Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry by GxMedia

Contents 4

• Mission, Vision, Core Values, Strategic Priorities • Organisational Chart

6 7

• Notice of the Annual General Meeting • List of Presidents

9 10

• Chronicles of Activities • GCCI Membership List

33 35

39 44

47 54

56 61

64 66

• Export Earnings Expanding • Auditor’s Report

• Annual Dinner and Awards Ceremony 2012 • President’s Speech at the Awards Ceremony 2012

• GCCI Members Celebrate Major Accomplishments • 122nd Annual General Meeting

• Executive Director’s Report • The Chamber’s Committees

• President’s Remarks • Executive’s Profiles

Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry

mission, vision, core values & strategic priorities

Annual Report 2012 Core Values Commitment-The Chamber is in business for business and is committed to preserving a stable economic environment, responding to members’ needs, connecting businesses together, improving prosperity and business opportunities within Guyana.

Integrity-The Chamber is a non-partisan, open, honest and accountable organisation, which bases its decisions on driving and supporting business development in Guyana. Our members also subscribe to a Code of Conduct in the execution of their operations.

Courtesy-It remains a core value of the Chamber that

Chamber Profile The GCCI is the oldest private sector representative organization in Guyana (established in 1890) and is a member-driven and professionally staffed non-profit association of business people committed to improving the economic climate and quality of life in Guyana. We are legislatively mandated under the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry Act Chapter 89:03 of the laws of Guyana. The Chamber’s strength lies in the size and diversity of its membership—both large and small businesses from virtually every sector are represented.

Mission The GCCI represents the voice of the business community in Guyana and strives to advocate policies, stimulate trade and investment, connect businesses, sustain economic growth and expand member opportunities with the aim of contributing to a stable and sustainable economic and social environment in Guyana where businesses can prosper.

the contribution of its Council, its staff and members is valued and appreciated.

Collaboration-The Chamber values strong working relationships with other agencies and stakeholders.

Strategic Priorities for 2012-2013 To achieve our Mission and Core Values, the Chamber has developed several strategic priorities: • To attract, pursue, and retain a membership that reflects Guyana’s evolving and diversified business community. • Position the GCCI as a leading Policy Advocate for the Private Sector in Guyana • Maintain aggressive marketing to expand membership base, increase retention, enhance visibility and expand public awareness of the Chamber • Ensure financial performance and sustainability with the aim of maintaining the Chamber’s independence in fulfilling its mandate

Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Annual Report 2012

• Build internal capabilities to ensure organizational efficiency

dinners, conferences, high-level meetings and workshops

• Promote Guyana’s trade and investment opportunities

• Free capacity building exercises in the form of seminars, workshops, and other educational vehicles for our members

Be part of Guyana’s oldest and most recognizable business network!

• Free listing in the Chamber’s Membership Directory

Benefits of Membership • Your investment and support for the work of the Chamber helps us to help you and to improve the overall business climate in Guyana • Impact public policy. Chamber’s Advocacy Committee formulates and advocates positions on issues affecting businesses in Guyana to our policy makers • Chamber helps members resolve issues affecting their operations by liaising with the relevant local authorities • Take advantage of the many opportunities to expand your network and develop business relationships through formal and informal special events and networking functions, including, cocktails, luncheons,

• Special Advertising discount in the Chamber’s Business Guyana Magazine • Free listing on the Chamber’s website with a link to your business or organization • The Chamber is usually the first point of contact for many businesses looking to invest or buy products and services in Guyana and it is the policy of the Chamber to refer our member companies first to such investors • Annual Chamber certificate to display on your premises to indicate that your organization is an active force in the community and is concerned and actively involved in business expansion and economic growth for Guyana.

Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Annual Report 2012

ORGANISATIONAL CHART THE GEORGETOWN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY’S ORGANISATIONAL CHART MEMBERS

COUNCILLORS

Executive Management Committee

MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE

TRADE & INVESTMENT COMMITTEE

FINANCE COMMITTEE

ADMIN/ FINANCE OFFICER

DRIVER/OFFICE ASSISTANT

CLEANER

CLERICAL STAFF

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

MARKETING/ PR OFFICER

RESEARCHER/INTERN

PR AND FUNDRAISING COMMITTEE

SECURITY & GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE

ITC OFFICER

RESEARCHER/INTERN

ADVOCACY COMMITTEE

RENOVATIONS COMMITTEE

Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Annual Report 2012

notice of Annual General Meeting Notice is hereby given that the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI) will be holding its 123rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Tuesday, March 26th, 2013 at 14:00 hours at Duke Lodge, Duke Street, Kingston, Georgetown for the following purposes:

Agenda 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

Reading of the Notice convening the Meeting. Confirmation of 122nd AGM Minutes. Presentation of the Presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2012 Report. Auditorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2012. Election of the 2013/2014 Council. Appointment of an Auditor. Consideration of any business or motion of which due notice shall be given.

All members are reminded to be in good financial standing with the Chamber.

By: Order of Council. Bonita Marissa Lowden Executive Director (a.g.)

February 11, 2013 Serving Guyana through Commerce and Industry

Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry

7 Annual Report 2012

Annual 7 Report 2012

THE GEORGETOWN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY ESTABLISHED 1889 INCORPORATED 1890 PRESIDENTS FROM 1889 TO 2013 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17

A. Barr T.H. Glennie G.H Richter A. Weber A.P.P Mackey George Garnett E. M. Sanderson A. Summerson C. G. A Wyatt C. W. Prest A. P. G Austin A. P. Sherlock C. Martin-Sperry C. Farrar T. H. Dalgliesh M. B. G Austin F. H. Martin-Sperry

1889 - 1890; 1892 1891 - 1894 1893 1895 -1896 1897 - 1898; 1903 1899 - 1900; 1905 - 1907; 1912 - 1913 1901 1902 1904; 1908 - 1911 1914 1915 - 1916 1917 - 1918; 1924 1919 1920 - 1922; 1927 1923; 1925 - 1926 1928 1929; 1934 - 1935; 1940 - 1942

18 19 20

Jules Pairaudeau F. A. Mackey H. G. Seaford, O.B.E

1930 1931 1932 - 1933; 1939; 1943 - 1944; 1949 - 1950

21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35

J. I DeAguiar, C.B.E W. j. Raatgever, C.B.E. LT. Col. E.J. Haywood, M.B.E, T.D J. St. F. Dare W. M. Green LT. Col. C.M. Bernard, O.B.E, E.D E. S Stoby O.B.E H. L. Steele G.W.E Cooper, O.B.E John Jardim M. B. Gajraj S.M.V Nasseer A.R Yhap A.A, O.B.E N.O. Gonsalves E.P. Christiani

1936 - 1938; 1951 1945 - 1948 1952 1953 1954 - 1957 1958 1959 - 1960 1961 - 1962 1962 1963 - 1965 1966 - 1967 1968 - 1969 1970 - 1972 1970 - 1977 1978 - 1982

Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Annual Report 2012 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47

W.G McKenzie Denis E. Moore John S. De Freitas Hansel W. Barrow Denis E. Moore, A.A Manniram Prashad Edward Boyer Capt. Gerald Gouveia Col. (ret) Carl B. Morgan Chandradat Chintamani Komal Ramnauth Clinton Urling

1983 - 1988 1989 - 1992 1992 - 1993 1993 - 1994 1994 - 1995 1995 - 2001 2001 - 2005 2005 - 2007 2007 - 2008 2008 - 2010 2010 - 2012 2012-2013

We’ve been Busy!

January 2012 to December 2012

Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Annual Report 2012 The Chamber in collaboration with the Trinidadian company, Ivision Management Solutions held an Operational Management Seminar on April 19, 2012 at the Chamber’s Secretariat. The Seminar focused on the alignment of all business units within an organization to ensure that they are working together to achieve core business goals. The presenter, Averil William, Ivision Principal Consultant, explained the importance of Operational Management practices in enabling businesses to increase effectiveness (leading to increased profitability) by understanding, optimizing, and aligning business activities and processes to maximize output.

The months of January, February and March were primarily used to plan various activities for the first quarter of the year 2012. Some of these activities included: 1) the Carib-Export Workshop; 2) Attitudinal Survey; 3) Meetings with various organisations; and 4) the Chamber’s Internship Programme; 5) Resuscitation of the POLSEC/Crime Stoppers Programme.

During the month of May, the Chamber identified its strategic priorities for the year 2012/2013. These were:

April 2012

• To position the Chamber as a leading Policy Advocate for the Private Sector in Guyana

During the month of April under the Trade and Investment Committee, the Chamber released the findings of its Annual Attitudinal Survey which usually provides insightful and empirical data to:

• To maintain aggressive marketing to expand membership base, increase retention, enhance visibility and expand public awareness of the Chamber

1. Gauge members’ intentions, need, concerns and the obstacles to fulfilling their potential

• To ensure financial performance and sustainability with the aim of maintaining the Chamber’s independence in fulfilling its mandate

2. Act as a sounding board for possible government interventions to assist our members and the wider private sector 3. Create a database which can be used for follow-up studies among the private sector 4. Inform the Chamber on issues that are important, and warrant advocacy, to the private sector and specifically our membership.

• To attract, pursue, and retain a membership that reflects Guyana’s evolving and diversified business community

• To build internal capabilities to ensure organizational efficiency • To promote Guyana’s trade and investment opportunities The Chamber in collaboration with the Caribbean Export Development Agency (Carib-Export) hosted a Grant Financing Seminar on May 9, 2012 at the Pegasus

Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Annual Report 2012

Hotel Guyana. The Seminar provided information on the Direct Assistance Grant Scheme funded by the European Union, which forms part of Carib-Export’s Regional Private Sector Development Programme. The Scheme is designed to support established businesses with strong potential to export their products and services.

in particular. The Committee provides a mechanism for information exchange among parties and to officially pronounce on the position of the Chamber based on in depth research and feedback from its members. During the month of May 2012, the National Working Group (NWG) requested that the Chamber become a member on its Committee. The NWG is an organisation that comprises of representatives from the Public and Private Sector with the primary objective being to promote Public – Private Partnership to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. Consequently, the Chamber has agreed and has been actively participating in various activities under this forum. June 2012

Members of the Head Table: from left, representative of Carib-Export; Senior Vice-President of the GCCI, Mr. Lance Hinds and; Treasurer of the GCCI, Ms. Coleen Patterson

Participants at the GCCI/Carib-Export Workshop

The Chamber in collaboration with the Caribbean Institute of Forensic Accounting held a two (2) day Forensic Accounting Workshop on May 24 and 25, 2012. The workshop provided an introduction to Fraud and Forensic Auditing. Participants learnt how fraud examination differs from auditing, how to apply the fraud examination methodology and how to avoid liability by understanding the legal issues involved in conducting a fraud examination. In an effort to guide policy making and facilitate business development, the Chamber has established an Advocacy Committee with its primary objective being to develop policy initiatives to advance and protect the interest of the Private Sector in general and the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry

As a true representation of the Business Community in totality, the Chamber has created a new membership category for micro and small business enterprises with an annual membership subscription fee of only Twelve Thousand Dollars ($12,000). This initiative was undertaken to support and assist in the growth of these businesses, which usually represent the creative industries which are so critical to Guyana’s development. Every successful business is grounded on its unique and appealing brand. As part of the Chamber’s effort to create a new and refreshed corporate identity, a logo competition was held. The winning logo was a black and gold shield with the initials ‘GCCI’ and the date of establishment embedded within the shield. The shield is a representation of the protection, safety and security offered by the Chamber to the business community; the black represents the vast amount of potential and strength of the business community; and Georgetown Chamber & Industry the gold represents the great of Commerce New Logo value of the Chamber and the successes, achievements and triumphs of the business community over the years.

11 July 2012 A new survey called the ‘Members Needs Assessment Survey’ was conducted in July. The purpose of the survey was to gather information to better understand the needs of the members and the Guyana business community. The goal was to enhance the value of the Chamber membership to the benefit of all members. The Chamber held a Banking and Investment Seminar on July 25, 2012 at the Pegasus Hotel Guyana. The main objective of the seminar was to sensitize the business community on issues relating to banking and investment in Guyana. Presenters of the Seminar included: Ms. Shaleeza Shaw of the Banker’s Association; Mr. Lawrence Williams of the Bank of Guyana; Honourable David Devine, High Commissioner of the Canadian High Commission; Mr. Dhanpaul Dhanraj of Go-Invest and Mr. Ramesh Persaud of the Institute of Private Enterprise Development (IPED). The third (3rd) annual publication of the Business Guyana Magazine was published under the theme ‘An Investor’s Guide to Doing Business in Guyana’. This magazine provides insightful information about the economy and business relations in Guyana to investors, the business community and other members of the private sector.

Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Annual Report 2012 As an effort to accelerate trade and further cordial relations with India, the Chamber has resuscitated the Guyana-India Joint Business Council through the High Commission of India in Guyana. A letter of support was received from the Assistant Secretary General – International Affairs, Mr. Manish Singhal of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) for a revised Memorandum of Understanding between GCCI and FICCI to enhance trade and investment relations and promote economic growth and development between India and Guyana. The Chamber was represented by the now Acting Executive Director at the Twelfth (12th) Regional Seminar of African, Caribbean & Pacific Group of States (ACP)-European Union (EU) Economic and Social Interests Groups held on July 5 and 6th, 2012 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (DR). On the basis of the Cotonou agreement (Protocol 1), the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) is mandated to organise consultation sessions and meetings of ACP-EU economic and social interest groups in order to include these actors views on the ACP-EU partnership and foster cooperation between civil society organisations. The aims of this seminar were: • to monitor the implementation on the CARIFORUM Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) and specifically the involvement of civil society in this process; • to discuss the topic “Sustainable and inclusive growth” from a European, African, Pacific and Caribbean perspective;

Honourable Prime Minister Samuel Hinds and GCCI President, Mr. Clinton Urling unveils the 3rd Edition of the Business Guyana Magazine

• to discuss the involvement of civil society organisations in the EU’s development policies and in development cooperation

Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Annual Report 2012

12 Committee held a Barbeque Fundraising event during the month of August. Total funds raised amounted to Three Hundred and Twenty Seven Thousand and Five Hundred and Twenty Dollars ($327,520).

