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GMSA and Ministry of Finance Meeting for

Second Inter-Ministerial Roundtable.

Focus on the Agro-processing Sector

Minister of Finance - Hon. Winston Jordan,
GMSA President - Mr. Shyam Nokta and
First Vice President- Mr. Ramsay Ali at the
2nd Ministerial Committee focused on
Agro-processing.

he Second Inter – Ministerial Round Table with the Carlos Mendonca, and GMSA Executive, Mr. Raymond
Guyana Manufacturing Services and Association Ramsaroop.
T(GMSA) was held on Wednesday 9th May, 2018 at
the Ministry of Finance. The GMSA provided an overview of the agro-processing
sector in Guyana identifying the national importance of
The Round Table, with focus on Agro-processing was the sector as recognized by several keynote strategic
chaired by the Minister of Finance, Mr. Winston Jordan documents – the LCDS and now the GSDS Framework;
and included Minister of Business, Mr. Dominic Gaskin, the economic contribution of the sector, and the
Minister of Public Infrastructure, Mr. David Patterson, potential of agro-processing to meet domestics as well
Minister of Indigenous Affairs, Mr. Sydney Allicock, as regional and international food demands. A
Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Noel Holder, Minister of Local comprehensive presentation was made on challenges
Government, Mr. Ronald Bulkan, Commissioner facing the agro-processing sector and among the key
General of Guyana Revenue Authority, Mr. Godfrey areas identied were the policy framework for
Statia, Director of Budget, Ms. Sonya Roopnauth and agriculture and agro-processing; legislation; access to
Head of Projects, Mr. Tarachand Balgobin of the Ministry raw materials; standards; nancing especially for small
of Finance. and medium scale operators; reliable, stable and
affordable energy; incentives; packaging and labelling;
The GMSA delegation was led by its President, Mr. market access and trade barriers. For each of these
Shyam Nokta, and including 1st Vice-President, Mr. areas, the GMSA outlined a menu of interventions for
Ramsay Alli, 2nd Vice-President, Mr. Ramesh Dookhoo, Government's consideration along with the possible
Chair of the GMSA Agro-processing Sub-sector, Mr. impact it would have, as well as the organisation's own

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