Page 53 - GMSA 2017 AR Print for flip1

ANNUAL PRESENTATION OF AWARDS AND DINNER 2017

Additionally, speaking on the alleged ban of Greenheart into the and engage the membership through the improved functioning
UK, he clarified that there was no such ban. He related, “Instead, of key sector subcommittees, monthly newsletters, and an
there is a process in place to ensure that whatever is imported is improved and user friendly website.
of an appropriate standard and from sustainable resources. I say
there is no ban because Guyanese greenheart is already being According to Mr Nokta, “no doubt, these have helped to raise the
exported to the UK, most notably from Iwokrama, under their profile of the GMSA, to spark renewed interest among existing
forestry Standards Council Certification. That is the key point members, and to encourage new members. I am pleased to say
certification.” that in 2017, we have welcomed five... close to 10 new members.
After not having an Executive Director for many years, we are
He further encouraged continued and strengthened trade currently in the process of recruiting one and this will make a
between the UK and Guyana and also took the opportunity big difference in strengthening the Secretariat and our ability to
to emphasis the UK Government’s support for democracy in do more.”
Guyana.
In 2018, according to Mr Nokta, the GMSA will increase its focus on
Those present at the Awards and Dinner ceremony heard that the oil and gas industry, as he noted that a strong Local Content
the GMSA’s major highlights for 2017 include the Ministerial Framework is critical to ensuring that local businesses can be
Roundtable Discussions, which will continue in 2018 and provided with the opportunity to participate in and benefit from
Uncapped – its signature agro-processors expo held in October this sector. However, he cautioned that Guyana needs to adopt
which saw over 60 exhibitors from across Guyana, showcasing a systematic approach and not be too prescriptive too early. He
their products over a period of 3 days. commended the Centre for Business Development and DAI for
the work they are doing while encouraging more GMSA members
GMSA President Shyam Nokia, who delivered remarks at the to take advantage of the orientation and training opportunities
event, in making direct reference to Uncapped, said it has from the Centre.
certainly demonstrated that the GMSA can take on an activity
of such scale and magnitude and the over 4000 visitors who The GMSA President said too that he was pleased that a number
attended can attest to being awed by the range of products of the proposals made by the Association were included in the
being produced locally which many persons were unaware of. 2018 National Budget measures. Among those measures are
He explained that awareness raising and networking were the those related to the forestry and wood processing sector, which
principal objectives of the event and the GMSA believed these included the exemption of VAT on logs and rough lumber as
were achieved to a large extent. well as the budgetary allocation of $120 million to commence a
national forest inventory. In addition, recognition was given to the
Organisationally, he noted, efforts have also redoubled to involve budgetary allocation of $50 million to partner with the private

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