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CONTENT

OUR MISSION, VISION & CORE VALUES

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REMARKS

PAST PRESIDENTS FROM 1889 – 2018

NEW MEMBERS

NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

128TH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

ORGANISATIONAL CHART

ENGAGE. INFLUENCE. ACHIEVE.

GCCI IN THE MEDIA 2018-2019

MEMBERSHIP BY SECTOR

MEMBERSHIP BY CATEGORY

MEMBERSHIP GROWTH

MEETINGS AND EVENTS

ANNUAL AWARDS PRESENTATION & GALA DINNER 2018

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT

STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MEMBERSHIP LIST

ANNUAL REPORT 2018-19 | 5

OUR MISSION, VISION & CORE VALUES Chamber Profile The GCCI is the oldest private sector representative organization in Guyana (established in 1890) and is a member-driven and professionally staffed non-profit association of business people committed to improving the economic climate and quality of life in Guyana. We are legislatively mandated under the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry Act Chapter 89:03 of the laws of Guyana. The Chamber’s strength lies in the size and diversity of its membership—both large and small businesses from virtually every sector are represented.

Mission The GCCI represents the voice of the business community in Guyana and strives to advocate policies, stimulate trade and investment, connect businesses, sustain economic growth and expand member opportunities with the aim of contributing to a stable and sustainable economic and social environment in Guyana where businesses can prosper.

8 | ANNUAL REPORT 2018-19

Core Values • COMMITMENT - The Chamber is in business for business and is committed to preserving a stable economic environment, responding to members’ needs, connecting businesses together, improving prosperity and business opportunities within Guyana. • INTEGRITY - The Chamber is a non-partisan, open, honest and accountable organisation, which bases its decisions on driving and supporting business development in Guyana. Our members also subscribe to a Code of Conduct in the execution of their operations. • COURTESY - It remains a core value of the Chamber that the contribution of its Council, its staff and members is valued and appreciated. • COLLABORATION - The Chamber values strong working relationships with other agencies and stakeholders.

GEORGETOWN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (GCCI)

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2019 It is an honor once again to report to you, on behalf of the Council of the GCCI for the financial year 2018-2019. The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI) continues to be a premier voice in the business community in Guyana. Our Chamber continues to be extremely vibrant, having 54 new members joining in 2018/19 financial year. As such, the GCCI has been able to amass 88 new members over the past two (2) years, a feat in itself. The Chamber now stands in excess of 240 members, many of whom continue to be extremely active in and benefitting from the work of their Chamber. The GCCI continues to have the distinction of being the oldest and largest Business Support Organization (BSO) in Guyana and naturally continues to facilitate larger, more high-profile events whilst maintaining its financial soundness and autonomy. ADVOCACY The past year was a fulfilling and successful one for the GCCI. The Chamber continued its work to provide value to members through continuous training, events and networking opportunities that allowed us to get a better understanding of how to better serve you and your needs. In continuing our advocacy efforts and success over the past year, the Georgetown Chamber has worked to make unique and significant contributions to improving the quality of life in the business community of Guyana. Our advocacy on issues impacting Guyana’s private sector was wide-ranging and we are proud of the positive influence we have made regarding decisions that help your businesses succeed and thrive. Some of the defining moments for the Chamber in the past year were: 1. Advocacy for local content legislation with focus on the oil and gas sector. The Chamber submitted a model Local Content legislation to the Government of Guyana in 2018 along with extensively commenting on government’s draft Local Content Policy. 2. Advocacy on the removal of the Sedition Clause in the Cybercrime Bill. 3. Advocacy on the Apiary industry barriers to trade with Trinidad 4. Advocacy on intra-CARICOM trade and non-tariff barriers to trade 5. Advocacy against Parking Meters in the City of Georgetown 6. Representation at the National Advisory Committee on External Negotiations (NACEN) on external trade related matters. 7. Representation at the Regional Implementation of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) 8. Representation at the Civil Society Group (ConSoc Group) of the Inter-American Development Bank(IADB) 9. The formation of three (3) Trade Facilitation Councils with Cuba, India and Canada which continue to be active to promote trade and investment between these countries.

10. Formation of Dialogue committees to interface with key institutions such as Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), Guyana Police Force (GPF), Guyana Power & Light (GPL) amongst others 11. Participating in Community Outreach Programmes for the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GUYSUCO) 12. A partner organization for the launch of the inaugural Guyana Trade and Investment Exhibition (GUYTIE) 13. The Chamber’s Inaugural Business Development Forum (BDF) which was well received by attendees, and has since become a staple in our Calendar of Events. 14. The Chamber’s Inaugural Energy Forum. 15. The Development and Launch of the GCCI Business Guyana Magazine (BGM). 16. The Chamber’s public forum on the Sovereign Wealth Fund white paper. 17. The Chamber’s Employer-Employee Engagement Seminar 18. The Chamber’s National Insurance Scheme (NIS) information sessions 19. Fundraising events such as the Chamber’s quarterly business mixers and the Annual Awards Presentation & Gala Dinner. 20. The Oil & Gas Trade Mission to Aberdeen, Scotland which was spearheaded by the GCCI’s Senior Vice President Nick Boyer along with the Petroleum Committee. The GCCI remains dedicated to identifying issues that matter to our members so that we can effectively advocate for local business interests and craft programmes, events, trainings and seminars for supporting our members’ development. ANNUAL REPORT 2018-19 | 9

GEORGETOWN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (GCCI)

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE FINANCIALS AND PERFORMANCE Our financial position remains strong for Business Support Organization (BSO). The Net Surplus was G$6.650M for year 2018 (2017-G$5.609M), an improvement in performance over the preceding year. Importantly, Cash and Cash Equivalents totalled G$30.4M at the end of the year (2017-$24.6M). The revenue stream for the future looks promising as we continue our vigorous efforts to increase membership to the Chamber. TRADE FACILIATION In 2018, the GCCI worked assiduously for the improvement of bilateral trade relations as we actively sought out opportunities for doing business with regional and international partners. The Chamber’s efforts resulted in the formation of three (3) Trade Faciliation Councils with Cuba, Canada and India. Since establishment, the three Trade Faciliation Councils continue to meet on a monthly basis to discuss and execute activities designed to promote Guyanese export and foreign investment. These multi-stakeholder Council involve key agencies from the public sector as regards trade and investment, including Ministry of Business, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Guyana Office for Investment. Each Council is chaired by a member of the GCCI. The scope of work of the Trade Facilitation Council is, in a general sense, to promote and facilitate structured trade between Guyana and the partner country. This is being achieved by, but not limited to, the following: 1. Regularly exchanging market information; 2. Promoting access to commercial bulletins, electronic handshakes, networking; 3. Planning and supporting the organization of trade and other exchange visits; 4. Promoting participation in trade fairs, exhibitions, seminars, symposiums etc; 5. Organizing meetings, seminars, workshops etc. to promote investment opportunities, business ventures, possible joint ventures and other relevant activities 6. Match making forums for partnerships and development of businesses on both sides 7. To amicably resolve any disputes or misunderstandings which may arise with trade between the respective countries In addition to this initiative, the GCCI continues to advocate fiercely at the regional and bilateral level for non-tariff barriers to entry whilst contributing at a technical level to the various national trade committee discussions, organizing trade missions and promoting trade fairs amongst our membership. This year, the featured trade mission was the Guyana Gateway, an inward and outward trade mission with Aberdeen, Scotland, the oil and gas capital of the United Kingdom. As a result of this mission, significant benefits have accrued to the attendees. In the upcoming year, the GCCI plans to lead an inaugural mission to Houston, Texas to the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) 2019. This will be the first time that a delegation from Guyana will attend. WORKING WITH GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS 10 | ANNUAL REPORT 2018-19

