Georgetown: An efficient and modern port system, capable of effectively servicing world commerce is, money in the bank.
This view was expressed by President of the Caribbean Shipping Association(CSA) Mr. Grantley Stephenson during a feature address at the Annual Dinner and Presentation of Awards of the Shipping Association of Guyana(SAG) .
He said: “The development of the Georgetown Port at this time is crucial for the Guyanese economy .”
Mr Stephenson stressed that investment in infrastructure and particularly marine ports which allow efficient movement and docking of merchant ships will yield rich dividends and bolster national economies.
By the same token – countries which do not provide facilities for their producers to exploit world markets will achieve relatively little growth.
He reiterated that national economic growth based on world trade cannot be sustained without an efficient port supported by a ground transportation system of roads or waterways.
He said that it was no secret that well-developed ports and harbours, along with efficient roads and waterways will yield rich dividends for a people.
“The initiative to expand the Panama Canal and the consequent moves by nearly every port in this region to upgrade, modernise and expand their facilities are worthy of note.”
He added that from the point of view of the CSA it was therefore heartening to see that the public and private sectors in Guyana are trying to come together to make the upgrading and modernization of Port Georgetown, the main port, happen in the shortest possible time.
He said: ”The good people of Guyana deserve no less than total collaboration of all stakeholders in this noble quest for development.”.
He cautioned the SAG to ensure that their initiative to modernize the Georgetown Port should not be seen by the people of Guyana as merely a shipping project for the benefit only those in the maritime sector … because it wasn’t.
“It is important that all the people of Guyana understand that this development is not about the shipping sector; it is not about narrow self-interest. On the contrary, it is about the economic development of their country and an investment which will reap real benefits for them, their children and their children’s children. All will benefit.”
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