– owner says Guyanese can expect low prices and high quality
As Guyana continues to see a boom in its construction industry, a hardware company out of Trinidad, R Maye Inc, owned by Guyanese Rajendra Maye, has made a timely investment here to add to the supply of related materials.
R Maye Guyana Incorporated, at Lot 477 Plantation Site, Providence, East Bank Demerara, was officially opened on Saturday evening. In attendance were the employees of the new hardware store, President Donald Ramotar and Housing and Water Minister Irfaan Ali. Giving the feature address, President Ramotar acknowledged the timely establishment of the business, noting that it will contribute significantly to Guyana’s housing and construction sectors.
“Our housing programme is moving apace; our construction industry is now contributing significantly to the economy of Guyana… this investment is coming at a time when you have so many other investments coming through and at the same time, offering a product that will be very competitive,” he said.
Almost 100 jobs created
He noted that the new hardware store presents competition not only in price but in terms of the stock of products needed on the local market. He also acknowledged the attendant benefit of job creation, as close to 100 persons are now employed there.
“Maye gives a service to many people who are in construction, because he is giving a service of quality and at the same time, competitive price, while making a contribution to the economy of our country and to the development of all the things that we have,” Ramotar said.
During the opening ceremony, the owner of the entity said the investment, which costs Gy$1 billion, stemmed from a conversation involving himself, President Ramotar and Minister Ali a few years ago in Trinidad.
“I’m going to give the people the best price I could. It is the cheapest, the quality is the best. The reason why they would get it through me is because I manufacture about 50 percent of my products that I sell, like everything for roofing, from windows to PVC pipes,” Maye outlined.
While he assured the Guyanese public of the best prices on the local market, he explained that they will not be as fortunate as their Trinidadian counterparts, because there is a vast difference in the cost of energy, which makes costs higher in Guyana.
He said the manufacturing aspect of his company is also expected to be opened in Guyana, but the lack of affordable energy is currently a hindrance.
“Energy is cheaper in Trinidad, so that’s the reason why the manufacture aspect wouldn’t be such a benefit as in Trinidad. It is a cost factor, because everything relies on energy so once energy is expensive, the price will go up,” he explained.
He added that with the realisation of hydro power here, Guyana will be able to benefit from cheaper energy and all the economic benefits that stem from it.