The GCCI understands the importance of a unified partnership in dealing with business issues that affect our diverse membership, and in 2018, we established working relationships with several government agencies such as the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), Guyana Police Force (GPF), the Guyana Bureau of Standards, and the Government Analyst & Food & Drug Department (GAFDD). Such productive working relationships have afforded us the opportunity to interface with agencies on a consistent basis, which in turn provides our members with the benefit of proactive advocacy and representation. The GCCI continues to meet regularly with various government agency heads, ministers and technical staff, in an effort to ensure that the spirit of public private partnership continues. This involves working closely with the GO-Invest as regards investment promotion and facilitation in Guyana. The GCCI also continues to have a good working relationship with development partners such as the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), the CUSO, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) amongst others. This year, the CDB and the GCCI continued to work together on projects, conceptualizing and refining a number of ideas. These projects are currently in the pipeline with the CDB and are expected to be rolled out in the upcoming year. The GCCI also benefitted greatly from the arrival of its CUSO volunteer, Dr. Nazim H. Baluch, a highly knowledgeable and skilled volunteer from the Canadian government, who has helped to shore up the technical work of the Chamber on a multitude of issues. The GCCI and the IDB continue to have a close working relationship through our participation in their ConSoc grouping, channeling members to their newly established IDB-Invest, the private sector development lending arm of the Bank and key partnerships in important forums such as the Business Development Forum. In 2019/2020, the GCCI anticipates a continued fruitful relationship with these institutions, as well as expanding our working relationship with other development partners as we seek to accelerate the pace of private sector development. THE ECONOMY, TAXATION AND FOREIGN EXCHANGE Guyana’s economy is estimated to have grown by 3.4 percent in 2018 with noticeable growth in the construction sector, attributed to investments from the oil and gas sector. This continued increase in construction activities, as a labour-intensive industry provides employment for a variety of workers – skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled. 2018 also recorded marginal increases agriculture, fisheries, with forestry estimated to grow by 1.1 percent. However, the mining and quarrying industries are expected to decline in year 2018. Unfortunately, these dismal economic performances exist primarily in other labour-intensive sectors which has further spiraling effects as regards consumption in Guyana. We are disappointed that the required stimulus needed to recover job losses and spur economic growth were not adequately addressed in Budget 2019. Taxation in 2018 continued to grow, extracting about $200B out of the economy and is projected to increase to $223B in 2019. Whilst there have been moves afoot to widen the tax base, the total rate of tax an individual consumer and company pays

GEORGETOWN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (GCCI)

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE remains high - in excess of 40 percent in the former and in excess of 25 percent in the latter. However, the GCCI welcomes the reduction in manufacturing and non-commercial rate to 25 percent and views this as a step in the right direction for the facilitation and promotion of private sector development. Additionally, the Chamber of Commerce was pleased to see that some of the recommendations made during Budget 2019 consultations were well-received and taken on-board. Specifically, the Chamber of Commerce noted that its requests to review the taxes on pesticides and limestone used in the agriculture sector, has resulted in exemptions being granted from Custom Duty and Value Added Tax (VAT). The GCCI is also pleased that its suggestions in the aviation industry have resulted in the VAT exemption of aircraft engines and main components/ parts. The waivering of import duties and VAT on new equipment which utilize alternate energy technologies, renewable energy options, and harness renewable energy are welcomed to promote sustainable development of Guyana’s economy. Particularly worrying however, in recent times, has been the developments in the external sector. Budget 2019 indicated that there will be a large drawdown on the net foreign assets of the Bank of Guyana of US$104.1 million. As you are aware, the sustenance of the net foreign assets at the Central Bank is critical to external viability and the preservation of macroeconomic stability of the country. The GCCI has been observing this situation carefully and analyzing the numbers. Whilst Guyana has experienced positive growth rates in recent years, a careful look at the external sector will reveal some telling facts. The Balance of Payments over the last six (6) years recorded a negative (deficit) overall balance. Due to the large drawdowns from the Bank of Guyana in recent years; 2013 to present, it becomes pellucid that the surpluses which resulted in accumulation of foreign exchange in recent years, are now being used to fill a widening balance of payments deficit. It is this persistent drawdown on net foreign assets which is at the heart of the occasional foreign exchange shortage that is being experienced and the consistently increasing exchange rate. The behaviour of the Bank of Guyana confirms the negative effects of these net foreign assets drawdowns as they recorded net purchases of USD178.2M from the financial system during 2018 to shore up the foreign exchange reserves. It is my fervent hope that suitable policies will be crafted in the near future which will stimulate commercial activity, improve business performance and economic climate. These will ensure that critical foreign exchange for Guyana is earned and will aid in mitigating the widening balance of payments deficit. OIL AND GAS DEVELOPMENT IN GUYANA In 2018, the Chamber remained steadfast as an advocate for the development of Guyana’s burgeoning oil and gas sector. The Chamber, through its newly established, vibrant and active Petroleum Committee, continues to engage multiple levels of government and policy makers on legislation and regulations that impact the Petroleum Industry. This newly formed committee, being spearheaded by Senior Vice-President Nicholas Deygoo, seeks:

