The possibilities of partnerships...

panelists were Dr. Martin Pertab (Head of the Local Content Secretariat Guyana), Nicholas Deygoo (CEO, Vreed-enhoop), Mr. Timothy Tucker (CEO RID-O-PES INC) Dr. Kwame Baah Nuakoh (GM Strategy and Investment GNPC) Mr. Bobby Gossai Jnr (Senior Petroleum Coordinator at the Ministry of Natural Resources), Prof. Suresh Narine (Executive Co-Chairman, CGX Group, Canada, Guyana) O-A Danquah ( CEO, Ghana National Petroleum Corporation ) Egbert Faibillie Jr (CEO, Petroleum Commission, Ghana)

Prof Paloma Mohamed Martin (Vice Chancellor, University of Guyana) Nora Wahab (Business Development Manager, Rigworld Group, Ghana) Tony Harris (President & CEO e-Magic Inc, Canada, Guyana), Beatrice Mensah-Tayui (CEO Cybele Energy Inc, USA, West Africa) Felicity L. Jaforktuk (Zeepay, Country Manager, Barbados and Guyana) ,Kweku Boateng (Director, Local Content, PC, Ghana) Stanley Raja Ahorlu Esq (MD, Prime Meridian Docks, Ghana).

During these discussions, I realised how much we can learn from the players in the Ghana Oil and Gas Industry and was happy to hear VP Dr Bharrat Jagdeo expressing at the conference that he is supporting the Chamber and the joint venture partnership with the two counties. I found the info interesting. Although this is not an industry I am familiar with,

I have an interest in spinoff business ventures. I learnt a few things from Mr Bossai’s and Mr Pertab’s presentation.

1.The development of local content benefits for the Guyanese economy with effective partnerships and joint ventures from our local companies working with the right foreign partners.

2. The development of better linkages for direct and indirect businesses of the oil and gas sector and other positive externalities for related sectors and industries. These are all part of growing the economy both for the oil and non-oil economy.

3. Measuring local content growth within the economy and providing for new areas of local content application for the oil and gas sector.

4. Adjusting our targets and applying new areas of economic opportunities for businesses. This is being done in a consultative manner with the local private sector.

5. Ensuring that there is sustainable business growth, linkages with the economy and cooperation among the various industry players that can foster better business opportunities.

6. Providing a comprehensive legal and fiscal frame- work to manage the oil and gas sector with improved policies, laws and institutions.

Nick Daygoo gave a presentation on VEHSI (Vreeden Hoop Shore Base Inc.) is a joint venture between NRG Holdings Inc., a Guyanese consortium of majority locally-owned businesses. What stuck with me in the presentation is VEHSI is committed to providing community benefits through employment opportunities, environmental stewardships, provision of technical advancement programmes, supporting education delivery and social cohesion in Region Three because not very often we hear how the people will benefit. Other presenters were Mr. O-A Danquah (CEO, GNPC Kofi Abban,Group CEO, Rigworld International Group Stanley Raja Ahorlu Esq (MD, Prime Meridian Docks, Ghana Nicholas Amenyo (Business Development Manager, Rigworld Group, Ghana Mr. Rodney K. Acquah (Manager, Monitoring and Evaluation of the Petroleum Commission).

Stanley Amerteifio, CEO GCCG said, “We would say the conference,being the first of its kind to be conducted by the Chamber was successful.

The patronage was good although we would have loved for more Guy-