Delegates at the Regional Summit in the DR

August 2012 In order to raise additional funds to support the work of the Chamber, the Public Relations and Fundraising

In collaboration with the University of Guyana’s Centre for Communication Studies, the Chamber has reached out to its membership and secured corporate sponsorship support totaling $1.5M from three members, namely: 1) Digicel Guyana with sponsorship of G$1,000,000; 2) Courts Guyana with sponsorship of G$250,000; and 3) German’s Restaurant with sponsorship of G$250,000 for the film project called “ The Chamber’s Film Series,” to produce three (3) short films under the brand CineGuyana. This initiative represented the Chamber’s effort to support and contribute to the expansion of new and emerging industries. The film industry has the potential to generate enormous revenues for Guyana and also to serve as a significant marketing vehicle. It is one of the fastest growing sectors in the cultural economy of the world and a single major film shot on location in a country can harness vast direct and indirect benefits to the local economy in terms of fees paid, services used and skills transferred. The Chamber is exceptionally proud to help Guyana to enhance innovation, promote technology advancement, find a solution to global economic development, trade imbalances and employment and give traditional industries a push for upgrading.

Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Annual Report 2012 September 2012

Dr. Paloma Mohamed, Dean

Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Guyana , Executive Director (ai) CineGuyana

Working with the GCCI on the production of “Femme”, three short films based on women’s issues was indeed a great pleasure. This was so for many reasons. There is a particular kind of expedient professionalism exuded by all staff we came into contact with from the very top down. They are open to creative approaches, time conscious, respectful, focused and output driven yet not directive and interfering. The Executives’ ability to immediately grasp the possible importance of supporting a fledgling film industry in Guyana to business here also cannot be taken for granted ---it was a move toward supporting the innovative and progressive, yet untried areas of our economy. A brave one which paid off. CineGuyana is also particularly grateful to those GCCI members who put money into our projects: Digicel, Courts and German’s. Through them CineGuyana was able to strive for one more year and to prove that where there is support –there is hope and ultimately growth. We thank you, look forward to future collaboration and wish members and executive every continued success.”

The Chamber held its Marketing Seminar on September 12, 2012 at the Pegasus Hotel Guyana. The seminar informed participants on how to successfully prepare a Marketing Plan, as well as, share specific insight into the cutting edge application of social internet media applications to successfully market and drive the sales of their company’s goods and services. Presenters of the seminar included: Ms. Jennifer Cipriani, of Scotia Bank Guyana and Dr. Rosh Khan of SocialRank Media.

Dr. Rosh Khan, Owner / Director of SocialRank Media

My personal experience with the GCCI has been phenomenal. It’s evident that with the leadership of Clinton Urling and his dedicated team, GCCI has made pioneering leaps - especially in reigniting the participation of the business community while simultaneously educating the workforce and fostering a passion for entrepreneurship. I look forward to seeing even more successful initiatives by the GCCI.”

Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Annual Report 2012

gather information as it relates to Tax Reform in Guyana. The goal is to produce a list of recommendations on behalf of the Business Community for a favourable Tax System in Guyana. The PR and Fundraising Committee also decided to produce some Polo Jerseys with the Chamber’s new logo as part of a fundraising activity and promotional item to give to new and prospective members.

Honourable Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, delivering the opening remarks at the Marketing Seminar

Irfaan Ali

In response to the many enquiries by investors about the Chamber’s members and the various sectors in which they were doing business and also as part of an effort to offer an additional value, at no cost to the membership, the Chamber decided to publish its first Membership Directory to cover the period 2012/2013.

Building and maintaining a strong membership base is priority for the Chamber. To promote networking and building relations among members the Chamber has implemented a ‘Member to Member Discount Programme’ which is an initiative designed to provide benefits to Chamber members when doing business with each other and enhances the value of membership. The objective of this programme is to encourage members to do business with members first and it is voluntary in nature. The benefits include but are not limited to the following: • To the prospective member - purchaser, a discount • To the prospective member - seller, increased business • To the participating member companies, a tangible benefit of membership October 2012

Managing Director of Ansa McAl Trading Limited (Guyana), Ms. Beverley Harper and GCCI, President, Mr. Clinton Urling unveiling the new Membership Directory

Under the Advocacy Committee, a Tax-Reform SubCommittee was formed. The Committee intends to work towards the formulation of a series of recommendations concerning Tax Reform. The TaxReform Committee has conducted a short survey to

The Chamber held a Business Luncheon on October 25, 2012. The guest speaker of the event was Honourable Raphael Trotman, Speaker of the National Assembly who shared his views on the new parliamentary configuration and what it meant for the business community and by extension to the development of Guyana.

Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Annual Report 2012 business leads with other businesses and individuals. November 2012 The Chamber is collaboration with the Linden Chamber of Industry, Commerce & Developing hosted a Banking & Investment Seminar on November 9, 2012 in Linden. The main objectives of the seminar were to sensitize and inform the Linden business community on issues relating to banking and investment in Guyana.

From left: Executive Member of APNU, Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine, Honourable Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, Honourable Speaker of the National Assembly, Mr. Raphael Trotman, President of the GCCI, Mr. Clinton Urling, Chairman of the PSC, Mr. Ronald Webster and Managing Director, Public Communication Consultants Limited, Mr. Kit Nascimento.

The Chamber completed its Operational Procedural Manual which provides general guidelines to the staff concerned and the office procedures governing the Secretariat. The President of the Chamber, Mr. Clinton Urling attended the GUYEXPO Business Forum on September 28, 2012 at the Guyana International Conference Centre. The Forum received participation from representatives of the local private sector, overseas buyers, investors, business organisations and exhibitors from overseas. Mr. Urling in his remarks noted that GUYEXPO is sending a very strong message to businesses and countries around the globe that Guyana is not just open for business, but Guyana can be one of the best places to succeed in business. He further stated that the event also provides a detailed and comprehensive picture of what business and private sector companies are investing in and what are the emerging opportunities available in Guyana and it serves as a great networking forum to establish

The Chamber also held a Customer Service Seminar on November 15, 2012 at the Pegasus Hotel Guyana. The seminar intended to help participants increase their customer service skills, develop a greater appreciation of customer value and raise the quality of the service they provide to customers. Presenters of the seminar included: Mr. Eric Moore of the Embassy of the United States of America and Ms. Joyce Sinclair, Training Consultant in the areas of Management and Customer Care. In support of women empowerment and development, the Chamber has collaborated with the Women Enterprise Network (WENET) to host the Women Entrepreneurship Exposition (WENEX) which promoted female empowerment in Guyana and displayed the challenges and successes of women entrepreneurs and women support groups which encouraged the development of leadership in women of all generations. This activity was done under the National Working Group (NWG) with focus on achieving the third MDG, that is, to promote gender equality and empower women.

Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Annual Report 2012

“The Women’s Goal number 3, which is to promote Tina Camera, Enterprise gender equality and empower women. By Director, WENEX Exposition giving a voice to women in small business, was a full day women’s support groups, and youth event that took development organizations by means place at the end of November, of allowing each vendor (45 in total) to display their aligned 1 day subsequent products and services, network, mentor, and resource, to International Day for GCCI’s primary working objective was to provide both the Elimination of Violence women and men equal access to economic opportunity Against Women. As this event was sponsored by the in order to help families prosper, and the country’s GCCI, it intended to meet Millennium Development economy grow

WENEX participants

Through the various seminars provided by GGCI, the women of WENET have been Kendra Borutski, able to grow and sustain their businesses Women’s effectively. With the support of GGCI, Entrepreneurship WENET was able to facilitate a Women’s Programme Coordinator Empowerment Exposition which allowed them to network with other female entrepreneurs in Georgetown. From the “Working with the GCCI success of WENEX the Women’s Entrepreneurship has been very beneficial for Network obtained 5 new members, this all attributed the Women’s Entrepreneurship Network (WENET). to the support of GCCI.”

Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Annual Report 2012

December 2012 The Chamber held its Annual Dinner and Awards Ceremony on December 6 2012 at the Pegasus Hotel Guyana. The gala event featured an elegant Cocktail, Dinner & the Awards Presentation. The event was well attended by over 270 persons comprising of High Level Government Officials, Diplomats, both Large and Small Business Leaders, Private Sector representatives, Civil Society representatives, International Organisation representatives and other members of the Business Community.

GCCI President, Mr.Clinton Urling and other representatives, paid a courtesy call to the High Commissioner of Canada to Guyana, H.E. David Devine

Throughout the year, the Chamber held numerous meetings with Investors, Foreign Missions, Embassies and High Commissions to discuss areas of support and collaboration.

GCCI President, Mr. Clinton Urling & other representatives paid a courtesy call to the British High Commissioner to Guyana, H.E. Andrew Ayre GCCI President, Mr. Clinton Urling meets with the High Commissioner of India to Guyana, H.E. Puran Mal Meena

GCCI President, Mr.Clinton Urling, paid a courtesy call to the Russian Ambassador to Guyana, H.E. Nikolay Smirnov

GCCI President, Mr. Clinton Urling & other representatives paid a courtesy call to the United States Ambassador to Guyana, H.E. D. Brent Hardt

Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Annual Report 2012

11) One Stop Auto Parts; 12) Impressions; 13) Japarts; 14) Texila American University; 15) Doerga Business Enterprise; 16) The New Guyana School; 17) King’s Jewellery World; 18) NT Computeac; 19)Beyond-IT Solutions and; 20) Guyana Quickbooks & Bind Advisors Inc. GCCI President, Mr. Clinton Urling and the Russian Delegation from the Ekaterinburg City World Expo 2020 Bid Commission.

Additionally, Metro Office & Computer Supplies, Wieting & Richter Limited and Beepats have renewed their membership. The Chamber has been actively supporting the United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Skills and Knowledge for Youth Employment Programme. The Project’s initiatives target assisting at-risk youths through training and coaching in order to increase access to sustainable employment or entrepreneurship opportunities.

GCCI President, Mr. Clinton Urling meets with the Delegation from the Embassy of the Argentine Republic

Additionally, with the hard work of the Membership Committee and the increased press related and public relations activities, the Chamber has managed to attract a number of new members, namely: 1) Princess Hotel Guyana; 2) New Thriving Chinese Restaurant; 3) Green Trade Import Inc.; 4) Digital Technology; 5) TSD Regional Management Services; 6) Dome Group Inc.; 7) The Guyana Jazz Festival Foundation Inc.; 8) Christian Friendship International; 9) SPR Enterprises; 10) GioTech;

Apart from providing information on its website, the Chamber is now maximizing on the benefits of the social media, particularly through Facebook, to reach out to a wider audience and provide information on a prompt basis. Facebook is an amazing marketing tool that businesses all over the world have been using to draw customers to their websites by using simple techniques to get the most website traffic possible and this has been adopted by the Chamber as an effective marketing and public relations strategy. The Chamber has also been restructuring and reorganizing the Secretariat to meet the demanding needs of the members, business community, other members of the private sector and the increased activities.

Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Annual Report 2012

GBTI AD

Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Annual Report 2012 MEMBERSHIP LIST

AMAZON CARIBBEAN GUYANA LIMITED 46 1st Avenue, Subryanville, Georgetown. Tel: 592 226-2828; 65238 Fax: 592 226-9883 Email:jfg@amcarguyana.com/jennie@amcarguyana.com

Jean-Francois Gerin - Chief Executive Officer Canning Organic Heart of Palm and Pineapples ANSA MCAL TRADING LIMITED (GUYANA) 60 Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara. Tel: 592 220-0455/0505/0268 Fax: 592 220-0796 Email: beverley.harper@ansamcal.com

Beverley Harper - Managing Director Distributor of Beer, Beverage, Dry Goods and Pharmaceutical

APEX CARIBBEAN (GUYANA) INC. 1 Croal Street, Lacytown, Georgetown Tel: 592 226-4945 Email: apexginc@gmail.com

Akhilesh Kumar - Company Secretary Metal Export ASSOCIATED INDUSTRIES LIMITED 5 Public Road, Ruimveldt, P.O.Box 10200 Georgetown. Tel: 592 226-7291-2/68491-5 Fax: 592 225-7676 Email: lshivraj@ainlimgy.com; deo_persaud@yahoo.com

Lakeram Shivraj - Chief Executive Officer Distributive Trade, Manufacturers of Equipment for Agricultural, Construction & Office Environment, Food & Household Products & Chemicals

AUSTIN’S BOOK STORE 190, Church Street, Georgetown. Tel: 592 226-7350-7 Fax: 592 227-7396 Email: austins@guyana.net.gy

Lloyd Austin - Managing Director Book & Stationery Store

B. BHAICHANDEEN LIMITED Church Street, P.O.Box 10394 Georgetown. Tel: 592 225-6361 Fax: 592 227-4480

Email:hardwareemporium@gmail.com/kavim@nexlinkonline.com

Randolph Bhaichandeen - Director Importers & Manufacturers Reps./Gen. Merchants

B.E.V PROCESSORS INC. Area ‘K’ Houston, East Bank Demerara. Tel: 592 225-2111; 6573-8; 67173 Fax: 592 225-0015 Email: bevgroup@ymail.com

Bruce Vieira - Managing Director Export of Fish & Prawns BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA 65 Robb Street, Georgetown. Tel: 592 225-9222 Extn: 226; 223-6096-268; Fax: 592 225-9309 Email: bns.guyana@scotiabank.com/ (Banking)

Jennifer Cipriani - Manager Marketing BANKS DIH LIMITED Thirst Park, Ruimveldt, Georgetown. Tel: 592 226-2491-8; 51225 Fax: 592 226-6523 Email:ramesh_dookhoo@yahoo.com/cbr@inetguyana.net

