Guyana to push for early payment of REDD+ funds

Guyana intends to continue strong advocacy and negotiation for early disbursement of funds for Reducing Emission from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) actions. Efforts will also be made in concurrence with the role of carbon markets in generating REDD+ financing; more ambitious emission reduction targets by industrialised countries and the full operationalisation of the Green Climate Fund. This was affirmed by Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh during his 2012 National Budget presentation on March 30 in the National Assembly. Minister Singh highlighted Guyana’s leading role in achieving a REDD decision…

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Store owners contemplating next move

In the aftermath of the devastating fire that ripped through a building housing several businesses on Regent Street on Sunday, April 1, storeowners are contemplating their next move, even as the Mayor and City Council has begun clearing the debris from the burnt out site. In an invited comment on Tuesday, Prakash (only name given), one of the storeowners told Guyana Times International that since the calamity, he has distanced himself from viewing the remains of what he referred to as his “daily bread”. “Since the fire, I just can’t…

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People power: Many dictators

Satiricus is happy. He is happy that APANU has rejected Pressie’s claim that the opposition was a ‘dictator of one’ in Parliament. How dare he?! The voice of the people is the voice of God, wasn’t it? And the people had spoken. The people had given APANU/KFC 33 seats in Parliament. APANU/AFC was not like the PPPEE – they were not fooling around. The people had given APANU/KFC power in Parliament. They were a dictatorship of 33, not 1! To paraphrase Rodney, it was “People’s power! Many dictators!” “Well, the…

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Gy$26.5B allocated to transform Guyana’s education sector

This year’s national budget is not complete without the necessary investments being made towards improving the wellbeing of the entire population. Prior to last Friday’s reading of the budget in the National Assembly, it was being described as one that meets the needs of the Guyanese people while creating an environment where the aspirations of all are realised. In this regard, the Gy$26.6 billion allocated to the education sector is both timely and unprecedented. The Gy$192.8 billion budget was presented by Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh under the theme “Remaining…

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Jagdeo is new patron of World Sustainable Development Forum

Former President Bharrat Jagdeo has become a patron of the World Sustainable Development Forum. He joins former United Nations Secretary General Kofi Anan and 12 other world leaders to support the New Delhi-based institution’s work to influence global progress towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals and advancing sustainable development. The World Sustainable Development Forum draws on the advice of “distinguished patrons from government, industry and academia”. The patrons include Finland President Tarja Halonen; Norway Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg; Soros Fund Management Chairman George Soros; General Electric Company Chief Executive Officer…

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GuyExpo 2012 to focus on small, medium businesses – Minister Ali

Acting Tourism Minister Irfaan Ali said stronger focus will be placed on the development of small and medium size businesses as he launched GuyExpo 2012 on March 30, at the International Convention Centre, Lilendaal, Greater Georgetown. “GuyExpo 2012 is looking to have a forum, one that would focus on small businesses, medium size businesses, and we are hoping to have the forum in a way we can have linkages not only locally, but with regional and extra regional markets,” the minister said. Ali disclosed that he is looking to provide…

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Moraikobai on the rise

Moraikobai, a paradise tucked two-and-a-half miles up the Mahaicony Creek, is an Amerindian settlement that is perched on the brink of wide-ranging development. But maintaining its rich cultural roots in the face of all the improvements is one of the major challenges facing the village. The nearly 75-year-old village was discovered by Arawaks escaping war from the Carib tribe. Oral history has it that the village ancestors came across a big tree that had blocked the waterway, and essentially their path. Interestingly enough, the village name translates “Heart of the…

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Ramotar optimistic REPSOL, CGX will strike oil

Guyana’s domestic economy is poised for significant development over the coming years with the extractive industries playing a great part. Oil is one of the most looked forward to industry with government having high expectations of a find. On Friday, President Donald Ramotar had the opportunity to visit the two offshore oil rigs, REPSOL and CGX during which he expressed optimism for an oil discovery. Accompanied by First Lady Deolatchmee Ramotar, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud and other officials, President Ramotar was able to observe operations on board…

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De fire and a All Fools Corporation!

Now that April Fool’s Day officially gone, some believe de whole month should be designated given de way some does behave. Some even calling fuh de establishment of a All Fools Corporation which, fuh short, will be AFC! People not commenting openly about any “similarities” with another organisation with de same three letters. However, dem can’t help noticing how de already “established” one, trying fuh fool people. Nobody ain’t forget de biggest prank when it seh it independent and not part of de Palm Tree set up! In addition, it…

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Bring out the violin…

Beatification We spoke about the beatification of Burnham by his revisionist acolytes – some like Kissoon and Harripaul, newly converted by the opportunism of “the enemy of my enemy is my saint”! The common enemy – need one say – is the PPP. Well, it appears as we were writing our piece, Burnham’s hand-picked successor, Desmond Hoyte was also being canonised – by former head of the reform, Stanley Ming. It would appear that these fellows would leave no stone unturned in justifying their dancing with the devil. Who was…

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