1. To assist in the developing GCCI’s position on issues in the petroleum industry 2. To develop programmes, recommend policy and legislation amendments that contribute to the petroleum industry and its development 3. To represent the Chamber’s members on all issues related to Petroleum industry and; 4. To organise and conduct seminars, forums, events, business to business meetings, trade missions and other activities related to the Petroleum industry In this regard, the Committee has been instrumental in reviewing and commenting on the Local Content draft policies as well as assisting in crafting the model Local Content legislation. The committee has also been reviewing other critical areas of the burgeoning industry such as the Natural Resources Fund Green Paper, Guyana’s version of the Sovereign Wealth Fund and continues to meet with key agencies and figures in the petroleum industry such as tier 1 contractors of the operators, the Department of Energy, the Ministry of Business, the Environmental Protection Agency, Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) amongst others. The GCCI this year hosted its inaugural Energy Forum which examined the Natural Resources Fund in great detail, with questions being fielded from the audience to a capable panel. There was also discussion on Sustainable Energy in Guyana and projects and programmes to promote same. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Our valued staff, committees and volunteers are integral and vital parts of the GCCI. Your tireless work, support and efforts are greatly appreciated. I would like to thank the Councilors of the Chamber who continue to give their time and effort to improving the business community and contributing to our country’s development; the staff of the Chamber’s Secretariat, whose diligent work in executing, the decisions of Council, ensures that our vision transforms into reality; to all agencies and stakeholders who continue to work with the Chamber in support of the business community; to the media who play a key role in getting our message out; to all our families who stood by us through the difficult moments and give us the strength to keep going; as well as friends, supporters and well-wishers. I would like to also give a special thank you to our members, who are also our sponsors of events, activities, publications and other forms of fund raising that we do over the past decades Let us all continue to work harder to support the growth of the private sector and our national development, forging ahead as one people, in one nation, with one destiny. Sincerely

Deodat Indar President - GCCI ANNUAL REPORT 2018-19 | 11

GEORGETOWN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (GCCI)

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REMARKS I am once again pleased to provide to you remarks in the capacity of the Executive Director of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI) for its Annual Report for the period 2018/2019. This year, the Chamber of Commerce is in its 130th year, a testament to the strength of commerce, industry and private sector development in Guyana. The GCCI continues to be one of the most active organisations in Guyana, exemplified by the work documented in this Annual Report. Through the support of our active and participatory membership, a small, but extremely disciplined and diligent staff complement, and visionary, insightful leadership of the Council and Executives, the GCCI has been able to have an extremely vibrant and successful year, raising the bar about two notches for typifying what an active Business Support Organisation (BSO) is. POSITIONING THE CHAMBER IN 2018 With redoubled efforts to improve private sector development in 2018, the GCCI intensified its activities, with a particular focus on the oil and gas industry; expanding opportunities for members through facilitation, information sharing and networking; honing efforts regarding trade; and tailoring forums, seminars and information seminars on topics pertinent to the contemporary business and economic environments. With this intensification in activity and increased value-for-money, the GCCI on-boarded 54 member companies over the review period. This constitutes the highest number of companies entering the Chamber’s membership in recent history, increasing the size of the GCCI to 242 member companies at time of publication– the single, largest BSO in Guyana. This number continues to grow healthily. The introduction of the inaugural Business Development and Energy Forums which were well-received, supported and attended can be seen as watershed in its innovation as participants were able to benefit from rich, clear and concise information, presented in an easily consumable format. The Business Guyana Magazine, now in its ninth edition, has become a staple for investors both foreign and local. Hotels, airlines and businesses have to often replenish their stock of magazines, with it being utilized as detailed reading by market researchers, investors and other like-minded readers. This high quality magazine remains an investor’s premier guide to doing business in Guyana and Guyana’s number one business magazine - a powerful tool of relevant information.

12 | ANNUAL REPORT 2018-19

INCREASED FOCUS – PETROLEUM, TRADE & DEVELOPMENT The GCCI, whilst continuing its work of advocacy, networking, information dissemination and facilitation, has increased its focus this year on issues related to trade as well as the petroleum industry. The formation of the Petroleum Committee has seen the work of the Chamber in this area being ramped up, which includes extensive and detailed commentary on policy documents, drafting of model legislations and policies, seminar, forums, missions and conference participation. As Guyana approaches first oil, the GCCI will continue to improve upon and refine its efforts in ensuring that the private sector is informed, prepared and equipped for the economic transformation that is upon us.

GEORGETOWN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (GCCI)

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REMARKS 2018 saw an especial focus by the Chamber on issues related to trade, particularly as it relates to intra-regional trade. The GCCI continues to actively participate in all national committees pertinent to trade in Guyana, including committees related to Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) in CARICOM, the National Advisory Committee on External Negotiations (NACEN), World Trade Organisation (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) implementation amongst many others. Increased advocacy and lobbying on non-tariff barriers (NTBs) related to trade has seen decades-old issues being suitably addressed and firm commitments to work with governments and private sector to address these NTBs have been made. In 2019, the GCCI is expected to play an even more pivotal role, with the St. Ann’s Declaration of CARICOM seeking to involve private sector at the Heads of Government meetings of CARICOM. The launching of three multi-stakeholder Trade Facilitation Councils as regards Cuba, India and Canada operationalized the signing of several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs). The Councils continue to actively meet, discuss and action items which aid in the promotion of trade and investment in Guyana. This mechanism is expected to expand to ensure that specialized areas and countries receive attention to ensure that structured trade improves flows and volumes. Prudency and Accountability in the Financial Affairs of the Chamber This year, the Chamber reports an operating surplus of $6.6M. This operating surplus is as a result of strong internal controls, prudent financial management and continued support by our member companies. The financial autonomy of the Chamber is critical as this enables us to maintain a non-partisan, independent voice focused exclusively on the development of the business environment of Guyana. The audited statements provided in this report depicts the transparency and accountability associated with the Chamber’s management of its financial affairs.

A LEAN, MUSCULAR SECRETARIAT The GCCI Secretariat continues to be like the veritable Rumpelstiltskin, spinning straw into gold at every possible corner – maximizing the use of minimal resource. This small but extremely dynamic, vibrant and energetic group of staff continue to ensure that the private sector of Guyana can realise its true potential by timely, professional and reliable service. With a staff complement of 9 full-time, part-time and volunteer staff, the Chamber continues to produce technical work of the highest caliber, administrative reports and functioning, operationalizing projects, executing several high-profile events, the development of a premier investment magazine, financial and risk management, amongst many others. As the Chamber becomes more vibrant, and evolves, this diverse and talented complement of staff, remain steadfast and dedicated to improve the state of the Guyanese private sector. I would like to extend special gratitude to the team. In closing, I wish to thank the members of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry for their unwavering support and continued dedication. Your commitment plays an important role in private sector growth and, by extension, national development. As our country approaches new waters, we look forward to continuing to serve you and promoting an improved Guyana.

Richard Rambarran Executive Director.

