Managing Director of Environmental Management Consultants (EMC), Shyam Nokta was on Friday elected to serve as President of the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) for the third time.
Newly elected GMSA President Shyam Nokta
During their Annual General Meeting for the fiscal year 2020-2021, the baton was handed to Nokta from outgoing President, Clinton Williams. On May 27, the Association would have elected a 13-member Board of Directors and the remaining members were later chosen.
The new President was elected unopposed and is supported by Ramsay Ali of Sterling Products Limited as First Vice President, Ramesh Dookhoo of Banks DIH as Second Vice President and Autamaram Lakeram of NAMILCO in the capacity of Third Vice President.
In his remarks, Nokta recognised that the country and the business sector are facing challenging times, with COVID-19 and ongoing national circumstances.
He said, “One of our primary tasks will be to work with the GMSA membership to get a good picture of the situation facing members and the interventions needed across the various sub-sectors to put businesses back on their feet”.
According to him, he is looking forward to a timely conclusion of the recount process and the declaration of a winner from the March polls. This process, he noted, should elect a Government that is reflective of the will of the people.
Highlighting future plans, they are looking to establish a better partnership in the manufacturing industry while strengthening key drivers of the economy.
“As we did during my previous term as GMSA President, between 2017 and 2019, the GMSA would look to establish a strategic partnership with Government and to work closely with other stakeholders to advance and grow the manufacturing and services sectors. Emphasis will be placed on strengthening important sub-sectors covering agro-processing; services; chemical and pharmaceuticals; construction and engineering; forestry and wood products; and minerals and related products.”
The new President expressed his strong interest in seeing the GMSA play a leading role in Private Sector development and adopting approaches that embrace enhanced competitiveness and sustainability.
The GMSA has over 145 member companies covering the manufacturing and services sectors. The Board includes Demerara Distillers Ltd (DDL), Sterling Products Ltd, Banks DIH Ltd; Edward B Beharry Group; National Milling Company of Guyana, Guyana National Industrial Company, KSM Investments Incorporated and Brass Aluminum Cast Iron Foundry among others.
