Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) President Clinton Urling said the ongoing political impasse in the National Assembly is significantly affecting the national economy as it is “scaring away investors”. This, he noted could pose a threat to the local business community.
Urling raised these concerns last Friday evening as the GCCI launched its 2013/ 2014 Business Directory Magazine at the Pegasus Hotel.
He said the uncompromising stance that prevails between government and the combined parliamentary opposition does not bode well for international transactions and can hurt the country’s international ratings.
“I recently met with an ambassador who is not based in Guyana but has responsibility for Guyana, who said to me that his investors… they’re now reconsidering and would be worried whether to invest in Guyana because of the political uncertainty that exists.”
As such, he charged politicians to explore ways in which they can meet a political consensus and called on civil society to support the chamber in its call for agreement by politicians for projects of national interest.
“I want to urge all the parliamentarians to review legislation that was presented in Parliament, review those legislation on merit and worthiness and also ensure that it meets the threshold with transparency and accountability,” he said.
He added: “Let’s get on with the business of local government elections… establishing the Integrity Commission… establishing the Ombudsman Office… establishing the Procurement Commission… [and] passing and legislating the anti-money laundering and terrorism bills.”
Move swiftly
He also urged President Donald Ramotar to move swiftly in assenting to the four local government bills which have been passed in the National Assembly.
Urling also voiced concerns regarding what seems to be an upsurge in widespread criminal activity in the country.
Urling said while many are calling for the resignation of Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee, he does not believe such a move will turn around the crime situation.
The Guyana Police Force, he pointed out, should be held responsible, since it is responsible to protect the country’s people.