ANNUAL REPORT 2018-19 | 13

GEORGETOWN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (GCCI) EST. 1889 & INCORPORATED 1890

PAST PRESIDENTS FROM 1889 - 2018 NO. 1

PRESIDENT A. BARR

YEAR SERVED 1889 – 1890; 1892 26

LT. COL. C.M. BERNARD, O.B.E., E.D

1958

E.S STOBY O.B.E

1959 – 1960

H. L. STEELE

1961 – 1962

G.W.E. COOPER, O.B.E

1962

JOHN JARDIM

1963 – 1965

M.B. GAJRAJ

1966 – 1967

S.M.V. NASSEER

1968 – 1969

T. H. GLENNIE

1891; 1894

G.H RICHTER

1893

A. WEBER

1895 – 1896

A.P.P. MACKEY

1897 – 1898; 1903

GEORGE GARNETT

1899 – 1900; 1905 -1907; 1912 – 1913

E. M. SANDERSON

1901

A. SUMMERSON

1902

C.G.A WYATT

1904; 1908 – 1911

C.W. PREST

1914

A.R. YHAP A.A., O.B.E

1970 -1972

A.P.G. AUSTIN

1915 – 1916

N.O. GONSALVES

1973 – 1977

A. P. SHERLOCK

1917 – 1918; 1924

E.P. CHRISTIANI

1978 – 1982

C. MARTIN-SPERRY

1919

W. G. MCKENSZIE

1983 – 1988

C. FARRAR

1920 – 1922; 1927

DENIS E. MOORE

1989 – 1992

T. H. DALGLIESH

1923; 1925 – 1926

JOHN S. DE FREITAS

1992 – 1993

M.B.G. AUSTIN

1928

HANSEL W. BARROW 1993 – 1994

F. H. MARTIN-SPERRY

1929; 1934 – 1935; 1940 – 1942

DENIS E. MOORE

1994 – 1995

JULES PAIRAUDEAU

1930

MANNIRAM PRASHAD

1995 – 2001

F.A. MACKEY

1931

EDWARD BOYER

2001 – 2005

H.G. SEAFORD, O.B.E.

1932 -1933; 1939; 1943-1944; 1949-1950

CAPT. GERALD GOUVEIA

2005 – 2007

J.I. DEAGUIAR, C.B.E.

1936 – 1938; 1951

COL. (RET) CARL B. MORGAN

2007 – 2008

W. J. RAATGEVER C.B.E.

1945 – 1948

CHANDRADAT CHINTAMANI

2008 – 2010

LT. COL. E.J. HAYWOOD, M.B.E., T.D

1952

KOMAL RAMNAUTH

2010 – 2012

J. ST. F. DARE

1953

CLINTON URLING

2012 – 2014

W.M. GREEN

1954 – 1957

LANCE HINDS

2014 – 2016

VISHNU DOERGA

2016-2017

DEODAT INDAR

2017-PRESENT

ANNUAL REPORT 2018-19 | 15

2018/2019 (54 NEW MEMBERS) From April 2018 to February 2019, the Chamber added 54 new members. These members are:

31.

GUYANA TRAINNING COLLEGE FOR INTERNATIONAL SKILLS

32.

BOURSE SECURITIES LIMITED

33.

KOREA TRADE INVESTMENT PROMOTION AGENCY (KOTRA)

E-NETWORKS

AAGMAN RESTAURANT

BK SUPERMIX INC.

34.

WOODS DIRECT INC

WINEDAYGY

35.

GANESH PARTS & GENERAL STORE

CENTURY TAMARA ENERGY SERVICE INC.

36.

G-BOATS INC

ARTHUR LOK JACK SCHOOL OF BUSINESS

37.

AUSTIN MARITIME & ENERGY SERVICES

SOL GUYANA INC.

38.

GENESIS MARINE GUYANA INC.

DR. BALWANT SINGH HOSPITAL

39.

SBM GUYANA DEEP WATER OPERATIONS INC.

FIX IT HARDWARE BLACK& DECKER INC

40.

GUYANA APICULTURAL SOCITY

10.

ICONIC MARKETING & PRINTING

41.

CAS OCEAN SCIENCE (TRINIDAD) LTD

11.

CARIBBEAN AIRLINES

42.

FOHRSIGHT GLOBAL CONSULTANTS

12.

STRATEGIC RECRUITMENT SOLUTIONS INC.

43.

TRINIDAD INSPECTION SERVICES INC

13.

FARM SUPPLIES LIMITED

44.

TECHNIQUES INTERNATIONAL GUYANA INC

14.

GENERAL EQUIPMENT

45.

MATPAL MARINE INSTITUTE

15.

APAN ENERGY SERVICE INC.

46.

WORKFORCECONSULTING

16.

MAGUA RISK CONSULTING GUYANA INC

47.

MASSIAH CAPITAL

17.

THE RED BASKET

48.

GREEN STATE OIL & GAS

18.

PRATORIAN EXECUTIVE PROTECTION SERVICE

49.

MOHAMED'S FARM

19.

SCOTCH BONNET INC

50.

NAVIGANT BUILDERS INC.

20.

E&A CONSULTANTS INC.

51.

TIGER RENTALS (GUYANA) INC.

21.

HYDE PARK ZOO SANCTUARY & TROPICAL GARDENS INC

52.

ND&S FUNITURE STORE

53.

RAJIV GANDHI UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

54.

DIAMOND FIRE & GENERAL INSURANCE INC.

22.

EVELYN PROPERITY MANAGEMENT & CLEADNING SERVICE

23.

CACIAUE INC.

24.

GRORGE UNION PIPE & TANKS

25.

M&M INVESTMENTS

26.

JAPARTS

27.

VIVAANTA AYURVEDIC SPA & HAIR SALON

28.

STREAMLINE MANAGEMENT & ENGERINEERING SOLUTION

29.

TOTAL OFFICE (GUYANA INC.)

30.

COMPUTING CORE

16 | ANNUAL REPORT 2018-19

GEORGETOWN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (GCCI)

NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Notice is hereby given that the 129th Annual General Meeting of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI) will be held on Monday, March 18, 2019, at the Roraima Duke Lodge, Kingston, Georgetown at 13:00 hours for the following purposes: Agenda 1. Reading of the Notice convening the Meeting 2. Presentation of the President’s 2018/2019 Report 3. Auditors’ Report and Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2018 4. Resolutions 5. Election of the 2019/2020 Council 6. Appointment of an Auditor 7. Consideration of any business or motion as may properly come before the meeting All members are reminded to be in good financial standing with the Chamber and also nominate their representative and alternate. BY ORDER OF THE COUNCIL

Richard Rambarran Executive Director/Proper Officer ALL MAIL: 156 Waterloo Street, North Cummingsburg, Georgetown, Guyana, South America Telephone: (592) 225-5846/226-3519/227-6441 Email: gccicommerce2009@gmail.com

ANNUAL REPORT 2018-19 | 17

128TH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) held its 128th Annual General Meeting on Thursday, March 29th, 2018 at the Roraima Duke Lodge, Kingston. Following the opening ceremony, fifty (50) members were elected to vie for the twenty-one (21) member council for the year 2018/2019.

