GCCI and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs discuss collaboration on anti-corruption initiatives, elections and increasing stakeholder consultations
President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mrs. Kathy Smith; Secretary, Mrs. Kristia Ramlagan-Prescott; Councillor and Executive Member, Mr Richard Rambarran, and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Hon. Gail Teixeira on April 2 discussed a wide range of issues including collaborating for increased government stakeholder consultation with the GCCI and increasing education on anti-corruption practices and measures within the private sector, as well as preparations for the upcoming General and Regional Elections.
The GCCI Executives paid a courtesy visit to the Minister at her office during which they engaged her on these areas. Minister Teixeira noted that as the lead coordinating body for reports required as part of Guyana’s Treaty Reporting commitment which includes anti-corruption framework, particularly the Inter-American Convention against corruption, one of the focus areas is the inclusion of the private sector in anti-corruption practices and measures. As such, she was pleased with the Chamber’s expression of interest in increasing collaboration. Mr. Rambarran noted that the GCCI’s Code of Conduct, that speaks to anti-corruption and dissuading corrupt practices, allows for the removal of members for violations. He stated that the Chamber is interested in integrating these anti-corruption frameworks being implemented by the Ministry into this Code of Conduct.
Of importance, too, were discussions surrounding the flouting of Local Content laws via loopholes by foreign companies operating in Guyana’s oil and gas industry. President Smith stated, “Some of the large companies are creating multiple companies to access the opportunities that are there for smaller businesses. In some cases, too, the local partners are only partners on paper—they are not getting the benefits that they ought to.” As such, she raised this issue with the minister as it is one of the matters the Chamber is seeking to address frontally. Talks also delved into the upcoming General and Regional Elections and preparations for polling day.