Clifford Reis - Chairman/Managing Director Ramesh Dookhoo - Business Executive Manufacturers of Beverages & Restaurateurs BEAUTY & HOME SYSTEM (GUY) INC. 219 N ½ Camp Street, Georgetown. Tel: 592 227-2447; 72443 Fax: 592 225-8565 Email: : beautyandhomes@gol.net.gy

Melissa Mars - Financial/Administrative Manager Importer/Distributor/ Consultant of Avon Products

Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry

21 BEEPATS 101 Regent Street, Lacytown, Georgetown. Tel: 592 226-1292 Email: rrampersaud@beepats.com

Annual Report 2012 CAR CARE ENTERPRISE 43 Hadfield Street, Stabroek, Georgetown. Tel: 592 225-6888; 66162 Fax: 592 227-6136 Email: wilfredbrandford@yahoo.com

Jonathan Beepat - Director Importer/Distributor

Wilfred Brandford - General Manager Spare Parts

BEHARRY AUTOMOTIVE LIMITED 191 Wellington & Charlotte Sts., L/t, Georgetown. Tel: 592 227-2526; 71349 Fax: 592 225-0956

CARIBBEAN AIRLINES Avenue of the Republic, P.O.Box 10223 Georgetown. Tel: 592 225-9476; 71661 Fax: 592 225-7437

Email: balparts@beharrygroup.com

Suresh Beharry - Director Auto Distributor BEYOND IT SOLUTIONS 23 Brickdam, Georgetown. Tel: 592 684-3424/ 603-1501/ 621-6888 Email: bhakvoort@beyond-it.sl Email: nguyadeen@beyond-it.sl WEB Domanin: www.silver-trail.com

Albert Hakvoort - Director Nadia Guyadeen - Local Representative Electronics THE BRAINSTREET GROUP 287 C Albert Street, Queenstown, Georgetown Tel: 592 225-5353 Email: lance.hinds@brainstreetgroup.com

Lance Hinds - Chief Executive Officer Consulting, IT Project Management, WEB Conferencing, Offshore Animation, Software Development, E-Learning CAMEX RESTAURANTS INC. Parade Street, Fedex Building, Georgetown. Tel: 592 225-4923; 231-8769 Fax: 592 231-8768 Email: oodiyalove@yahoo.com

Christine Bennette-Blair - Director of Finance Terrence Cambell - Director Restaurant

Email: carl.stuart@caribbean-airlines.com Email: jan.carter@caribbean-airliens.com

Carl Stuart - General Manager International Travel Service CARIBBEAN CHEMICALS (GUYANA) LIMITED 45 Croal Street, Stabroek, Georgetown. Tel: 592 225-4178; 59639 Fax: 592 226-8935 Email: ccgl@gol.net.gy Website:caribbeanchemicals.com

Victor Anthony Pires - Managing Director Agri-Chemicals CARIBBEAN CONTAINER INC. Public Road, Farm, East Bank Demerara. Tel: 592 265-4224, 4240 Fax: 592 265-4251 Email: cci@guyana.net.gy; pat_bacchus@yahoo.com

Ronald Webster - Managing Director Manufacturers of Recycled Fibreboard & Corrugated Fibreboard Packing, etc. CHINA TRADING 32 Robb Street, Georgetown. Tel: 592 231-5878/623-2888 Fax: 592 226-3778 Email: aceguyana@hotmail.com

General Store Wang Jun (Jason) General Manager

Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Annual Report 2012

CHRISTIAN FRIENDSHIP INTERNATIONAL 724 Kuru Kururu, Soesdyke, Linden Highway, Guyana Tel #: 592 261-6050

DESINCO TRADING COMPANY LIMITED 48 John & Sheriff Street, Georgetown. Tel: 592 226-7109; 61805 Fax: 592 227-6008

Randolph Williams - Owner Counselling and Farming

Frank De Abreu - Managing Director Wholesale Distributors of Food Items and Personal Care Products

Email: randolphwilliams35@yahoo.com

CORBIN MEDIA GROUP (CGM) 48 Sandy Babb Street, Georgetown. Tel: 592 225-1738; 592-624-2751 Email:slc@GemMagOnline.com, info@GemMagOnline.com

Simeon L. Corbin - Chairman & Chief Executive Officer Publisher DE BEAR’S PRECIOUS METALS INC. 267 New Market Street, N/C/burg, Georgetown. Tel: 592 227-7009; 75309 Cel: 592 691-0489, 669-3741 Email: azad@debearpm.com; shevaun@greenstone.com

Sueanna Walcott - Company Secretary Mining DEMERARA DISTILLERS LIMITED Plantation Diamond, E. B. D. or 44 High St. Kingston, Georgetown. Tel: 592 265-2076; 56850-4 Fax: 592 265-3367;58686 Email: cchintamani@demrum.com; ypersaud@demrum.com

Chandradat Chintamani - Operation Director Manufacturer of Alcoholic & Non-Alcoholic Beverages: Pepsi, Soca, Diamond Mineral Water, Fish & Shrimp Processing, Contracting Services & Information Technology DEMERARA TOBACCO COMPANY LIMITED 90 Carmichael Street, South Cummingsburg, Georgetown. Tel: 592 225-1900; 1902 Fax: 592 226-9322

Email: desinco@gol.net.gy

DFLSA INCORPORATED DFLSA Building 78 Church Street, Georgetown. Tel: 592-225-9674-5 Fax: 592-225-9679 Email: lharlequin@dflcaribbean.com

Lindel Harlequin - General Manager Providing Finance, Equity, Strategic Managerial Advice DIDCO TRADING COMPANY LIMITED Ramp Road, Ruimveldt, East Bank Demerara. Tel: 592 225-1994; 52475; 58837 Fax: 592 225-2316 Email: chionpro@hotmail.com/ didcokfc@didcokfc.com

Deonarine Singh - Director Producer of Poultry, Diary & Meat Products DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY 20 Public Road, Diamond, East Bank Demerara. Tel: 592 265-2932/3 Fax: 592 265-2933 Email: info@digitaltechnology.gy

Terrence Sukhu - Chief Executive Officer ICT Products Sales & Services DOERGA BUSINESS ENTERPRISE Lot 159 Granville Park, BV, ECD (business address) Lot 52 ‘B’, #74 Village, Corriverton (Mailing Address) Tel : 621-8975/335-3394

Email: malissa_sylvester@bat.com

Email : vdoegra@yahoo.com

Malissa Sylvester – Managing Director Tobacco Marketing

Vishnu Doegra - Director Trading

Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Annual Report 2012

DOME GROUP INC 258 David Street, Kitty, Georgetown. PO Box 10770 Georgetown Post Office Tel: 231-9770 Fax: 227-0799

THE GIFT CENTRE 46 Hadfield Street & Boyle Place, Stabroek, Georgetown. Tel: 592 225-2609; 77217 Fax: 592 225-0360

Latoya Warner - Director IT AND BUSINESS CONSULTANCY

Doris Lewis - Managing Director General Merchandise-Electronics, Linen, Fragrances, Colombian Leather, Hand Bags, Luggage, Watches & Clocks, Exercise Equipment

Email: warnerl@dome-group.com website: www.dome-group.com

EXCEL MINERALS INC. 138 Light & Sixth Streets, Alberttown, Georgetown. Tel: 592 231-1701 Fax: 592 223-7967 Email: bpinkey2000@hotmail.com

Wildesson Brito Ferreira - Director Luiz Augusto Quadros Thome - Secretary Gold & Diamond Trading GAME XPRESS 25 North Road, Lacytown, Georgetown. Tel: 592 227-8902 Fax: 592 231-3627 Email: gamexpress2005@yahoo.com

Video Games Audie Henriques - Proprietor

Email: : thegiftcentre@hotmail.com

GIO TECH 64 Middle & Main Streets, South Cummingsburg, Georgetown. Tel: 226-0378/0397 /231-8749/50 Website: www.giotechco.com Email: giovanni@giotechco.com or nirvana@giotechco.com

Nirvana Mahase, Giovanni Charles - Directors Retail GRACE KENNEDY REMITTANCE SERVICES 19 C Water Street, Georgetown Tel: 592 227-5147 Fax: 592 227-5137

GEB SECURITY SERVICES INC. 8-10 Providence, East Bank Demerara. Tel: 592 233-6607; 233-6609 Fax: 592 233-6608

Email: coleen.patterson@gkco.com/ claire.alexander@gkco.com/ delon.kertzious@gkco.com

Maurice Amres – Chief Executive Office

GREEN TRADE IMPORT INC. 13 North Road & Wellington Street, Lacytown, Georgetown. Tel: 592 223-6006

Email: security@gebguyana.com; gebsolutions2000.net Website: www.gebguyana.com

GERMAN’S RESTAURANT 8 New Market Street, Georgetown. Tel: 592 227-0079; 225-3972 Email: clintonurling@gmail.com

Restaurant Clinton Urling - Managing Director

Money Transfers / Payment Services Coleen Patterson - Country Manager

Email: gizmosandgadgets03@yahoo.com

Rental Ravi Mangar - Director

Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Annual Report 2012

GUYANA ASSOCIATION OF PRIVATE SECURITY ORGANISATIONS (GAPSO) C/o Banks DIH Limited Thirst Park, Ruimveldt, Georgetown. Tel: 592 226-2491; 60652 Cel: 6109-9009 Fax: 592 226-6468 Email: randystormy2009@yahoo.com; gmguyana@fmshq.com

Randy Storm - President Security Firms GUYANA BANK FOR TRADE & INDUSTRY High & Young Street, P.O. Box 10280 Georgetown. Tel: 592 231- 4400-8 Fax: 592 231- 4411 Email: mgmtsecty@gbtibank.com

John Tracy - Chief Executive Officer Financial Services THE GUYANA JAZZ FESTIVAL FOUNDATION INC 258 David Street. Kitty, Georgetown. P.O Box 10770 Tel: 592 231-9967 Fax: 592 227-0799 Email: latoya@guyanajazz.com Website: www.guyanajazz.com

Latoya Warner - Assistant Entertainment GUYANA METAL RECYCLERS’ ASSOCIATION 176 Waterloo Street, South Cummingsburg, Georgetown. Tel: 592 231–5736, 231-5776 Email: guyanametalrecyclers@yahoo.com

Desmond Sears - Executive Metal Recyclers GUYANA NATIONAL SHIPPING CORPORATION LIMITED 5-9 Lombard Street, La Penitence, Georgetown. Tel: 592 226-3365; 226-1732 Fax: 592 225-3815 Email: gnsc@guyana.net.gy | astwood@gnsc.com Website: www.gnsc.com

Andrew Astwood - Managing Director Shipping Agency & Cargo Handlings

GUYANA OIL COMPANY LIMITED 166 Waterloo Street, Georgetown. Tel: 592 225-1595-8 Fax: 592 225-2320

Email: akadir@guyoil.com - badriep@yahoo.com

Abdool Kadir - Administrative/Company Secretary Petroleum Dealers, Service Station, Distributors GUYANA POWER & LIGHT 40 Main Street, North Cummingsburg, Georgetown. Tel: 592 225-4618/67408/62601-8 Fax: 592 227-1978 Email: bharat.dindyal@gplinc.com

Bharat Dindiyal - Chief Executive Officer Electricity Supply GUYANA PUBLICATIONS INC. 46-47 Robb Street, Lacytown, Georgetown. Tel: 592 226-2406; 78527 Fax: 592 226-3237 Email: accounts@stabroeknews.com

Shaleeza Khan – Company Secretary Publishers of Stabroek News & Sunday Stabroek GUYANA QUICKBOOKS AND BIND ADVISORS INC 23 Brickdam, Georgetown. Tel: 592 671-6800/ 603-1501 / 621-6888 Email: ngyadeen@beyond-it.sl

Sidney Theedora - Director Nadia Guyadeen - Locoal Representative Accounts GUYANA TELEPHONE & TELEPHONE CO. LTD 79 Brickdam, Stabroek, Georgetown. Tel: 592 227-4660; 225-1315 Email: gmsec@gtt.co.gy

Major General (rtd) Joseph G. Singh - Chief Executive Officer (a.g.) Communication

Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry

25 GUYANA & TRINIDAD MUTUAL FIRE & LIFE INSURANCE GROUP 27-29 Robb & Hincks Streets, Georgetown. Tel: 592 225-7912-9 Fax: 592 225-9397 Email: kpayne@gtm-gy.com/ coysecty@gtm-gy.com

Donna Tucker - Human Resources Manager Fire, Accident Guarantees, Marine & Motor Insurance, Life & Other Classes of Insurance HACKS HALAAL FOOD 5, Commerce Street, Georgetown. Tel: 592 226-4912; 56798 Fax: 592 74473 Email: siddiq@networksgy.com

Siddiq Hack - Manager Restaurant HAND IN HAND MUTUAL FIRE & LIFE INSURANCE COMPANIES 1-4 Avenue of the Republic, Georgetown. (Next to the Bank of Guyana) Tel: 592 225-1865-7 Fax: 592 225-7519 Email: vjoshi@hihgy.com Website: www.hihgy.com

V. Joshi - Business Development Manager Shaheed Essack - Company Secretary Insurance- Property, Motor, Marine, Accident, Life, Fire, Health and Group THE HARDWARE DEPOT 182 Charlotte Street, Georgetown. T el: 592 226-4165 Fax: 592 226-4050 Email: bonnysingh140@yahoo.com

Bonny Singh - Chief Executive Officer Import General Hardware HARRIS PAINTS GUYANA LIMITED 10 Water Street, North Cummingsburg, Georgetown. Tel: 592 226-5156; 55630 Fax: 592 226-7002 Email: david.archer@harrispaintsonline.com Website: www.championsofcolour.com

David Archer - Accountant, HR Manufacturers of Paint

Annual Report 2012 IMPRESSIONS 149 Crown Street, Queenstown, Georgetown. Tel: 592 227-7757 Email: impressionsgy@live.com Website: www.impressionsgy.com

Patrick Sukhlal - Chief Executive Officer Advertising Production JAPARTS 38 Croal Street, Stabroek, Geogetown Tel: 592 227-3444 Fax: 592 227-3460 Email: japarts_terry@hotmail.com

