Georgetown: Business Minister Dominic Gaskin is currently reviewing a list of possible men and women to fill the role of Board of Directors (BOD) for GO-Invest for the remainder of the year. He stated that he would be considering a member from the political Opposition to fill a seat on the seven member board.
In a telephone interview Saturday evening, Minister Gaskin told the Guyana Times that he is planning to make the investing and exporting agency work to regulations, and the installation of the new BOD will enable this.
The Minister stated that the seven members of the board will be selected from the Ministry of Business, the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), the Foreign Affairs Ministry, the Tourism Ministry, Guyana Lands and Survey Commission, and the Private Sector Commission (PSC).
He detailed that members from the political Opposition, as well as the Diaspora, will also be given seats to ensure balance. Minister Gaskin stated that he does not have a shortlist of persons that he is considering at the moment; however, he posited that he would like a balanced representation and having a member of the Opposition on the team will facilitate this. Nevertheless, the Minister stated that he shall be making the appointments based on the criteria that have already been established for the positions.
It should be noted that GO-Invest is a government agency that was established to provide advice and concessions, when needed, to investors who are looking for the best way to start a business in Guyana. The agency also acts as a go between for business persons wanting to be a part of the local economy.
Recently in the media, Go-Invest has been criticised as being quite prejudiced in its dealings with some of its clients, particularly foreign companies. The Minister said that such instances are a thing of the past, stating that the new board will ensure that the agency “work and make it work along Government’s policies.”
The President of the Private Sector Commission (PSC), Ramesh Persaud, told this publication that such companies appear to benefit more from investment opportunities or concessions that were given earlier than the locally based companies. He expressed his hope that this changes soon.
Meanwhile, though there have been calls for the reviewing of concessions, Minister Gaskin stated that this not on his agenda at the moment. He stated that he is opting to look forward, and with the improvements made to Go-Invest through the BOD, such cries of favouritism will not be made.
The Minister stated that the board will run the completion of the year then a new board will be installed next year.
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