provision of products and services.

For instance, Minister Edghill noted that the Government is committed to building 2000km of Hinterland roads. This will be a network that opens up opportunities for people to get to work and products to get to the market, according to the Minister.
Furthermore, he outlined that several road expansions can be expected, such as the East Coast Expansion Project, which will now continue all the way to Rosignol. On another note, the Public Works Minister explained that the dredging of the Demerara River is high on the agenda and Expressions of Interests have been received.
While still highlighting a few of the areas on the Government’s transformational agenda, Minister Edghill said that new airstrips will be built and the ferry services will be modernised.
“So, whether it is air, sea or land, we are creating a link,” Minister Edghill posited. He was keen to point out to the GMSA that development will not only take place in Region Four and the Government is committed to ensuring that local manufacturers get their piece of the pie from these projects.
In this regard, the Private sector has teamed up with the Ministry to set up a National Procurement Taskforce as well as a Hinterland Committee.