NO.

NOMINEE:

VOTES:

KESTER HUTSON

LANCE HINDS

DEODAT INDAR

NICHOLAS DEYGOO

ROSH KHAN

ALLISON BUTTERS-GRANT

ANIJE LAMBERT

JEAN FRANCOIS GERIN

SHANTI PERSAUD

AVIA LINDIE

TIMOTHY TUCKER

CHRISTOPHER CHAPWANYA

DORIS LEWIS

SEAN KIRPATRICK

GERALD GOUVEIA JR.

ANDRE CUMMINGS

KOMAL RAMNAUTH

PETER ABAI

CHRISTOPHER R. RAM

SHALEEZA SHAW

JAVED KHAN

ALEX GRAHAM

MARK SINGH

DHANI NARINE

KERENSA GRAVESANDE

RAMESH SEEBARRAN

IMAN KHAN

DAVIE SUHKDEO

KALESHAWAR PURAN

FREDERICK COLLINS

SEAN RAMRATTAN

JUDY SEMPLE-JOSEPH

SHAAM OUTAR

MARLON GEORGE

DEREK STOBY

RUSSELL LANCASTER

GAVIN RAMSOONDAR

GARY THOMPSON

JAMAAL DOUGLAS

JOHN LEWIS

NAVIN PRASHAD

SURENDRA PERSAUD

VISHNU DOERGA

TAMMY EDWARDS

DESLYN GRIFFITH

WAN JUNG

JENNIFER CIPRIANI

ESHWAR THAKURDIN

CHRISTINE BENNETT-BLAIR

RAJENDRA SINGH

18 | ANNUAL REPORT 2018-19

128TH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING NOTES: (a) Komal Ramnauth moved the motion to close nominations and which was seconded by Timothy Tucker. Since there were more than twenty-one (21) nominations to fill the 21 seats on the Council, the Executive Director, under Rule 8: 2, 3, 4, 5 of the Rules of the Chamber, read the following: 2. If there are more than twenty-one nominations for the election of members to the Council there shall be a ballot for their election at the meeting. The process shall be supervised by the Proper Officer. 3. Voting papers shall be prepared by the Proper Officer and shall on application be handed to each member entitled to vote; the member shall, on signing the register, place his voting paper in the locked ballot box. 4. Each member may vote for as many candidates as there are seats on the Council but he shall not cast more than one vote for any single candidate. 5. The names of those members elected according to the ballot shall be announced by the Proper Officer at the meeting. Subsequently, voting papers were distributed to all members present at the meeting, that is, one voting paper per member. After, the ballot box was opened and the votes were counted. The Executive Director, as the Proper Officer, facilitated this process for verification. The following members were elected as the new Council of the Chamber for the year 2018/2019:

NO.

NAME

VOTES

KESTER HUTSON

DEODAT INDAR

NICHOLAS DEYGOO

ANIJE LAMBERT

SHANTI PERSAUD

TIMOTHY TUCKER

DORIS LEWIS

GERALD GOUVEIA JR.

KOMAL RAMNAUTH

CHRISTOPHER R. RAM

JAVED KHAN

MARK SINGH

KERENSA GRAVESANDE

IMAN KHAN

KALESHAWAR PURAN

SEAN RAMRATTAN

SHAAM OUTAR

DEREK STOBY

GAVIN RAMSOONDAR

JAMAAL DOUGLAS

NAVIN PRASHAD

ANNUAL REPORT 2018-19 | 19

128TH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

DEODAT INDAR

NICHOLAS DEYGOO

TIMOTHY TUCKER

KESTER HUTSON

SHANTI PERSAUD

ANIJE LAMBERT

DORIS LEWIS

GERRY GOUVIA JR.

KOMAL RAMNAUTH

CHRIS RAM JR.

JAVED KHAN

MARK SINGH

KERENSA GRAVESANDE-BART

IMAN KHAN

KALESHWAR PURAN

SEAN RAMRATTAN

SHAAM OUTAR

DEREK STOBY

GAVIN RAMSOONDAR

JAMAAL DOUGLAS

NAVIN PRASHAD

In keeping with Section 9, 1 (a) of the Rules of the Chamber: the duly elected Council shall elect out of its own body an Executive Management Committee comprising a President, a Senior Vice-President, a Junior Vice-President, a Treasurer and Secretary. Following the election of the Council of the Chamber for the year 2018/2019 on Thursday, March 29th, 2018, the new Council held its first Statutory Meeting on Thursday, April 5th, 2018 to elect out of its body its New Executive Management Committee for the year 2018/2019.

20 | ANNUAL REPORT 2018-19

128TH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

COUNCILLORS OF GCCI 2018-2019

EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE 2018-2019 The following Councillors were elected on Thursday, April 5th, 2018 as the new Executive Management Committee for the Chamber for the year 2018/2019.

POSITION

NAME

ORGANISATION

PRESIDENT

DEODAT INDAR

STERLING PRODUCTS LIMITED

SENIOR VICE-PRESIDENT

NICHOLAS DEYGOO

NATIONAL HARDWARE (GUYANA) LIMITED

JUNIOR VICE-PRESIDENT

TIMOTHY TUCKER

RID-O-PES

SECRETARY

KESTER HUSTON

DAPPER TECHNOLOGY

TREASURER

SHANTI PERSAUD

SILVIEâ€™S VARIETY STORE

ANNUAL REPORT 2018-19 | 21

ORGANISATIONAL CHART MEMBERS COUNCILLORS

DEODAT INDAR, PRESIDENT

NICHOLAS DEYGOO, SENIOR VICE-PRESIDENT

TIMOTHY TUCKER, JUNIOR VICE-PRESIDENT

KESTER HUTSON, SECRETARY

SHANTI PERSAUD, TREASURER

ANIJE LAMBERT

DORIS LEWIS

GERRY GOUVIA JR.

KOMAL RAMNAUTH

CHRIS RAM JR.