Terry Singh - Chief Executive Officer JOHN FERNANDES LTD 24 Water Street, Georgetown. Tel: 592 226-3241-2; 73344 Fax: 592 227-3360; 61881 Email: chris@jf-ltd.com or Bernie@jf-ltd.com Website: www.jf-ltd.com

Chris Fernandes - Managing Director Shipping Agency JOHN LEWIS STYLES 186 Waterloo Street, South Cummingsburg, Georgetown. Tel: 592-231-7321 Fax: 592-231-3941 Email: johnlewisstyles@hotmail.com Website: www. johnlewisstyles.com

John Lewis - Managing Director Clothing KANHAI’S GUYANA ELECTRICAL AGENCY 146 Regent Street, Lacytown, G/town. Tel: 592 227-2200 Fax: 592 227-8652 Email: kamkan@bbgy.com

Kamal Kanhai - Managing Director Electrical Supplies for Industrial & Domestic Use KBC GENERAL CONTRACTOR INC. 19 Diamond Public Road, East Coast Demerara. Tel: 592 265-2217 Fax: 592 265-2209 Email: kishan_bacchus@hotmail.com

Kishan Bacchus - Proprietor Contractor

Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Annual Report 2012

KING’S JEWELLERY WORLD 141 Quamina Street, Georgetown, Guyana Tel: 592 226-0704 Fax: 592 225-2524 Email: rpersaud@me.com Website: www.kingsjewelleryworld.com

Jewellers Rohandev Persaud – Managing Director Cindy Ramnarine – Floor Manager KOJAC MARKETING AGENCY 140 B Quamina Street, South C/burg, G/town. Tel: 592 227-5095; 225-2387, Fax: 592 227-5094 Email: kojac_mkt@yahoo.com/kojacgy@gmail.com Website: www.kojacmarketing.com

Komal Ramnauth - Chief Executive Director Office Equipment, Furniture and Stationery Supplies LAPARKAN HOLDINGS (GUYANA) LIMITED 34-37 Water Street, Georgetown. Tel: 592 225-6870-9 Fax: 592 225-6874 Email: bobita.rambrich@laparkan.com

Bobita Rambrich - Managing Director LEN’S 136 Sheriff & 4th Street, Campbellville, Georgetown. Tel: 592 227-1511; 72486 Fax: 592 226-3750 Email: lens@guyana.net.gy/ hrambharose@aol.co

Indranie Rambharose - Director Distributor/Wholesaler of Paints, Tiles, Tools, Cosmetics and Cycle Parts LYKENS FUNERAL PARLOUR 18 North & John Sts.Werk-en-Rust, Georgetown. T el: 592 225-9263/76815 Fax: 592 225-9263 Email: glyken@hotmail.com /buckie920@aol.com

Gordon Lyken - Managing Director Funeral Parlour

M.P. INSURANCE BROKERS & CONSULTANTS LTD 46 F Brickdam & Boyle Place, Stabroek, Georgetown. Tel: 592 227-7782 Fax: 592 227-7783 Email: ravinprashad@hotmail.com, mpins@networksgy.com

Insurance Brokers Ravindra Prashad - Managing Director MACHINERY CORPORATION OF GUYANA LTD Lot Providence, East Bank Demerara Tel: 592 265-2518 Fax: 592 265-4885; 6004 Email: jmedina@macorpgy.com/anita@macorpgy.com

Jorge A. Medina - Managing Director Anita Rampersaud-Sawh - Finance Administrative Officer Dealers in Caterpillar Machinery MATTS RECORD BAR 93 Regent Street, Georgetown. Tel: 592 227-1962 Email: matts@guyana.net

Aubrey Baptiste Music-CD DVD’s Dubbing, Special Recording METRO OFFICE AND COMPUTER SUPPLIES Street: 127 Quamina Street, Georgetown Phone: 223-9870/39879 Fax: 223-9877 Business Contact: Taaj Jadunauth – Chief Exec. Officer Distrubutor of Office and School Supplies MMC SECURITY FORCE INC. 95-99 Commercial Blvd., Happy Acres, ECD Tel: 592 220-5426; 5416; 6691; 5203 Fax: 592 220-6545; 5426

Email: cmorgan@mmcsecurityforce.com, silasbrummell@ mmcsecurityforce.com Website:www.mmcsecurityforce.com

Silas Brummel - Director Electronics Alarms Installation, Monitoring & Response, CCTV Installation, Visiting Patrols, Cash

27 Escort, Ambulance, Equipment Rental NATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK Homestretch Avenue, Georgetown. Tel: 592 223-5162; 58745; 71566 Fax: 592 223-5163 Email: ceo@ncnguyana.com, shabsingh@ncnguyana.com,

Michael Gordon - Chief Executive Officer (ag) Broadcasting NATIONAL HARDWARE (GUYANA) LTD 15 ‘A’ Water Street, Georgetown. Tel: 592 226-6569; 71964 Fax: 592 226-5280; 70102 Email: natware@guyana.net.gy

Wholesale Distributors & Retailers of Building Materials and Industrial Engineering tools, Household Equipment, Electrical, Plumbing Edward Boyer - Chief Executive Officer NEW GUYANA PHARMACEUTICAL CORPORATION A1 Farm, East Bank Demerara. Tel: 592 265-4261; 55134 Fax: 592 265-2229 Email: limacol@newgpc.com/atlanticphar169@yahoo.com Website:www. newgpc.com

Paul Braam - Company Secretary Manufacturers of Generic Pharmaceuticals, Over the Counter Preparations and Veterinary Products

THE NEW GUYANA SCHOOL Lot NGS, Houston Gradens, East Bank Demerara. Tele# 225-2135 or Cell#: 670-6512 Email: director@newguyanaschool.com Website: www.newguyanaschool.com

Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Annual Report 2012 Qiyuan Zaang - General Manager Restaurant NT COMPUTEAC 175 Middle Street, North Cummingsburg, Georgetown Tel: 592 223 7442 Fax: 592 223-7443 Email: sales@ntcomputeac.com Website: www.ntcomputeac.com

Natasha Sweatnham - Marketing Manager Dean M. La Maison - Accountant

ONE STOP AUTO PARTS 74 Sheriff Street, Campbellville, Georgetown. Tel: 592 226-9109; 225-6356/7 Email: rayone@networksgy.com

Auto Parts Rae Seebarran - Chief Executive Officer PATSAN TRADING 282 Sheriff & John Streets, Campbellville, Georgetown. Tel: 592 225-9832 Fax: 592 227-7624 Email: patsan@networksgy.com

Patrick Seebaran - Director Tin Food, Detergent, Air Freshener, etc. PEGASUS HOTEL GUYANA Old Road, Kingston, Georgetown. Tel: 592 225-8176; 52853 Fax: 592 225-8176

Email: robert.badal@pegasushotelguyana.com; joan.ramlagan@ pegasushotelguyana.com,

Robert Badal - Managing Director Hotel Accommodations

Education NEW THRIVING CHINESE RESTAURANT 32 Main Street, Georgetown Tel: 592 225-0038 Fax: 592 225-1752 Email: newthriving@hotmail.com

POMEROON OIL MILL INC. 16 Mudlot Kingston, Georgetown. Tel: 592 223-5273-4 Fax: 592 223-5266 Email: pom-oil@networksgy.com Website: www.pom-oilmills.com

Adron Alphonso - Chief Executive Officer Hotels, Pomeroon Oil, Gold & Diamond Mining

Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Annual Report 2012

PRINCESS HOTEL GUYANA Track ‘BS’ Block 2 Plantation Providence East Bank Demerara Tel: 592 265-7001-30 Fax: 592 265-7002

REPUBLIC BANK GUYANA LIMITED 155-156 New Market Street, Georgetown. Tel: 592 223-7938 to 49; 226-2010 Fax: 592 223-8619; 2274506

Email: info@princesshotelguyana.com/reservations@ princesshotelguyana.com Website: princesshotelguyana.com

Email: Eon.Grant@republicguyana.com Email: Charles.Bruton@republicguyana.com Email: Jadoonauth.Persaud@republicguyana.com

Muharrem Kulekci - General Manager Hospitality Industry

John Alves - Managing Director Banking & Other Financial Services

RAJ SINGH INSURANCE BROKERS & RISK MANAGEMENT CONSULTANTS INC. 301 Church Street, Georgetown. Tel: 592 227-2880; 70294 Fax: 592 227-3096 Email: Email: rajsingh@networksgy.com

Rajendra Singh - Director Insurance RAM & MCRAE 157 ‘C’ Waterloo Street, P.O. Box 10148, Georgetown. Tel: 592 226-0322; 61301 Fax: 592 225-4221 Email: info@ramandmcrae.com Website: www.ramandmcrae.com

Christopher Ram - Managing Partner Chartered Accountants, Tax Consultants RAMBARRAN’S ENTERPRISE 10 Meadow Bank, East Bank Demerara. Tel: 592 225-9304; 75222; 60772 Email: rambarransenterprise@gmail.com

Alvin Rambarran - Managing Director Producer of Poultry Meat Products RENT-A-TENT 1 Rahamans Park, East Bank Demerara. Tel: 592 225-7063; 53763 Fax: 592 225-3763 Email: rentatent@ewirelessgy.com

Isabel Angela Rahaman - Managing Director Rental of Chairs, Tables, tent, etc.

RORAIMA AIRWAYS LIMITED R8 Eping Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Tel: 592 225-9647; 59648 Fax: 592 225-9646 Email: ggouveia7@hotmail.com, rriops@hotmail.com

Captain Gerald Gouveia - Managing Director Aircraft Charters RRT ENTERPRISES 107 Regent Road, Bourda, Georgetown. Tel: 592 225-1290; 52237 Fax: 592 225-1290 Email: rrt@networksgy.com

Rajeshwer Ramrattan - General Manager Tyres & Auto Spares SAFEWAY SECURITY 153 Oronoque & Regent Streets, Bourda, Georgetown. Tel: 592 227-6465; 76473 Fax: 592 227-6249 Email: md@safewaysecuritygy.com Website: safewaysecuritygy.com

(Security)Eon Caesar - Managing Director SHOEWORLD GUYANA LIMITED 28 Industrial Estate, Coldingen, East Coast Demerara. Tel: 592 270-5216-17 Fax: 592 270-5218 Email: shoeworldguyanaltd@networksgy.com

R. Ramdin - Director Manufacturers/Distributors SILVIE’S GENERAL STORE 44 High Street, Werk-En-Rust, Georgetown. Tel: 592 225-4360; 76241-3 Fax: 592 227-6240 Email: spersaud15@gmail.com; silviesxx@yahoo.com

General Merchants Shanti Persaud - Administrative Personnel

Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Annual Report 2012

SPR ENTERPRISES 45 Brickdam, Georgetown Tel: 223-5699, Fax: 223-5687

TOOLSIE PERSAUD LIMITED 10-12 Lombard Street, Georgetown. Tel: 592 226-4071-5/71649 Tele/fax: 592 227-1649

Scotty Ramroop - Proprietor Wholesale and Retail of Electriccal and Hardware products

Luvindra Sukraj – General Manager Manufacturer, Importer/Exporter & Distributor of Building Materials, Lumber, PVC Pipe, Roofing, etc.

STARR COMPUTER INC. 59 Brickdam, Stabroek, Georgetown Tel: 592 225-4846, 223-7773

TONY’S VARIETY STORE 66 Middle Road, La Penitence, Georgetown (Showroom) 53 Sandy Babb Street, Kitty, Georgetown (Warehouse) Tel: 592 227-3300

Email: sprebtal@yahoo.com

Email: fazal_110@yahoo.com, stargygroup@yahoo.com Website:www. starrcomputers.com

Rehman Majeed - Managing Director Commercial & Manufacturing Sector STERLING PRODUCTS LIMITED Providence, East Bank Demerara. Tel: 592 265-7403-8 Fax: 592 265-4956 Email: rali@sterlingguyana.com. Website: www.sterlingguyana.com

Manufacturing & Marketing of Margarine, Ghee, Vegetable, Shorting, Deterling Ramsey Ali - General Manager TEXILA AMERICAN UNIVERSITY (TAU) Critchlow College Campus Woolford Avenue, Thomaslands, Georgetown Tel: 592 231-8118 Fax: 592 231-8118 Email: info@tauedu.org Website: www.tauedu.org

Educational Institution Saju Bhaskar - Chief Executive Officer

Email: Email: tpl@solutions2000.net

Email: tonysvstore@gmail.com; tonys_vs@yahoo.com,tvsguyana@gmail. com Website: www.tvsguyana.com

Anthony Rhamanohar (Tony) - Chief Executive Officer R. Ramrattan (Joel) - Manager TRADE-LINC 37 West Public Road, Land of Canaan, East Bank Demerara. Telfax: 592 266-5656

Email: rraghubansee@tradelinc.com Website: www. Tradelinc.com

Producer of Tropical Timber & Products Rodney Raghubansee - Chief Executive Officer TRANS PACIFIC MOTOR SPARES & AUTO SALE INC. 5 Good Hope, E.C.Demerara Tel: 592 220-9293; 9284; 9293/84 Fax: 592 220-9796; 3171 82, Sheriff Street Tel:592 231-9707/08/09 43 Robb & Light Streets. Tel: 592 227-7539; 57448 Fax: 592 226-2103 Email: transpms@hotmail.com Website: transpacificgy.com

Spares Parts & Vehicle Sales Harripersaud Ramsewack - Chief Executive Officer

TCL GUYANA INCORPORATED GNIC Compound, 2-9 Lombard Street, Georgetown. Tel: 592 225-7520 Fax: 592 225-7347

TSD REGIONAL MANAGEMENT SERVICES LIMITED 77 Brickdan, Stabroek, Georgetown. Tel: 592 226-3226-8 Fax: 592 225-7578

Email: markb@tclgroup.com

Email: drt@networksgy.com

Cement Factory Mark A. Bender - Plant Manager

Management Services Rameshwar lal - Managing Partner

Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Annual Report 2012

U MOBILE (CELLULAR) INC. 56 High Street, Kingston, Georgetown. Tel: 592 690-0000 Email: Guy_ccfrontoffice@digicelgroup.com Website: www.digicelguyana.com

WEST INDIAN SPORTS COMPLEX 43 Robb Street, Lacytown, Georgetown. Tel: 592 227-3870 Fax: 592 227-3841 Email: wisports@networksgy.com

Gregory Dean - Chief Executive Officer Communication Services

Feroze Khan - Managing Director Sporting Goods, Trophies & Accessories Repairs

UNICOMER GUYANA INC. 25-26 Main Street, Georgetown. Tel: 592 227-8750; 55886 Fax: 592 227-8751

ZE SCRIBE PLUS 3 Avenue of the Republic, Georgetown. Tel: 592 227-8304/226-2324

Email: dlgymarketing@unicomer.com

Molly Hassan - Director of Marketing Home Furniture, Electrical Appliances

Email: zescribe@gmail.com; zenahallamkarim@yahool.com

Marlon Talfie - Manager Office Supplies and Services

Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Annual 31 Report 2012

Annual Report 2012

EN T ER A W O R L D O F P R IN T I N G & C R E A T I V I T Y • EMBROIDERY • SCREENPRINTING • INDOOR SIGNAGE • OUTDOOR SIGNAGE • PROMOTIONAL NOVELTIES • DIGITAL ADVERTISING MEDIA • EVENT BRANDING • EXPO FACILITIES

Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Annual Report 2012

President’s Remarks volunteering together with enthusiastic committee members and working with incredibly devoted Chamber staff. These are the people who are making the Chamber a major success. The Chamber’s primary goal always is to support the best interests of our members. We are here to represent your needs and to be your truly representative voice. Your success is our success.

