US $200M fund for small and medium-sized businesses with next PPP/C term – Pres Ali

…sugar and rice to get full support

…sustainable and progressive future for Region Six

If it’s re-elected to office at the September 1, General and Regional Elections, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government will make available a US $200 million fund for small and medium size business so that they can access finance to grow their businesses. This was disclosed by President Dr Irfaan Ali on Sunday at Albion in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) during a meeting hosted by the PPP/C.

Addressing thousands at what was the largest political gathering in Guyana’s history, President Ali said the fund will be used to support our small and medium-sized enterprises.
“We are going to modernise the financial architecture of our country so that from your homes, from your bedroom, you can transact any business in Georgetown with the power of one card. You are voting for safer, more secure communities and country,” President Ali said.
During his address President Ali pointed out that residents of Region Six would have felt the brunt of the harsh policies implemented by the previous administration.

Under the current administration Region Six residents are a part of the massive development taking place in Guyana.
Outlining some of the plans for the Region should the party be re-elected to office, President Ali said there will be a new Berbice River bridge that will be toll free; a new cricket stadium at Palmyra; a national cultural market; two new hospitals, including facilities for a teaching hospital at the new New Amsterdam Hospital so that doctors can be trained. President Ali pointed out that if given a second term in office the sugar industry will be kept alive and sugar workers will earn more.
He said the new 4-lane Highway from Moleson Creek to the Berbice River Bridge will be completed, and promised to have it completed within the next two years.

Region Six development
President Ali said Region Six will be the home to the most sophisticated technological school in the Caribbean, while a hospitality school will also be placed in the Region.
His announcement of more cash grants and medical vouchers was met with a thunderous applause. However, his next announcement met with an even bigger reaction.
He said during his second term in office, Government part time workers will receive a higher pay. On the macro side of things, President Ali pointed out that as the region develops, there are more hotels coming to the region, which will result in more jobs.
Additionally, the President announced that Guyana’s second gas hub will be in Region Six along with a deep-water harbour. This, he explained, will create jobs in logistics and transportation services.
Noting that an artificial intelligence (AI) centre will also be established in the region, President Irfaan Ali stated that the aim is to secure the best possible future for Region Six. Reminding that the previous administration said that rice was private business and did not provide assistance to those in the industry, President Ali said his Government will continue to support the industry and it will stay alive.
“Rice production will increase,” President Ali promised.
“We will give more incentive to expand production, and we will build facilities that will help you in drying and storage. We’ll invest so you can get insurance for your crop,” he added. Calling on supporters not to be misled by promises being made by others, President Ali urged that the PPP/C get their votes at the upcoming elections.
“You are voting because you want to send the message that you are supporting the building of our deep-water port that will be linked to Northern Brazil and the rest of the Caribbean right here in Region Six. You are voting because you will have logistics and transport, you will have gas processed here, you will have jobs created. You are voting because you will be the home for a new power plant, an AI sector, artificial intelligence driven by data centre. You are voting because you are supporting the best possible future for your children and your region,” the President declared.
According to President Ali, during his next term in office if re-elected, farmers in the Region will benefit from more investments in drainage and infrastructure.
“We will reduce the cost of production. We are going to build farm-to-market access roads to open up thousands upon thousands of new acres of land so your children, your young people can get more land for production. Our fisher folk, we are going to ensure your survival by finding ways and implementing new policies to reduce your taxes and make your industry viable by giving you the tools, access to capital, and reduce interest rate to ensure that you also survive.”
He promised the most sustainable and prosperous future of Region Six; one in which the economy will be diversified.
“A future in which you will pay lower taxes. And yes, our productive sector, especially agriculture, will see marked reduction in taxes and massive growth in support and subsidy for our farmers.”
However, President Ali pointed out that none of that will be possible if the PPP/C is not returned to office or if it has to serve as a minority Government. Tens of thousands attended the standing room only event, in what the President later described as a powerful show of unity and love.