JAVED KHAN

MARK SINGH

KERENSA GRAVESANDE-BART

IMAN KHAN

KALESHWAR PURAN

SEAN RAMRATTAN

SHAAM OUTAR

DEREK STOBY

GAVIN RAMSOONDAR

JAMAAL DOUGLAS

NAVIN PRASHAD

EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

DEODAT INDAR, PRESIDENT

22 | ANNUAL REPORT 2018-19

NICHOLAS DEYGOO, SENIOR VICE-PRESIDENT

TIMOTHY TUCKER, JUNIOR VICE-PRESIDENT

KESTER HUTSON, SECRETARY

SHANTI PERSAUD, TREASURER

ORGANISATIONAL CHART COMMITTEES

DEODAT INDAR ADVOCACY, BUSINESS & ECONOMIC AFFAIRS

TIMOTHY TUCKER TRADE AND INVESTMENT

ANIJE LAMBERT MEMBERSHIP

RAMESH SEEBARRAN FINANCE

KERENSA GRAVESANDE-BART HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

CAPTAIN GERALD GOUVEIA JR. SECURITY & GOVERNANCE

KESTER HUTSON GREEN ECONOMY COMMITTEE; RULES COMMITTEE

NICHOLAS DEYGOO PETROLEUM COMMITTEE

KOMAL RAMNAUTH FACILITIES AND FUNDRAISING COMMITTEES

SECRETARIAT

RICHARD RAMBARRAN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

SANDI BOWEN ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGER

BONICKA GORDON ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

WAYNE SEECHARAN STAKEHOLDER RELATIONSHIP MANAGER

LEON PRESCOTT ACCOUNTANT

REANN VANDEYAR ASSISTANT ACCOUNTANT

EUSI EVELYN CTCS PROJECT LIAISON OFFICER

DR. NAZIM H. BALUCH CUSO VOLUNTEER/ MICRO & SMES DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST

KRISTIA RAMLAGAN PROJECT COORDINATOR

ANNUAL REPORT 2018-19 | 23

ENGAGE. INFLUENCE. ACHIEVE. The GCCI has established a variety of committees to help advance its mission. Chamber members have the opportunity to become more involved. Serving on a committee allows you to connect with fellow business leaders at a deeper level while at the same time influencing Chamber programs and services. Welcome or recruit new members, develop business programs, share expertise, plan a banquet, even help develop Chamber policy. The opportunities are endless as you help bring people and businesses together. 1. TRADE AND INVESTMENT COMMITTEE Chairperson: Timothy Tucker, Rid-O-Pes Terms of Reference • To liaise with the Ministry of Foreign Trade and International Cooperation (MOFTIC) on matters relating to the WTO, FTAA, EU / ACP, EPA and CARICOM • To liaise with the Ministry of Tourism Industry & Commerce and GOINVEST on matters related to Trade & Investment locally. • To ensure that the interest of the Chamber Members and the local Private Sector are adequately represented at the various forums. • To keep the Membership of the Chamber informed on a regular basis about any interesting developments in the areas being monitored. 2. SECURITY & GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE Chairperson: Captain Gerald Gouveia Jr., Roraima Airways Limited Terms of Reference • To review, upgrade and modernize the Chamber’s Constitution with a view of making it more transparent and relevant to today’s Business Environment. • To develop a team that can mediate / advise and otherwise interact with our national security network on issues relating to crime. • In cooperation with the Public Relations Sub-Committee, develop educational materials that can assist members of the business community to be better prepared to handle everyday crime: robbery, kidnapping, etc. • To keep the members of the Chamber informed on a regular basis about any interesting developments under its preview • Liaise with the Guyana Police Force and other relevant authorities at least every three (3) Months to discuss matters of concerns for the Business Community. 3. MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE Chairperson: Anije Lambert, Project Development Consultancy

24 | ANNUAL REPORT 2018-19

Terms of Reference • To ensure that all members of the Chamber abide with required rules and regulations. • To seek new members with quality for the Chamber in order for the Chamber to remain financially viable and be a unified voice for the Business Community. • To make recommendations to Council on all applications for Membership. • To ensure that the members interest and concerns are adequately addressed by the Chamber. • To keep the Chamber members informed on a regular basis about any interesting developments in the areas being monitored. 4. FINANCE COMMITTEE Chairperson: Ramesh Seebarran, HLB R. Seebarran & Company Terms of Reference • To liaise with Government on Financially-sensitive issues of importance to the Chamber’s Membership • To ensure that the Chamber remains financially viable in the short to medium terms. • To ensure that the budgetary controls in place at the Chamber are followed. • To seek donor & other funding for the Chamber’s Secretariat • To liaise with bilateral and multilateral donors on matters associated with the Chamber. • To keep the Chamber members informed on a regular basis about any interesting developments in the areas being monitored. 5. FUNDRAISING COMMITTEE Chairperson: Komal Ramnauth, Kojac Marketing Agency Terms of Reference • To ensure that the Chamber remains financially viable in the short to medium term. • To coordinate the planning of any fund raising and promotional initiative such as Annual Dinner, Luncheons (Speaker Programs) etc • To plan & coordinate Promotional activates for the Chamber so that Businesses can view the Chamber as having a unified voice for the Business Community. • To develop a Public Relations Strategy for the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce. • To ensure that timely communications are sent to members on matters of importance to the Chamber and the Business

ENGAGE. INFLUENCE. ACHIEVE. Community. • To notify the general public through Press Releases. • To work in collaboration with other Sub-committees to produce educational and informative material, this will be of benefit to the Chamber Members. • To keep the Chamber Members informed on a regular basis about any interesting developments in the area being monitored. 6. ADVOCACY, BUSINESS & ECONOMIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE Chairperson: Deodat Indar, Sterling Products Limited Terms of Reference • To articulate members’ concerns in a unified voice attracting policymakers’ attention. • To meet regularly with decision-makers to discuss key policy issues and establish channels of communication and close working relationships with their staff. • To provide sound policy-relevant information to policymakers so that they may start automatically turning to business associations for policy advice. • To engage in both proactive and reactive advocacy (help to set the policy agenda by voicing concerns and proposing specific policies as opposed to only reacting to proposals already on the table). • To keep abreast of imminent and current policy proposals so that they can thoroughly examine the issue and prepare a sound policy response. • To help prevent frequent changes to the business-related legal and regulatory framework that scare away investors and hinder entrepreneurship. • To monitor implementation of advocated policies to ensure that they are administered fairly, consistently, and swiftly, thereby strengthening the rule of law. • To publicize successes to “brand” the association as an active agent of positive change. 7. HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE Chairperson: Kerensa Gravesande-Bart, Strategic Recruitment Solutions Inc. Terms of Reference • Executive performance reviews. • Executive compensation policies (including obtaining reasonable compensation comparability data, recommending the compensation and/or bonus amount; and following the rebuttable presumption of reasonableness procedures). • Review of pay scales. • Executive and key management succession planning. • Review of staffing structures and needs.

• • • • • •

Review of benefits. Diversity initiatives. Independent contractor policies. Volunteer policies. Internship policies. Grievance policies.