Mr. Clinton Urling, President of GCCI

Dear Chamber Members: It has been a privilege to serve as President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI) for the 2012-2013 term. I also have enjoyed the opportunity to serve on the GCCI Council since 2006. Each year has brought promising ventures and momentous challenges to the GCCI, as all of us continue to support and advocate for the development of Guyana’s business community and to foster and maintain, with ever-growing confidence, a vibrant economic climate in which all of the country’s businesses can thrive and prosper. Throughout my time at the GCCI, I have served with remarkably talented, resourceful and innovative business professionals on the Chamber’s Council and have engaged with many important leaders and stakeholders. With the benefit of a well-articulated network of stakeholders and contacts, we have advocated for and have formulated significant policy decisions. I have considered it a high privilege,

The Chamber offers members the chance to expand their networks and develop business relationships through formal and informal special events and networking functions, including cocktails, luncheons, dinners, conferences, high-level meetings and workshops. Members also have the opportunity to offer their direct input into public policy formulation on issues affecting business development in Guyana. Likewise, the Chamber helps members resolve issues affecting their operations by acting as liaisons with the relevant local authorities. These are just a few of the many advantages of becoming a GCCI member. During the 2012-2013 term, the Chamber embarked on numerous initiatives aligned precisely with our strategic priorities. Among the most notable were hosting a series of capacity building seminars covering a broad range of areas critical to business success and creating a membership category catering to the smalland micro-business community. The Chamber also established an Advocacy Committee to articulate, in a unified voice, policy issues affecting the business community. We also have dramatically raised our public profile by engaging and utilising traditional and social media channels along with various public forums. Additionally, we commissioned two surveys to capture the thoughts

Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry

33 and feelings of our membership in an effort to improve our services and to inform policy makers about what matters most to the private sector. I have every confidence that in the coming year the Chamber will continue its aggressive pace of formulating and implementing initiatives to benefit the

Annual Report 2012 business community in Guyana. Moreover, I hope to see many more businesses joining the Chamber. Our best impact arises in our collective voices through which you are effectively empowered to exercise your rightful role in building and shaping Guyanaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economic future. Regards, Clinton Urling

Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Annual Report 2012

executive Profiles President

Clinton Urling Mr. Clinton Urling is the youngest President in the history of the Chamber, serving for the 2012-2013 period. Mr. Urling also serves as the ViceChairman of the Private Sector Commission since June 2012. He is the General Manager and Co-owner of German’s Restaurant. Since 2005, Mr. Urling has been actively involved in the activities of the GCCI. He held the position of Honorary Secretary of the Chamber in 2007, Senior Vice President in 2008, Junior Vice-President in 2009, and Honorary Secretary in 2010. He is currently the Chairman of the GCCI’s Trade and Investment Committee. As Chairman, he was instrumental in the conceptualization and production of the Business Guyana Magazine. He also served as Chairman of the Guyana Fire Advisory Board in 2008.

Executive Director (a.g.)

Bonita Marissa Lowden

Ms. Bonita Marissa Lowden joined the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry in May 2012 in the capacity of the ‘Advocacy and Research Officer’ but today she now serves as the ‘Acting Executive Director’ of the Chamber. Ms. Lowden has a Bachelor of Science Degree in International Relations from the University of Guyana (2008), as well as, a Master of Science Degree in Global Studies from the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine (2011).

Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Annual Report 2012

Prior to joining the Chamber, Ms. Lowden has a range of work experience, in 2005 she served as a Clerk with a Mining and Exploration Company; in 2008 she served as a Project/Communication Officer with the Office of the President; and in November 2009 she served as a Research Assistant with the Office of the Pro-Chancellor, University of Guyana. In December 2009, she became a National United Nations Volunteer and served as such until November 2011. Subsequently, Ms. Lowden went on to work with the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development as a Youth Community Facilitator/Consultant. Ms. Lowden also possesses training in the areas of Conflict Management, Project Management, Gender Sensitization, Family Planning, Advocacy and Community Mobilization, and Project Proposal Writing. One of her major achievement is the publication of her Master of Science Thesis titled “Climate Change and its Implications on Guyana’s Foreign Policy” by the University of West Indies, St. Augustine in a book titled “Selected Essays on Contemporary Caribbean issues: An International Relations Perspective”. Ms. Lowden now presents her knowledge and skills to the Chamber to effectively execute its mission, vision and core values while abiding by the quote “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.”

Molly Hassan Ms. Molly Hassan was a student of St. Joseph’s High School and also the University of Guyana where she obtained her Diploma in Marketing. She is currently reading for a Degree in Business Management with a major in Marketing at the University of Wales. Ms. Hassan started her career at Demerara Distillers before moving to Unicomer Guyana Inc., home of Courts & Lucky Dollar and currently serves as Director of Marketing with over twelve (12) years of Marketing Experience. Today, Ms. Hassan is married with two (2) sons and twin daughters.

SECRETARY

Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Annual Report 2012

executive Profiles Treasurer

Coleen Patterson

Ms. Coleen Patterson is currently the Country Manager of GraceKennedy Remittances Services (Guyana) Limited, a subsidiary of GraceKennedy Group based in Jamaica and the agent for Western Union Money Transfer and Bill Express bill payment services.

Ms. Patterson was appointed as Treasurer of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry for the period 2012/2013. Additionally, she was a past Secretary in 2008 and served as a Councillor for over six (6) years.

Junior Vice-President

Rajeshwar Ramrattan Mr. Rajeshwar Ramrattan is the Managing Director of RRT ENTERPRISE. He entered the Tire and Automotive business over twenty eight (28) years ago and has been a member of the Chamber for fifteen (15) years..

Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Annual Report 2012

executive Profiles Treasurer

Lance Hinds

Mr. Lance Hinds has been on the GCCI Executive for 4 years. He served for two years as the Treasurer and the Secretary before being elected to be Senior Vice President in 2012. He has twenty plus years experience in the provision of professional services for the design, development and implementation of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) solutions for public and private sector agencies. He specialises in ICT strategic planning and implementation at the national level and also for rural community and hinterland development. His professional services have been commissioned by such organisations as the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), The InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB), The World Bank, The European Union, The U.S. Departments of Commerce and Treasury. He is the Founder and Chief Executive of the BrainStreet Group, a business information technology solutions company that offers a complete range of management information and business system consulting services for government and private sector agencies. The company also develop interactive content for the education and carton His other professional activities include: Member of the Caribbean Export Private Sector Advisory Committee; This committee consists of a select number of experienced business leaders from around the Region who advise the Caribbean Export Development Agency on how to improve its existing programmes and also its overall strategic direction. Current chairman of DevNet; This is an ICT developmental NGO specializing in the development of solutions for the exposure and use of Information Technology in disadvantaged rural and hinterland areas.

Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Annual Report 2012

Founding member of the Latin American & Caribbean Regional At-Large Organisation (LACRALO); This is a hemispheric ICT4D group that represents Latin American and Caribbean interests within the International Corporation of Assigned Names & Number (ICANN) framework as it pertains to the worldwide management and integrity of the internet space. Member of the CARICOM ICT Steering Committee (CISC), whose primary function is to develop policy and action plans for the implementation of regional initiatives to help regional governments and related stakeholders effectively use information technology to improve the general well being and productive capacity of its citizens. As part of his overall contribution to the community at large, Mr. Hinds is a Past President of the Rotary Club of Demerara, Former President of the Malteenoes Sport Club. He is also a former member of the Bishops’ High School Board of Governors, Past President of the Bishop’s High School Old Students Association and a past executive member of the Queens’ College Old Students Association. .

executive Director’s Report

Bonita Marissa Lowden Executive Director (a.g.)

In 2012, the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI), was certainly a champion for a strong local economy and for business. The Chamber has managed to successfully accomplish an enormous amount of activities for the year and has truly served as the voice of Guyana’s Business Community with much vigor and presence in the public’s domain. We have addressed hundreds of inquiries from people interested in doing business in Guyana and worked with organisations and companies that were looking to expand and create jobs. The Chamber has managed to attract a number of new members, namely:

Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Annual Report 2012 1) Princess Hotel Guyana; 2) New Thriving Chinese Restaurant; 3) Green Trade Import Inc.; 4) Digital Technology; 5) TSD Regional Management Services; 6) Dome Group Inc.; 7) the Guyana Jazz Festival Foundation Inc.; 8) Christian Friendship International; 9) SPR Enterprises; 10) GioTech; 11) One Stop Auto Parts; 12) Impressions; 13) Japarts; 14) Texila American University; 15) Doerga Business Enterprise; 16) The New Guyana School; 17) King’s Jewellery World; 18) NT Computeac; 19) Beyond-IT Solutions and; 20) Guyana Quickbooks & Bind Advisors Inc. Additionally, Metro Office & Computer Supplies, Wieting & Richter Limited and Beepats have renewed their membership. The Chamber continues to lend its leadership and support to its members and other members of the Business Community, Private Sector and Civil Society to help improve the quality of life in our thriving community. The Chamber’s current strategic goals are: • To improve the quality of services offered to members • To achieve operational and financial self-sufficiency • To achieve successfully one new service annually • To strengthen the institutional capacity of the Chamber • To increase membership • Develop and implement the Chamber’s Code of Conduct

Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Annual Report 2012

• Promote and protect trade and investment Today, the Chamber has positioned itself as being a nonpartisan, open, honest, accountable and professional organisation which supports and represents business development in Guyana. The Secretariat has now implemented an “Office Procedure Manual” which provides a basic guideline for the proper functioning of the Secretariat. The Secretariat is committed to the concept that all aspects of its operations should be of the highest quality. The Chamber has successfully strengthened its relations with other agencies and stakeholders and has and will continue to collaborate with organisations to host initiatives geared towards business development and the strengthening of Guyana’s Private Sector. In its commitment to strengthen the capacity of the business community, the Chamber has hosted numerous seminars which were all free of cost to

not only its members but also to other members of the business community to provide a forum where persons can sharpen their skills and access relevant resources. The Chamber also collaborated with the Linden Chamber of Industry, Commerce & Developing to host a Business and Investment Seminar to support the business community in Linden and inform them of existing opportunities for business development. The Chamber continues to produce publications to provide information to investors and the business community. Some of these publications include: the annual Business Guyana Magazine, the latest edition being for the year 2012 which served as a guide for investors when doing business in Guyana and the new Business Directory for the year 2012/2013. The Chamber continues to advocate for a strong business climate that creates jobs, help members stay informed on key issues, grow community and business leaders, help members connect with prospects and

2012/2011 Surplus Variation 6,000,000

5,000,000

4,000,000

3,000,000

2,000,000

1,000,000

0 2012 Surplus

2011 Surplus

Variance

-1,000,000

-2,000,000

1. However, revenues are projected to significantly increase during the year 2013 as a result of the funds raised from the Chamber’s next edition of the Business Guyana Magazine.

Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Annual Report 2012

customers, support development of the workforce, and maintain a well-run Secretariat by maintaining clean financial audits and hiring competent and credentialed professional staff to effectively deliver the services and programmes offered by the Chamber. Financial Performance Despite the increased number of activities executed by the Chamber during the year 2012, its financial performance for the year ended 31 December 2012 remained favourable. Surplus for the year 2012 amounted to Four Million, Forty Two Thousand, and Four Hundred and Ninety Two Dollars ($4,042,492) while surplus for the year 2011 was Five Million, Two Hundred and Eighty Thousand, and Six Hundred and Eighty Two Dollars ($5,280,682) which resulted in an

adverse variation of One Million, Two Hundred and Thirty Eight Thousand and One Hundred and Ninety Dollars ($1,238,190), see figure The Chamberâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s income for the year 2012 amounted to Twenty Two Million, Six Hundred and Thirty Nine Thousand, and Two Hundred and Six Dollars ($22,639,206) while income for the year 2011 was Seventeen Million, Seven Hundred and Sixty Five Thousand and Eight Hundred and Seventy One Dollars ($17,765,871) which resulted in a positive variance of Four Million, Eight Hundred and Seventy Three Thousand, and Three Hundred and Thirty Five Dollars ($4,873,335), see figure 2

2012/2011 Income Variation 25,000,000

20,000,000

15,000,000

10,000,000

5,000,000

2012 Income

2011 Income

Variance

Figure 2.

