Linden looks to increase trade with Brazil border state

BY SHAWNETTE FIEDTKOU

A nine-member delegation from the Brazilian state of Roraima visited the mining town of Linden in an effort to strengthen ties between the private sectors of both towns.

The team, led by Edson Gonsalves Rosa, was invited by the Linden Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Development (LCCID) to address issues affecting the initiation of trade.

At the beginning stages of the dialogue, the Brazilian delegation and the Linden Chamber of Commerce body discussed the language barrier, and made suggestions such as collaboration between the universities of Guyana and Brazil to put systems in place to address this. It was also suggested that a website that will provide continuous translation (English to Portuguese, and Portuguese to English) be set up to facilitate both sides. This will aid the pace at which information is transferred between the parties.

One of the major topics discussed during the dialogue was the state of the Lethem/Linden road. This was regarded as the biggest obstacle to the initiation of trade.

“Unless the road is fixed, the movement of goods cannot take place. Integration is going to be slow because this whole thing is about having Guyanese products go to Brazil, Brazil goods come to Guyana, and through Guyana the Caribbean and the rest of the world,” the LCCID vice chairman Noland Walton posited.

Roraima’s international relationship secretary Eduardo Oesterreich mentioned the tourism potential of the two countries and opined that Guyana has a lot to offer. LCCID President Mervin Burns acknowledged the tourism potential, and noted that at the last Linden Expo, which was held last April, the focus was on “Linden being the hub for international trade”. He reiterated his point by making mention of the Demerara as the most commercially viable river and the one that is most active in Guyana, since it provides a link to all international markets.

The reason that trade ships do not visit Linden is because Linden has neither the demand nor the market, but with the link, it was reiterated, trade ships that dock in Georgetown can likewise dock in Linden. This was noted as viable for the Brazilian investors, as it was stated by a member of the delegation that carrying goods across Brazil is very difficult, but “Guyana has the potential that we don’t have”. It was also stated that Brazilian investors are willing to invest in constructing the roadway, because it will be feasible for them, as well as Guyana, when Linden becomes a port for trade activities and sees Guyana as the country’s best transport option.

The chamber told the delegation that it has little influence on the construction of the road, but recommended that SABRAE approach the government to speed up the process. It was recognised that both governments are aware of the road’s importance.

Another important element that came out of the discussion was the suggestion made by the chief executive officer of the Linden Enterprise Network in regard to the implementation of a commission that would address challenging issues that are affecting the integration of the two markets.

The visiting delegation spoke of a gastronomy, agriculture and culture festival, slated for November 10 to 13 at Boa Vista, where a special effort will be made to have Guyanese advertise their products in the Brazilian market. It was also mentioned that a similar festival be held here in Guyana in an effort to strengthen partnership.

The Brazilians also expressed intention to take a Guyanese chef to the festival to teach Brazilians how to prepare Guyanese dishes, so that visiting Guyanese can enjoy their local cuisine. In November of last year, Linden businesses participated in the trade fair at Boa Vista, where products were displayed by visual media such as digital videos.

The visiting team, which included members of SEBRAE, a private sector organisation of the State of Roraima, toured Guyana for two weeks, mainly to see what Guyana has to offer in sectors such as culture, agriculture, aquaculture, transport, tourism, logistics and private sector businesses. Shicka Pires, logistics consultant, speaking to the LCCID, stated that “things are not as difficult as they seem to be”, relating to trade between the two countries. The Brazilian side noted that there are fears associated with commencement of trade on the part of Guyana, but the local chamber president suggested that the visiting team can find out more about the fears and come up with a way to eradicate them within the two weeks of its sojourn, so as to commence smooth trade agreements. During its stay, the team intended to find out what Guyana produces and what it imports so that measures can be put in place for regional integration.

The Brazilian delegation disclosed that it produces very large quantities of soya beans. It presently has 11,000 hectares under soya bean cultivation, and is expected to produce about 40,000 hectares of that commodity for the year. The delegation accordingly aimed to attract investors to the state of Roraima.