8. GREEN ECONOMY COMMITTEE Chairperson: Kester Hutson, Dapper Technology Terms of Reference • To assist in reducing environmental risks within the business community and to aim for sustainable development without disregarding the environment. • To assist in the development of environmental best practices and green business tools. • To empower Chamber members and the local business community to become environmentally aware by providing information and methods that are in accordance with sustainable ecological practices. • To suggest programs and recommend policy and legislation amendments that contribute to sustainability, and to interface with other sectorial bodies to foster environmental awareness and further common goals. 9. PETROLEUM COMMITTEE Chairperson: Nicholas Deygoo, National Hardware Terms of Reference for the Petroleum Committee of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry Purpose • To assist in the developing the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry’s (the Chamber) position on issues in the petroleum industry • To develop programmes, recommend policy and legislation amendments that contribute to the petroleum industry and its development • To represent the Chamber’s members on all issues related to Petroleum industry • To organise and conduct seminars, forums, events, business to business meetings, trade missions and other activities related to the Petroleum industry

ANNUAL REPORT 2018-19 | 25

GCCI IN THE MEDIA 2018-2019 STABROEK NEWS November 3, 2017

MOU SIGNED BETWEEN BUSINESS CHAMBERS OF GUYANA, CUBA

June 24, 2018

GCCI SEEKS TO STIMULATE GROWTH WITH BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT FORUM - COMPLIANT SMALL BUSINESSES TO BENEFIT FROM FREE MEMBERSHIP

GCCI PRESIDENT DEODAT INDAR (CENTRE) FLANKED BY (FROM LEFT) GCCI MEMBERS VISHNU DOERGA, TIMOTHY TUCKER, RICHARD RAMBARRAN AND ROSH KHAN AT THE LAUNCH OF THE ORGANISATION’S UPCOMING BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT FORUM. PRESIDENT OF THE GEORGETOWN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, DEODAT INDAR (LEFT) AND PRESIDENT OF THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF THE REPUBLIC OF CUBA, ORLANDO HERNÁNDEZ GUILLÉN SIGNING THE MOU (DPI PHOTO).

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) and the Chamber of Commerce of the Republic of Cuba has been signed in Havana, according to the Department of Public Information (DPI). President of GCCI, Deodat Indar told DPI that the agreement will realise information, expertise and training between the two countries as it relates to Guyana’s emerging oil and gas sector, and Information and Commutations Technology (ICT) sectors... https://www.stabroeknews.com/2017/news/guyana/11/03/mousigned-between-business-chambers-of-guyana-cuba/

June 29, 2018

GEORGETOWN CHAMBER, INDIAN EXPORT FACILITATING BODY SIGN WIDE- RANGING DEAL The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) will be seeking to utilize the recently completed memorandum between itself and the Federation of Indian Export Organizations (FIEO) to make maximum use of such opportunities as may arise for cooperation and partnership for investment and trade. Whilst Stabroek Business was unable to secure a timely comment on the significance of the completion of the MOU with one of India’s most influential commerce and trade facilitation bodies, the official who spoke with the Stabroek Business on condition of anonymity said that he expected that the partnership will be used as a mechanism to provide trade and technical cooperation opportunities for local business houses who are members of the Chamber... https://www.stabroeknews.com/2018/business/06/29/georgetown-chamber-indian-export-facilitating-body-sign-wide-ranging-deal/

26 | ANNUAL REPORT 2018-19

The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) will be hosting a special two-day seminar next month to help local entrepreneurs catapult their businesses to the next level. The Business Development Forum, which will be held on July 20th and 21st at the Pegasus Hotel, caters for entrepreneurs operating at every scale—from the plantain chip or fruit vendor to large local and foreign companies. The forum, according to Executive Director of the GCCI Richard Rambarran, will facilitate networking between the participants and is geared towards helping them to “evolve their roadmap to success.”...

https://www.stabroeknews.com/2018/news/guyana/06/24/gcci-seeks-to-stimulate-growth-with-business-development-forum/

September 6, 2018

CITY CHAMBER FLAYS GOV’T OVER LOCAL CONTENT LAW - WANTS DELAY OF MOU WITH TRINIDAD Lamenting the delay in local content legislation that would give businesses here first consideration in providing services and goods for the growing oil and gas industry, the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) has sent its own draft to the government. It has also called for a hold to be placed on any Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Trinidad and Tobago until it has

DEODAT INDAR

a clear idea of what it entails...

https://www.stabroeknews. com/2018/news/guyana/09/06/ city-chamber-flays-govt-over-local-content-law/

GCCI IN THE MEDIA 2018-2019 STABROEK NEWS November 3, 2018

September 16, 2018

GCCI, FOOD AND DRUG DEP’T INK MOU The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) and the Government Analyst and Food and Drug Department (GA-FDD) on Wednesday signed a one-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for cooperation in agro-processing standards. According to a GCCI press release, Jewel Sears, Deputy Director of the GA-FDD and Richard Rambarran, Executive Director of the GCCI, signed the MoU on behalf of their respective organisations in the GCCI boardroom at 156 Waterloo St. North Cummingsburg, Georgetown.... https://www.stabroeknews.com/2018/news/guyana/11/03/gccifood-and-drug-dept-ink-mou/

LOCAL CONTENT LAW, TAX REVIEWS AMONG GCCI 2019 NATIONAL BUDGET PROPOSALS The passage of Local Content Legislation and adoption of a Local Content Policy to guide the development of local businesses in the Oil and Gas Industry were among several recommendations made by the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) for the 2019 national budget. The GCCI on Friday noted that a team headed by Chamber President, Deodat Indar, met with Finance Minister Winston Jordan on September 12th to make its submissions for the budget...

https://www.stabroeknews.com/2018/news/guyana/09/16/localcontent-law-tax-reviews-among-gcci-2019-national-budget-proposals/

July 20, 2018

GEORGETOWN CHAMBER BUSINESS FORUM OPENS TODAY: NO ‘TALK SHOP’ – INDAR Seized, it seems, with a renewed sense of urgency arising out of the limited results secured so far from efforts to grow the entrepreneurial profile of much of the local business sector, the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) will, beginning this morning, stage a forum which Chamber President Deodat Indar has told Stabroek Business will seek to bring businesses and business support institutions together in an effort in an effort to ensure that such support services as are required to optimize business growth are placed at the disposal of both established and emerging entrepreneurs. The event, which is being staged against the backdrop of sustained criticism of both public and private

BUSINESS MINISTER DOMINIC GASKIN

sector efforts which, up until now, have yielded far from sufficient in the way of transformative action is, according to Indar, intended to bring both large and small businesses together with a broad range of business support organizations that are ideally positioned to offer them practical support “in ways that address their particular needs...”

https://www.stabroeknews. com/2018/business/07/20/ georgetown-chamber-businessfor um- opens-today-no -talkshop-indar/

