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GOVERNANCE & ADVOCACY
forest governance needs to be enhanced to facilitate the receipt the agro-processing exhibition which was schedule to be held at
of funding through carbon credits. the end of October 2017.

Nokta related that the liberalization of telecommunications The GMSA Vice President also reminded the participants of the
sector was also pivotal towards the forward movement of the benefits of lucrative collaborations as he pointed to the private
Information, Communication and Technology Sector (ICT) as sector/Government effort in raising eleven 20 ft. containers of
whole as he reiterated the need for a clear strategy to stimulate supplies for the hurricane-ravaged islands.
and incentivize the private sector and a need for collaboration
among stakeholders. Forestry and Wood Processing

The GMSA President praised the benefits that have been Former GMSA President Mehender Chand, who also made a
garnered from the creation of a national strategic framework presentation at the PSC Business Summit, pointed out that
that saw private sector agencies and the Government working forestry is not only about logging – it encompasses an entire
together to remove barriers to the growth and modernization chain of supply as the forestry and wood sector are the only
of small, medium and large scale businesses as he referenced natural resources that add value to over 60% of raw resources.
the former National Development Strategy, the former the
National Competitiveness Strategy then later the Low Carbon Chand said that Guyana is among the top 10 countries that
Development Strategy. practices Sustainable Forest Management and has a highly
regulated traceability system yet the sector has the highest level
He did also recognize the importance of the current Green State of monetary penalties and receives the lowest level of benefits
Development Strategy (GSDS) which being developed and is from carbon funding. He explained too that Forest Concession
demonstrative of the continuous commitment to sustainable holders have invested large sums into infrastructure in the
development in keeping with Guyana’s obligations to the Paris hinterland of Guyana and this has opened up access to other
Agreement. land users including miners.

Building partnerships, collaborations It was pointed out that during the period 2014 to 2017, log
production decreased from 250,000 m3 to approximately
Meanwhile, GMSA Vice President Ramsay Ali, addressing the 100,000 m3 while log exportation remained constant. Building
Summit on its second day, explained that stakeholders hold material imports increased from approximately US$ 25 million
the nation’s future in their hands as leaders of industry, civil in 1999 to approximately US$ 118 million in 2015. To enhance
society, Parliamentary Opposition and decision makers in the industry collaboration and facilitation several recommendations
Government. were offered including the need to complete the review of
the National Forestry Policy and Plan; revamping of efforts at
Ali said that there is need for Government and the Private Sector marketing and promotion of forest products; capacity building
to continue to collaborative on issues and areas of mutual benefit and skills training; incentives and support for retooling of the
if the local business climate is to become more competitive and sector and support for road infrastructure development and
the country’s economic situation is to improve. maintenance in the State Forest area.

He underscored the importance of several past and present Several other GMSA Executives also participated in Panel
collaborative forums which have shaped the vision of the local Discussions. Mr. Clem Duncan participated on the Panel
private sector significantly as he referenced another collaborative addressing Markets and Major General Ret’d Norman McLean
effort was the recently developed forum titled “Guyana Trade and Ms. Jocelyn Williams were on the Panel addressing Human
and Exhibition Investment Show” aimed at matching suppliers Capital Development.
with buyers and which is scheduled to be held in April 2018, and

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