Total expenditure for the year 2012 amounted to Eighteen Million, Five Hundred and Ninety Six Thousand and Seven Hundred and Fourteen Dollars ($18,596,714) while expenditure for the year 2011 was Twelve

Million, Four Hundred and Eighty Five Thousand, and One Hundred and Eighty Nine Dollars ($12,485,189) which marked an increase in expenditure of Six Million, One Hundred and Eleven Thousand and Five Hundred and Twenty Five Dollars ($6,111,525), see figure 3.

Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Annual Report 2012

2012/2011 Expenditure Variation 20,000,000

18,000,000

16,000,000

14,000,000

12,000,000

10,000,000

8,000,000

6,000,000

4,000,000

2,000,000

0 2012 Expenditure

2011 Expenditure

Variance

Figure 3. The challenge of debt collection remains a problem for the Chamber but steps are being taken by the Secretariat to address this issue. The Chamberâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cash flow for the year 2012 amounted to Seventeen Million, Nine Hundred and Eight Thousand and Two Hundred and Forty Nine Dollars ($17,908,249) while cash flow

for the year 2011 was Twelve Million, Four Hundred and Sixty Eight Thousand, and Five Hundred and Eighty Two Dollars ($12,468,582) which resulted in a positive variance of Five Million, Four Hundred and Thirty Nine Thousand, Six Hundred and Sixty Seven Dollars ($5,439,667), see figure 4.

2012/2011 Cash Flow Variation 20,000,000 18,000,000 16,000,000

14,000,000 12,000,000 10,000,000 8,000,000 6,000,000

4,000,000 2,000,000 0

2012 Cash Flow

Figure 4.

2011 Cash Flow

Variance

43 Acknowledgements On behalf of the Executive Management Committee and Council Members, I would like to extend profound thanks to all the members of the Chamber, members of the Private Sector and the Business Community, members of the Diplomatic Community, members of the Academic Community, members of the Governmental and Non-Governmental Organisations, members of Civil Society and members of the Media for their enormous support to ensure the successful implementation of all of the Chamberâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s activities and

Do your business frequently bind document for presentation?

It is now time to bind your document presentation at your own desk !

Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Annual Report 2012 events throughout the years. I must mention our deep sense of appreciation to the Chairpersons of the various Committees for their time and hard efforts to ensure that each Committee meets its objectives as outlined in their respective terms of references. As we know, the activities and events of the Chamber cannot happen overnight, in that respect, I would like to thank the motivated and dedicated team of the Secretariat for their cooperation and dedication towards the execution of the work of the Chamber.

Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Annual Report 2012

GEORGETOWN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY COMMITTEES 1. TRADE AND INVESTMENT COMMITTEE Terms of Reference •To liaise with the Ministry of Foreign Trade and International Cooperation (MOFTIC) on matters relating to the WTO, FTAA, EU / ACP, EPA and CARICOM •To liaise with the Ministry of Tourism Industry & Commerce and GOINVEST on matters related to Trade & Investment locally. •To ensure that the interest of the Chamber Members and the local Private Sector are adequately represented at the various forums. •To keep the Membership of the Chamber informed on a regular basis about any interesting developments in the areas being monitored.

2. SECURITY & GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE Terms of Reference •To review, upgrade and modernize the Chamber’s Constitution with a view of making it more transparent and relevant to today’s Business Environment. •To develop a team that can mediate / advise and otherwise interact with our national security network on issues relating to crime. •In cooperation with the Public Relations SubCommittee, develop educational materials that can assist members of the business community to be better prepared to handle everyday crime: robbery, kidnapping, etc. • To keep the members of the Chamber informed on

a regular basis about any interesting developments under its preview • Liaise with the Guyana Police Force and other relevant authorities at least every three (3) Months to discuss matters of concerns for the Business Community. 3. MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE Terms of Reference •To ensure that all members of the Chamber abide with required rules and regulations. •To seek new members with quality for the Chamber in order for the Chamber to remain financially viable and be a unified voice for the Business Community. •To make recommendations to Council on all applications for Membership. •To ensure that the members interest and concerns are adequately addressed by the Chamber. •To keep the Chamber members informed on a regular basis about any interesting developments in the areas being monitored. 4. FINANCE COMMITTEE Terms of Reference •To liaise with Government on Financially-sensitive issues of importance to the Chamber’s Membership •To ensure that the Chamber remains financially viable in the short to medium terms. •To ensure that the budgetary controls in place at the Chamber are followed.

Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Annual Report 2012 6. ADVOCACY COMMITTEE

•To seek donor & other funding for the Chamber’s Secretariat •To liaise with bilateral and multilateral donors on matters associated with the Chamber. •To keep the Chamber members informed on a regular basis about any interesting developments in the areas being monitored. 5. PR & FUNDRAISING COMMITTEE Terms of Reference •To ensure that the Chamber remains financially viable in the short to medium term. •To coordinate the planning of any fund raising and promotional initiative such as Annual Dinner, Luncheons (Speaker Programs) etc •To plan & coordinate Promotional activities for the Chamber so that Businesses can view the Chamber as having a unified voice for the Business Community. •To develop a Public Relations Strategy for the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce. •To ensure that timely communications are sent to members on matters of importance to the Chamber and the Business Community. •To notify the general public through Press Releases. •To work in collaboration with other Sub-committees to produce educational and informative material, that will be of benefit to the Chamber Members. •To keep the Chamber Members informed on a regular basis about any interesting developments in the area being monitored.

Terms of Reference • To articulate members’ concerns in a unified voice attracting policy makers’attention. • To meet regularly with decision-makers to discuss key policy issues and establish channels of communication and close working relationships with their staff. • To provide sound policy-relevant information to policy makers so that they may start automatically turning to business associations for policy advice. • To engage in both proactive and reactive advocacy (help to set the policy agenda by voicing concerns and proposing specific policies as opposed to only reacting to proposals already on the table). • To keep abreast of imminent and current policy proposals so that they can thoroughly examine the issue and prepare a sound policy response. • To help prevent frequent changes to the businessrelated legal and regulatory framework that scare away investors and hinder entrepreneurship. • To monitor implementation of advocated policies to ensure that they are administered fairly, consistently, and swiftly, thereby strengthening the rule of law. • To publicize successes to “brand” the association as an active agent of positive change. REPRESENTATION ON VARIOUS BOARDS COMMITTEES •Fire Advisory Board •Tourism Procurements Board •Traffic Advisory Board •Ministry of Education Tender Board •GRA/PSC Private Public Dialogue Body • Judicial Review Committee

Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Annual Report 2012

Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Annual Report 2012

Bank of the Year In November 2012, Scotiabank received recognition as Global Bank of the Year from The Banker magazine, a Financial Times publication. The Bank was also recognized in seven other Scotiabank is the first categories, Canadian bank to be including Bank recognized as Global of the Year for Bank of the Year and the Americas. Bank of the Year in the This is the first Americas by The Banker time a Canadian magazine bank has been recognized in either category. Financial

institutions are judged by The Banker on their ability to deliver shareholder returns and gain strategic advantage. “We are honoured to be the first Canadian bank to be recognized as Global Bank of the Year,” said Rick Waugh, CEO of Scotiabank. “At Scotiabank we pride ourselves on our ability to earn a strong return on capital while staying true to the risk management culture that has been a driving force of our success for more than 180 years. “Scotiabank has a strong track record of delivering superior results and at the heart of that success is our culture, which is rooted in our values and good business judgement,” added Mr. Waugh.

Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry

GKRS

Annual Report 2012

Celebrating over 10 years of service Company (GT&T) and Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI).To date, our service offers bill payment for eleven organizations for a wide range of services including utility services, school fees, cable and internet bills, and even micro financing repayments.

GRACE Kennedy Remittance Services Guyana Ltd, (GKRS) under its Bill Express brand, on October 1st 2012 celebrated its 10th anniversary of serving Guyanese customers.

Our company is willing to venture into new areas where we can provide convenience and reliability to customers and billers. We also believe that our customer service sets us apart from other entities as we make it a priority to maintain a fully staffed customer Service Center operating from Monday to Saturday weekly that ensures that all customer queries are resolved.

The Companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s vision of providing a first class bill payment service to Guyanese started in 2002 when GraceKennedy Remittance Services (Jamaica) introduced its One Stop bill payment service-Bill Express.

From the very inception, the company has made it a priority to transform lives by investing in key sectors, such as education, sports, culture, social and community development and we remain committed to this undertaking.

Cognizant of the demands for such a service in Guyana, Bill Express began operations at nine locations countrywide. These Agents were C&F Supermarket and Johnny P Supermarket in Georgetown, Riverview in Linden, City Pharmacy on the West Coast of Demerara, Imam Bacchus on the Essequibo Coast, Parasram, Matadeen and R&S Shopping Plaza in Berbice.

At the 10th Anniversary Celebration, the Company recognized and honored its long standing Agents and all of whom received tokens and participated in our cake and drink exercise.

Ten years later, the Company now has 58 locations country-wide that are noted for their convenience, excellent customer service and reliability to both customers and billers alike. In 1992 the service started with three billers- Guyana Power and Light (GPL), Guyana Telephone and Telegraph

The company attributes its years of success to the unwavering support received from the many men and women who use the service on a daily basis. GKRS promises to continue providing the excellent service customers have grown accustomed to and salutes its business partners, dedicated staff, SubAgents and Customer Service Representatives in the network, for their hard work, commitment and invaluable contributions over the years.

Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Annual Report 2012

Major accomplishment for Courts Guyana in 2012/2013 at Public Road, Great Diamond, East Bank Demerara on the 14th September, 2012. The two story, state- ofthe â&#x20AC;&#x201C;art Diamond store has an estimated value of two hundred and fifty million dollars ($250M); inclusive of the property and fixtures. Courts Guyana sees this as a major accomplishment businesswise since the Great Diamond and its surrounding communities have experienced major development over the past few years and couple with the fact that Great Diamond is likely to attain township soon. The opening ceremony saw attendance by Government officials, members of the private sector, local and overseas Unicomer Officials and also members of the Diamond/Grove communities. His Excellency, President Donald Ramotar delivered the feature address and also assisted with cutting ribbon to the building. Also present was Minister of Housing, Irfaan Ali and Minister of Finance, Ashni Singh. Unicomer Management Team poses for photo in front of the newly opened Courts Diamond branch.

The period 2012-2013 has been quite a memorable one for Courts Guyana Inc. as they opened the doors to the 8,000 square feet, Courts Diamond branch located

As part of the opening celebrations the Diamond store offered customers one week of great deals storewide along with refreshments during shopping. This new addition sees Courts Guyana bringing value to Guyanese with eight retail outlets around the country

Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Annual Report 2012

THE OPENING OF SAFEWAY PENTA COLOR CENTRE Ansa McAL Trading Ltd partnering with Safeway Security is pleased to announce the opening of its newest PENTA color shop, located at the SAFEWAY SECURITY building, 153 Regent and Oronoque Street Bourda, on Friday, November 23 2012. This expansion of the PENTA brand is in recognition of the burgeoning demand for paints and paint products in the market fuelled by the current boom in construction. Ansa McAL Trading Ltd has willingly taken up the challenge in an effort to provide both quality and affordability to new and existing homeowners at this new and convenient location, well situated in Georgetown yet sufficiently away from the hustle and parking problems that consumers face further down. The color shop is owned and operated by prominent businessman and Rotarian Mr. Eon Caesar, and will offer the full range of quality PENTA paint products to the market.

In addition, SAFEWAY PENTA COLOR CENTRE will have the capability of supplying paints in custom, customerdetermined colors in an interactive facility which will enable persons to upload photographs of their buildings/ rooms and actually paint them using various colors in a virtual environment before purchase. This will be ably supported by the famous high quality PENTA shelf colors, Wood finishes, textured coatings and other PENTA products at very affordable prices.

Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Annual Report 2012

Harris IS the

“Caribbean Champions of Colour” still committed after 40 years

Harris Paints was first established in Barbados in 1972, an organization founded on principles of excellence with a goal of manufacturing the best quality paint products, in the most beautiful colours, and delivered with unmatched service. Today, the passage of time bears testament to the enduring quality and character of the Harris brand, which under the banner of the Harris Group of Companies has for the past 40 years delivered on its promise to colour, beautify, and in the process unify Caribbean communities. The company’s record speaks for itself, and demonstrates that the Harris Group is truly deserving of the title: “The Caribbean Champions of Colour”. The Harris Group of Companies, still commonly known to customers and associates across the Caribbean

as Harris Paints, is one of the Caribbean’s leading manufacturers of architectural finishes, building products and industrial coatings. The group has grown dramatically over the years, which included the acquisition of Brandram-Henderson (B-H Paints), a leading Jamaican paint manufacturer founded in 1962. One of the largest paint companies in the region, Harris is the region’s exclusive technical partner of Akzo Nobel, the leading paint company in the world. The company also holds an International Standard of Organization (ISO 9001 – 2008) certification for its high level of quality management. Today, Harris employs over 200 people across the region, and manufactures paint in Barbados, Dominica, St. Lucia, Guyana, and Jamaica, while also distributing paints and related products to over 15 other countries throughout the region. The official acknowledgement

52 and celebration of the Company’s 40th anniversary in September last year was undoubtedly an occasion to remember. A Caribbean wide celebration uniting thousands across the region was planned as management, staff, customers and associates joined with regional governments and other entities to pay tribute to the achievements and contribution of the Harris Group. Terry White, Head of Guyana Business Unit and Export / HPC Sales Manager said the Company was pleased with its record of performance, particularly in its 40th year, which coming as it had in difficult economic times, had turned out to be an award winning year for the Group. Over the years, the Harris Group has striven to live up to its stated mission: “To enrich the lives of people wherever Harris chooses to market its products and services. This mission further states, “We will achieve this by producing ideas and inspiration that enable our customers to decorate, enhance and protect their living and working environments with outstanding products and solutions that bring superior visual delight and longer lasting care to their surroundings.” The execution of this mission can be seen in the many contributions that Harris as a corporate citizen and sponsor has made to worthy causes such as schools and community projects, sports, and in the company’s commitment to the preservation of the environment. In fact, Harris Paints Barbados (2003) Ltd. has been a Green Business with Green Business Barbados since September 2010 and has played a crucial role in the development of the programme over the years. In 2012, Harris Paints broke a new record within the programme becoming the first business to achieve Tier two (2) of the Footprint Rating System. This set a new standard for the programme and raised the bar for a new level of achievement for the other businesses in

Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Annual Report 2012 the programme to follow. Overall, the Harris Group has been a consistent and consummate high achiever across the Caribbean region. Recent examples of this have been the performance of Harris Paints (St. Lucia) Limited which at the recent inaugural St. Lucia Manufacturers Association Awards (SMAs), won a total of five quality awards in the coveted categories of Diamond and Platinum and was one of the most outstanding performers. More recently in Barbados, Harris won four of the five top prizes for Customer Service including the Prime Minister’s Award and thus became the best performer in the Barbados National Initiative for Service Excellence (NISE) awards. Reflecting on the NISE awards, Harris Paints’ Chairman, Ralph “Bruggadung” Johnson said nothing could replace the magic and the awesome power of engaged employees as “they can move mountains”. “The big win for Harris is that over two-thirds of the Harris staff across the region got involved in the initiative and we and our customers have seen improvements in many areas varying from health and safety... product information and process improvement; We have also improved our supply chain efficiency. Many of our staff have also made personal improvements from gaining more skills on the computer, on improving their public speaking and all of this directly or indirectly impacts on our customer value propositions for the better. So our commitment to continuous improvement at Harris will continue as it did over 40 years ago,” said Mr. Johnson. The Harris Group’s commitment to quality remains unquestionable. The Company is focused on continuing to satisfy the needs of its customers through product evolutions and a guaranteed high standard of service. A Company in touch with modern communications technology, further information on Harris Paints can be found at Web address www.championsofcolour. com, and you can also visit on Facebook at “Caribbean Champions of Colour”.

Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Annual Report 2012

DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY

COMMISSIONED NEW HEADQUARTERS IN JUNE 2012 Who we are: Diamond is known to be the next town outside of Georgetown. Many commercial businesses have set foot here to make their mark. Many recognizes Digital Technology as it stands towering near the main entrance of newly established housing scheme, adjacently from GBTI, Republic and Demerara banks. There is one major difference however. Digital Technology is no stranger to this neighbourhood! DT was established in 2003 at 54 Grove Public Road by young Guyanese Entrepreneur Terrence Sukhu. Its location was no accident. Mr. Sukhu’s aim was to serve the Diamond/Grove community that he called home and the wider population. He envisioned citizens making use of the technology available to simplify their lives. Digital Technology’s main aim is to serve the ICT (Information, Communication and Technology) needs that existed in several sectors of Guyana’s economy and as a result the company has successfully completed various ICT projects of national impact .The staff at Digital Technology is able to offer a wide range of products and services to their clients and friends from this spacious location. What we do: With the commissioning of this new building , We are able to offer our customers a range of servers, desktops and laptops from our leading partners such as Dell, Lenovo, Acer, and HP. We also carry printers,

all-in-ones, ID Card Printers ink and toner cartridges for HP and FARGO. There are tablet Devices computer peripherals, LED HDTV and a host of accessories that customers will find useful to simplify their lives. We offer Warranty and after sales services to all of our clients through our highly trained Technical Team. For the convenience of our valued customers, we also offer a money transfer service from MoneyGram and SurePay to pay utility bills, GT&T’s C-Point Top-Up etc. Whenever you have an ICT need, from home user to large corporate Data centers DT can customize the best solution to meet your needs. Our Highly trained staff is ready and willing to serve you.

Georgetown Chamber ofIS FURNITURE Commerce & Industry FASHIONABLE Annual Report 2012

ONLY AT COURTS

CMY

Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Annual Report 2012

122nd Annual

play a pivotal role in the governance and democracy of our country leading up to the national elections. • In collaboration with the USAID’s Governance Enhancement Project, the Chamber successfully coordinated a series of Stakeholder Dialogues aimed at bringing together all the major political parties that contested the November 28, 2011 General and Regional Elections.

The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) held its 122nd Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Friday, March 30, 2012 at Duke Lodge, Duke Street, Kingston Georgetown. The immediate past President of GCCI, Mr. Komal Ramnauth in his address during the opening ceremony noted that 2011 was a momentous year for the business community in Guyana.

• The Chamber hosted a presentation by the American Professor, David Lublin, on electoral processes and the role the media in an elections period.

General Meeting

The President stated, “there was positive growth in many sectors, notably in the mining, banking, and telecommunications industry. This translated into an average overall economic growth of 4 percent for the country.” He further indicated that “the increase in economic activity bears testimony to the private sector’s will and commitment to being the engine of growth in Guyana. We at the GCCI pledge to continue on this path of robust development for the good of Guyana.” Among the significant achievements of the Chamber for the year 2011 were: • The formalization of Citizen’s Security Awareness Programme, under which the Chamber was able to

• The Chamber represented the business community through the Public/Private Dialogue Body with the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA). This representation resulted in the introduction of a scanner at the GNSC Wharf. • The Chamber in collaboration with the Guyana Fire Service, Fire Advisory Board and the Hand-in-Hand Mutual Fire and Life Insurance Group of Companies hosted the second series of Fire Safety and Fire Prevention Workshops. • The Chamber published the second edition of its Business Guyana Magazine which is Guyana’s premier trade and investment magazine geared towards attracting investors to Guyana. • As outlined in the Chamber’s Five Year Strategic Plan for the Secretariat to become financially selfsufficient by 2012, the Chamber sustained a steady growth of $5.5M in 2010 and $5.3M in 2011.

Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Annual Report 2012 Following the opening ceremony, the Chamber elected its new 21-member Council for 2012/2013.

Councillors elected on March 30, 2012 No 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

Councillors: Clinton Urling Komal Ramnauth Coleen Patterson Lance Hinds Rajeshwar Ramrattan John Lewis Doris Lewis Shanti Persaud Jennifer Cipriani Molly Hassan Jean Francois-Gerin Navin Prashad Eon Grant Bonny Singh Rajendra Singh Jason Wang Eon Caesar Abdool Kadir Gerald Gouveia Silas Brummell

Proposed by: Lance Hinds Rajeshwar Ramrattan Lisa Lewis Rajeshwar Ramrattan Clinton Urling Navin Prashad Komal Ramnauth Bonny Singh Clinton Urling Shanti Persaud Rajeshwar Ramrattan Clinton Urling Komal Ramnauth Rajeshwar Ramrattan Komal Ramnauth Rajeshwar Ramrattan Shanti Persaud Komal Ramnauth Komal Ramnauth Rajendra Singh

Note: 1. The following Councillors were nominated in their absence: • Coleen Patterson • Doris Lewis • Jennifer Cipriani • Rajendra Singh • Jason Wang • Eon Caesar • Gerald Gouveia • Gregory Dean The duly elected Council met on Friday, April 13th, 2012 at 14:00 hours and elected the following Executive Management Committee: 2. Mr. Komal Ramnauth moved the motion to close nominations and it was seconded by Mr. Lance Hinds.

Seconded by: Rajeshwar Ramrattan Chandradat Chintamani Lance Hinds Komal Ramnauth Komal Ramnauth Rajeshwar Ramrattan Oma Singh Rajeshwar Ramrattan Jean Francois-Gerin Clinton Urling Lance Hinds Rajeshwar Ramrattan Lance Hinds Lance Hinds Navin Prashad Bonny Singh Komal Ramnauth Eon Grant Clinton Urling Rajeshwar Ramrattan

In keeping with Section 20 of the Rules of the Chamber, the Council shall at its first meeting after the Annual General Meeting, elect out of its own body an Executive Management Committee comprising a President; a Senior Vice-President; A Junior VicePresident; a Treasurer and a Secretary…

No Name Appointed Position 1 Clinton Urling 2 Lance Hinds 3 Rajeshwar Ramrattan 4 Molly Hassan 5 Coleen Patterson

President Senior Vice-President Junior Vice-President Secretary Treasurer

Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Annual Report 2012

Annual Dinner

& Awards Ceremony 2012

In recognition of the many strides of the Business Community, the Chamber held its Annual Dinner and Awards Ceremony on December 6, 2012 at the Pegasus Hotel Guyana.

Recipient: Survival Supermarket

Two new awards were introduced, namely: 1) the “Lifetime Achievement Award” which is a “Posthumous Award” to commemorate the outstanding achievements of members of the business community who have passed away and; 2) the “Media Award” for the outstanding media coverage of the work of the Chamber and Business Community throughout the year. The 2012 awards categories and recipients were: 1. Business of the Year Award (Small to Medium Category) This award is open to any business operating for more than three (3) years in its sector. It is given in recognition for the company’s demonstration of good overall performance in the areas of financial growth, customer satisfaction, internal processes improvements, employee relations, development and corporate citizenship.

Honourable Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment, Robert Persaud (right) presents Business of the Year (Small to Medium) to Mr. Rakesh Arjune of Survival Supermarket

2. Business of the Year Award (Large Category) This award is open to any business operating for more than three (3) years in its sector. It is given in recognition for the company’s demonstration of good overall performance in the areas of financial growth, customer satisfaction, internal processes improvements, employee relations, development and corporate citizenship.

58 Recipient: Air Services Limited

Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Annual Report 2012 4. Public Service Award of Excellence This award is presented to a department of the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Public Service which has most effectively facilitated the work of the business community by exhibiting the highest standard of service. Recipient: The Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce

Honourable Prime Minister, Samuel Hinds (right) presents the Business of the Year Award (Large) to Ms. Annette Arjoon-Martins of Air Services Limited

3. Young Business Executive Award This award is open to an individual under the age of forty (40) years on December 6, 2012 who demonstrates ambition, skill, vision and tangible business success. This award is open to young entrepreneurs that are successfully building their own business and those employees who have had an outstanding impact in contributing to the success of an organisation. Recipient: Patricia Bacchus

Member of Parliament, Mr. Khemraj Ramjattan (right) presents the Young Business Executive Award to Ms. Patricia Bacchus of Caribbean Container Inc.

The guest speaker of the event, Mr. David Martins of Dave Martins and the Trade Winds (left) presents the Public Service Award of Excellence to the Honourable Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Irfaan Ali

5. Corporate Citizenship Award This award recognizes the company that best demonstrates ethical leadership, good corporate governance and community investment. Recipient: Scotiabank Guyana

Prominent Business Leader, Peter Ramsaroop (left) presents the Corporate Citizenship Award to a representative of Scotiabank Guyana

Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Annual Report 2012 6. Lifetime Achievement Award

Recipient: Caribbean Container Incorporated

This award recognizes a business person whose success in business and the community presents opportunities for learning to future generations. This award is open to any individual involved in business in Guyana for twenty five (25) years or more. On this occasion, two (2) awards instead of one (1) award were presented at the Ceremony. Recipients: 1) Rabindranauth Beharry; 2) Inderjeet Beharry

Senior Policy Advisor to the World Bank, Dr. Faith Harding (right) presents the Award for Innovation to Mr. Ronald Webster of Caribbean Container Incorporated

8. Award of Achievement (Posthumous Award)

Honourable Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Irfaan Ali (left) presents one of the two Lifetime Achievement Awards to Mr. Suresh Beharry of Edward B. Beharry & Company Limited

This award is given in recognition of tangible business achievements in a particular industry. On this occasion, two (2) Awards of Achievements were presented at the Ceremony. Recipients: 1) Dennis Morgan (Clothing & Textile Industry); 2) Naeem Nasir (Food Manufacturing Industry)

7. Award for Innovation This award goes to the business that recorded breakthrough achievements in technology, processes, marketing campaigns or research and development that have impacted positively on quality of products and services, customer satisfaction, process efficiencies, employee satisfaction, company/product image, revenues or cost.

President of the GCCI, Mr. Clinton Urling (left) presents one of the two Awards of Achievement (Posthumous Awards) to the wife of the late Dennis Morgan of Denmor Garment Factory

Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Annual Report 2012 good corporate citizenship. Recipient: Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry

Chartered Accountant and Attorney-At-Law, Mr. Christopher Ram (right) presents one of the two Awards of Achievement (Posthumous Awards) to a relative of the late Naeem Nasir of Bakewell

9. The Chamber Award This award is presented by the Chamber Secretariat and is given in recognition of the company’s demonstrated and continued active interest in the well-being of the Chamber and significant contributions to the overall success of the organisation and its work. Recipient: U Mobile (Cellular) Incorporated

President of the GCCI, Mr. Clinton Urling (left) presents the President’s Award to Mr. Anand Beharry of the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry

11. Long Service Award This award is given in recognition of long and outstanding membership, dedication and commitment to the Chamber since 1944. Recipient: Hand-in-Hand Mutual Fire & Life Insurance Companies

Captain Gerald Gouveia (left) presents the Chamber Award to a representative of U Mobile (Cellular) Incorporated

10. The GCCI’s President’s Award Nomination for this award is made by the President of the GCCI and is given in recognition of the company’s achievements, significant investments, growth and

Immediate Past President of the GCCI, Mr. Komal Ramnauth (left) presents the Long Service Award to Mr. Vivek Joshi of Hand-in-Hand Mutual Fire & Life Insurance Companies

Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Annual Report 2012

12. Media Award This award is given for the outstanding media coverage of the work of the Chamber and Business Community. Recipient: Arnon Adams of the Stabroek News

Guest Speaker, Mr. David Martins of Dave Martins delivering his featured remarks at the Ceremony Ambassador of the United States of America to Guyana, H.E. D. Brent Hardt (left) presents the Media Award to Mr. Arnon Adams of the Stabroek News

Group photograph of the recipients of Awards

The guest speaker of the event, Mr. David Martins of Dave Martins and the Trade Winds, delivered some light hearted remarks which were most enjoyable and well-received by the business community. The Chamber also premiered one of the three short films which were produced by the University of Guyana under the brand Cine Guyana after attaining corporate sponsorship from three of its members, namely: Digicel Guyana, Germanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Restaurant, and Courts Guyana.

Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Annual Report 2012

Annual Dinner & Awards Ceremony

Remarks by Mr. Clinton Urling

prosperous economic and social environment in Guyana. Other strategic priorities included: Positioning the Chamber as a leading Policy Advocate for the Private Sector in Guyana; Ensuring financial performance and sustainability with the aim of maintaining the Chamber’s independence in fulfilling its mandate; Building our internal capabilities to ensure organizational efficiency and Promoting Guyana’s trade and investment opportunities In the past seven months we have completed approximately 35 new activities all geared towards us achieving out stated strategic goals: Including: • Completed two surveys (Attitudinal Survey; Members Needs Assessment Survey) currently conducting a Tax Reform Survey.

President of GCCI at the Annual Dinner and Awards Ceremony held on December 6, 2012 at the Pegasus Hotel Guyana.

Tonight I’m among friends, colleagues, partners, supporters as we celebrate the best in business. Congrats in advance to all my business colleagues who are nominated tonight for these prestigious awards.

Year in Review This year we set out with a few strategic priorities in mind, the list of priorities are not exhaustive and prolix, but it is still pregnant with salient initiatives for moving the Chamber forward. First thing we established and adopted formally was the fact that the Chamber is a non-partisan, balanced and objective organization, working for a stable and

• 6 Seminars (Operational Management Seminar; Grant Financing Seminar – Carib-Export; Forensic Accounting Seminar; Banking and Investment Seminar; Marketing Seminar; Customer Service and helped the Linden Chamber host a B & I Seminar). • Two Dinners and One Luncheon (Launch of Business Guyana Magazine, Launch of Chamber’s Business Directory, and the Speaker of the National Assembly addressed the Biz Community at the Luncheon) • Hosted the Women’s Enterprise Expo in collaboration with the Women’s Entrepreneur’s Network

Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Annual Report 2012

• Created a new membership category that caters to the needs of the small business community • Established an Advocacy Committee to pronounce on policy issues that affect the business community (looking at issues of Intellectual property rights, Tax reform, The competitiveness strategy,) • Resuscitated the Guyana-India Joint Business Council in collaboration with the Indian High Commission and led by former Chamber President Manniram Prashad. We are also working with our private sector counterparts in Russia to establish business ties and the Russian Embassy has been very helpful on this initiative. • Reorganized and employed additional staff to increase the Chamber’s Secretariat competencies, also developed an operational procedural manual for the office • Partnered with Digicel Guyana, Courts and German’s Restaurant to fund the production of 3 films for Cine Guyana (one of which will premier tonight) • Attracted 15 new members • We hear of whispers from some people that the Chamber is doing too much…to those people, I just want to say that’s not a bad problem to have and we will continue with the same velocity in the new year….

Wish list: It would indeed be remiss and imprudent of me, if at this time of year, I don’t take the opportunity to announce my Christmas wish list for the private sector:

63 1. Local Gov’t reform and Elections (simply put, we need a cleaner Georgetown!). I am heartened by the tabling of four legislative bills that were presented in the current Parliament, and which currently rest in Select Committees, that work towards a new local government system. The Chamber hopes to have a chance to review those and offer its own input. 2. Compromise and Cooperation in Parliament and between the executive and the legislature. Compromise is not easy and neither party can solve our challenges by dogmatically defending its core tenets and refusing to compromise on basic principles that fuels development. To echo the sentiments of Mexico’s President Enrique Nieto “we have to negotiate to build consensus. Now is the decisive hour in the history of the country that demands that politicians use common ground to reach essential agreement.” In Addition, parliamentarians should respect the process and procedures of Parliament and respect the will and rulings of the Speaker of the House. 3. Accelerated and holistic tax reform. Tax reform should be done in a comprehensive manner as opposed to a disjointed or fractional manner. Furthermore, I await the results of the ternary committee that was established by his Excellency President Ramotar to recommend bold reform of our tax system. 4. The actualization and completion of Amaila Falls Hydro power project. No secret that high electricity costs is a major constraint and impediment to our private sector development, hence our full and unequivocal support for this project. 5. A metamorphosis and transformation of the UG.

Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry

64 The University of Guyana must be transformed into a hub for national research and Development and also to produce a competent and qualified skilled labor force that meets the needs of the Private Sector 6. Full and comprehensive security sector reform. I call on the government to review our entire security sector with the aim of reviewing, restructuring, upgrading and enhancing our entire security apparatus, Including our police force, the prison system and the military…. 7. A development bank that speaks to the needs of small businesses. Micro and small businesses, new and innovative economic ventures, just to identify a few, are all considered risky by traditional commercial banks…we need a development bank, preferably structured in the public-private partnership model, that offers longer term lending, lower interests rates and less onerous collateral requirements 8. More transparency and accountability in the way we mange our public sector and private sector organizations. This should be one of the highest priorities for our national leaders and public officials as this builds trust with the public. That trust is achieved by providing accurate and complete information on expenditures, projects and other transactions. 9. We need the expeditious establishment of the Public Procurement Commission (PPC). Which is tasked with oversight responsibilities for public procurement. This would ensure the economic and efficient use of public funds in the procurement of goods, works and services through processes that are competitive, transparent and nondiscriminatory. I would add the granting of private sector concessions to the mandate of the PPC,

Annual Report 2012 making it the PP&CC. 10. A more balanced Media that is objective and responsible in the way they report events and the news…. 11. We need the emergence (or re) of Civil society groups to add their voices to the national conversation. We need an energized, galvanized and inspirited Civil society to contribute to, and keep our policy makers focused on, national development…our religious, professional, workers, gender, students, journalists, consumers, and human rights organizations all have an integral role in the development process, least we risk public policy being decided solely by political actors. This wish list might sound familiar to most of you, because it represents the initiatives and activities that our private sector organizations have been consistent in advocating and will continue to do so.

New way Guyana is on the edge of an unprecedented level of economic development, we can blow or jeopardize this opportunity if we continue with the way in which we currently engage each other. We need a new way: We must respect process and systems in our homes, communities, businesses, parliament, public institutions, and judiciary • We must work toward getting to yes in negotiating solutions that benefit our country and not get bogged down in uncompromising positions • The good and what’s best for our country’s development must always be the overriding objective of everything that we do. Simply put we need to proceed as One People, One Nation, and One Destiny! Good Night and Thank you.

Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Annual Report 2012

Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Annual Report 2012

Export Earnings continue to Expand Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh in his presentation of the Mid-Year Financial Report for 2012 announced that Guyana’s economy recorded a 2.8% growth in real Gross Domestic Product (GDP). He further stated that the comprehensive assessment of the country’s economy over the course of the first half of the year demonstrated a continued trend of positive real economic growth. Minister Singh stated, “This growth reflects continued progress on the diversification of the productive sector where we have now arrived at a point where we are no longer as we were 10 years ago, entirely dependent on one, two or three dominant sectors.” The report indicated that the domestic economy achieved real growth of 2.8 percent, with non-sugar gross domestic product expanding by 6.2 percent. Additionally an overall growth for the year is now projected at 3.8 percent and non-sugar growth at 3.9

percent and total export earnings grew by 9.2 percent to US$592.1 million. Gold was a major contributor to the economy, production grew by 13.2 percent to 184,929 ounces and export earnings amounted to US$268 million, pushing it to an increase of 16.8 percent over the corresponding period in 2011. Additionally, the bauxite sector grew by 41.9 percent and the export earnings amounted to US$79.4 million, an increase of 21.8 percent over the corresponding period in 2011. Rice production also expanded by 1.4 percent to 210,395 tons and export earnings amounted to US$84.6 million. Data received from the Bureau of Statistics for the period January 2012 to September 2012 indicates that Guyana’s major exports were: Gold, Rice, Bauxite and Sugar.

Figure 1. Exports by Country of Destination COUNTRY

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA UNITED KINGDOM VENEZUELA CANADA TRINIDAD & TOBAGO JAMAICA GERMANY UKRAINE KINGDOM OF THE NETHERLANDS PORTUGAL OTHER COUNTRIES TOTAL

VALUE

CONTRIBUTION

(US$’000)

(%)

215,837.9 100,762.6 95,515.0 66,508.6 43,831.6 36,231.7 35,788.6 21,478.6 20,258.3 18,796.2 302,518.5 582,105.1

22.5 10.5 10.0 6.9 4.6 3.8 3.7 2.2 2.1 2.0 31.6 100.0

Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Annual Report 2012

Figure 3. Exports by Item (Including Re-Exports) ITEM

Gold Rice Bauxite Sugar Shrimp and Prawns Timber Prepared Foods Fish and By-Product Diamond Molasses Other Exports Re-Exports TOTAL

VALUE (US$’000)

489,442.7 128,800.1 110,063.9 77,234.6 38,337.1 29,149.3 17,747.3 10,881.1 5,661.8 4,175.8 28,702.0 17,331.8 582,105.1

CONTRIBUTION (%) 51.1 13.5 11.5 8.1 4.0 3.0 1.9 1.1 0.6 0.4 3.0 1.8 100.0

68 E

Figure 2. Exports by Country of Destination

Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Annual Report 2012

Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Annual Report 2012

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF THE GEORGETOWN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (AN ENTITY INCORPORATED BY AN ACT OF PARLIAMENT) ON THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2012 Report on the Financial Statements We have audited the accompanying financial statements of The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry which comprise the statement of financial position as at 31 December 2012 and the statement of income, statement of changes in equity and statement of cash flows for the year then ended, and a summary of significant accounting policies and other explanatory notes as set out on pages 2 to 12. Directors’/Management’s Responsibility for the Financial Statements The Directors/ Management are responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of these financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards. This responsibility includes: designing, implementing and maintaining internal control relevant to the preparation and fair presentation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error; selecting and applying appropriate accounting policies; and making accounting estimates that are reasonable in the circumstances. Auditors’ Responsibility Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit. We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing. Those standards require that we comply with ethical requirements and plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance whether the financial statements are free from material misstatement. An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. The procedures selected depend on the auditors’ judgement, including the assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error. In making those risk assessments, the auditor considers internal control relevant to the entity’s preparation and fair presentation of the financial statements in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the entity’s internal control. An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates made

Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Annual Report 2012

by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinion. Opinion In our opinion, the financial statements give a true and fair view, in all material respects of the financial position of The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry as at 31 December 2012 and of its financial performance and its cash flows for the year then ended in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards. Report on Other Legal and Regulatory Requirements The financial statements comply with the requirements of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry Act.

TSD LAL & CO. CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS (An Independent Correspondent Firm of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu) Date: 77 Brickdam, Stabroek, Georgetown, Guyana

Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Annual Report 2012

THE GEORGETOWN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (AN ENTITY INCORPORATED BY AN ACT OF PARLIAMENT) NOTES ON THE ACCOUNTS 1. Incorporation and activities

The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce was established in 1889. In 1982, by an Act of Parliament, the name was changed to Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

If the Chamber is wound up, every person who is a member at the time of winding-up, or has ceased to be a member within the twelve months proceeding the winding-up, shall be liable to contribute to the assets of the Chamber, for payment of the debts and liabilities of the chamber contracted before the time at which he ceased to be a member.

The objectives of the Chamber are:(a) the promotion and protection in Guyana of trade and services, local, regional and foreign; (b) to promote and encourage the development in Guyana of primary industries and manufacturing and processing operations with the use as far as possible of local raw materials and expertise and the application of modern and efficient methods of maintenance standards of safety and labour relations; (c) to encourage adherence by manufacturers to proper qualitative standards in their products; (d) to promote within and outside Guyana by means of advertisement, trade fairs and in any other manner, the consumption and the use of goods manufactured or produced in Guyana; (e) to assist in the procurement of overseas markets for goods produced in Guyana; (f) to collect and disseminate statistical and other information relating to commerce, trade, manufacture and industry; (g) to use its good offices in the settlement of disputes involving members of the local commercial and industrial community;

Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Annual Report 2012 THE GEORGETOWN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (AN ENTITY INCORPORATED BY AN ACT OF PARLIAMENT)

NOTES ON THE ACCOUNTS

1. Incorporation and activities -contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d (h) to consider all matters connected with trade, manufacture, industry and commerce and where appropriate, to make representations and express an opinion or take a position on any such matters; (i) to initiate, promote or to comment on actual or proposed legislative, regulatory or administrative measures affecting trade, manufacture or industry and to communicate or co-operate with the appropriate governmental institutions in respect of such measures; (j) to encourage generally but more particularly among the membership, the adherence to ethical standards in trade, manufacture, industry and commerce and to aid and support in any manner other associations or bodies having objects similar to those of the Chamber; (k) to amalgamate or affiliate with any institution having objects similar to those of the Chamber, and in the event of an amalgamation to transfer the property of the Chamber to any such institution; and (l) to do all such things as may be requisite and necessary for the attainment of the objects of the Chamber, including the receiving and donation of gifts, investing the income and funds of the Chamber and the borrowing of money.

Accounting policies

(a) Accounting convention

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention as modified by the revaluation of fixed assets.

(b) During the year new and revised standards, amendments and interpretations came into effect. There was no major standards and amendments adopted by the entity.

Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Annual Report 2012

None of the new standards, interpretations and amendments to standards is expected to have a significant impact on the entity’s accounting policies.

THE GEORGETOWN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (AN ENTITY INCORPORATED BY AN ACT OF PARLIAMENT) NOTES ON THE ACCOUNTS

Accounting policies cont’d

No depreciation is provided on freehold property.

The estimated value and useful life of the building is such that any depreciation would be immaterial.

Depreciation is charged on the straight line method at the rate of 10 – 50% on office furniture, fittings and equipment.

(d)

Revenue and expense recognition

Income and expenses are recognized in the statement of income on an accrual basis.