September 11, 2018

GEORGETOWN CHAMBER SUPPORTIVE OF PARTNERING WITH CARIBBEAN BROTHERS AND SISTERS ESPECIALLY T&T The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) would like to publicly state that it remains supportive of foreign investors to Guyana. The GCCI believes that foreign investors have played, and continue to play, an integral role in driving economic growth and national development. In an era of global business, the benefits of international cooperation in key areas of private sector development are undeniable. Technology transfer, skills development, international markets for goods and services are a few areas where readily, the engagement of foreign investors and companies can bode well for private sector development... https://www.stabroeknews.com/2018/opinion/letters/09/11/ georgetown-chamber-supportive-of-partnering-with-caribbean-brothers-and-sisters-especially-tt/

February 25, 2019

CITY CHAMBER SAYS POLITICAL UNCERTAINTY AFFECTING BUSINESSES - URGES LEADERS TO RESOLVE ISSUES The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) says that there has been a significant decline in commercial activity as a result of the present political uncertainty and it called upon “national leaders” to resolve the issues in question. The GCCI did not identify any specific event but it appears to be referring to the political gridlock surrounding the December 21, 2018 motion of no-confidence against the government in Parliament...

https://www.stabroeknews.com/2019/news/guyana/02/25/ city-chamber-says-political-uncertainty-affecting-businesses/?

ANNUAL REPORT 2018-19 | 27

GCCI IN THE MEDIA 2018-2019 STABROEK NEWS February 5, 2019

CITY COUNCIL, GEORGETOWN CHAMBER TO FORMALIZE TIES - PARKING METERS DISCUSSION DEFERRED

MAYOR UBRAJ NARINE (LEFT) AND PRESIDENT OF THE GEORGETOWN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, DEODAT INDAR.

A brief meeting between the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) and the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) ended with an agreement to formalize the relationship between the two entities over the next few weeks. Mayor Ubraj Narine who led the M&CC delegation declined to address “contentious” issues such as the Metered Parking project and opted instead to schedule a meeting on Friday between representatives of the two agencies to facilitate the formation of a special committee which will examine mutual areas of cooperation and the working relationship between the two organizations... https://www.stabroeknews.com/2019/news/guyana/02/05/citycouncil-georgetown-chamber-to-formalize-ties/

September 24, 2018

LOCAL CONTENT POLICY SHOULD PRECEDE OIL PACTS WITH OTHER COUNTRIES – BOYER The Private Sector Commission (PSC) is not against a Trinidad and Tobago business presence here but believes that before oil agreements are signed with other countries, Guyana should have an established local content policy, its executive members contend. “We feel strongly that we must have a local content policy urgently, clear and stated before these agreements are signed,” former Chairman of the PSC, Eddie Boyer told Stabroek News yesterday...

https://www.stabroeknews.com/2018/news/guyana/09/24/localcontent-policy-should-precede-oil-pacts-with-other-countries-boyer/

28 | ANNUAL REPORT 2018-19

December 21, 2018

CITY CHAMBER SEEKING GOOD GOVERNANCE FOR ‘FORMIDABLE’ OIL AND GAS SECTOR While the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) is upbeat about the prospects of Guyana landing a “formidable” oil and gas industry, it wants to see movement in the direction of complementary investments in the various other critical sectors that have a bearing on the overall development of the country. “What is needed is investment in non-oil sectors such as medical facilities, infrastructure, agriculture, security, education and development of social systems,” GCCI President Deodat

DEODAT INDAR

Indar told the gathering at the recent GCCI awards ceremony...

h t t p s : / / w w w. s t a broeknews.com/2018/ business/12/21/city-chamber-seeking-good-governance-for-formidable-oiland-gas-sector/

June 22, 2018

CITY CHAMBER PRESIDENT UPBEAT ABOUT TRADE, INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN MOUS WITH CANADA, CUBA, INDIA The formalization of memoranda of understanding between the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) and key business support organizations in Canada, Cuba and India designed to promote “structured trade and other related areas of cooperation” send unmistakable signals that countries across the world are keen to do business with Guyana, GCCI President Deodat Indar told the Stabroek Business on Wednesday. In an invited comment in the presence of the Heads of Mission of the three countries Indar told the Stabroek Business that the agreements represented “an important achievement not just for the Chamber and its members but for the

GCCI PRESIDENT DEODAT INDAR

Guyana private sector as a whole.” At the same time Indar enthusiastically acknowledged what he said was “the important role” played by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in providing technical support in the process leading to the conclusion of the MOU’s...

https://www.stabroeknews. com/2018/business/06/22/ city-chamber-pr esident-upbeat-about-trade-investment-opportunities-in-mous-with-canada-cuba-india/

GCCI IN THE MEDIA 2018-2019 STABROEK NEWS April 10, 2018

CITY CHAMBER TO CONDUCT EXPERT REVIEW OF NEW PARKING METER BY-LAWS

FROM RIGHT ARE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE GEORGETOWN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (GCCI) NICHOLAS BOYER, GCCI EXECUTIVE MEMBER KOMAL RAMNAUTH; GCCI PRESIDENT DEODAT INDAR; MOVEMENT AGAINST PARKING METERS MEMBERS MARCEL GASKIN AND DON SINGH AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF GCCI RICHARD RAMBARRAN AT YESTERDAY’S PRESS CONFERENCE.

January 8, 2019

GCCI CONFERS EXCELLENCE AWARD ON GO-INVEST

CEO OF GUYANA OFFICE FOR INVESTMENT (GO-INVEST) OWEN VERWEY (SECOND, FROM LEFT) RECEIVING THE AWARD FROM THE GEORGETOWN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (GGCI) PRESIDENT DEODAT INDAR (SECOND, FROM RIGHT) WHILE THEY ARE FLANKED BY GO-INVEST’S DEPUTY CEO NATALIA SEEPERSAUD AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF GCCI RICHARD RAMBARRAN (RIGHT).

The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GGCI) will be undertaking an expert review of the amended parking meter by-laws, which were passed by the city council last week, according to President of the Chamber Deodat Indar, who says any objections would be submitted to the city and Ministry of Communities. Speaking at a press conference at the GGCI’s headquarters on Waterloo Street, Georgetown yesterday, Indar said that the Chamber wants to ensure it is doing as much as it can to serve its members in light of the furore that arose over the implementation of the paid parking system last year...

The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) yesterday conferred the Public Service Award of Excellence to the Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest) for effectively facilitating the work of the business community by exhibiting the highest standard of service. GCCI President Deodat Indar, who described GO-Invest as more “outward looking,” presented the award to GO-Invest Chief Executive Officer Owen Verwey yesterday afternoon...

https://www.stabroeknews.com/2018/news/guyana/04/10/citychamber-to-conduct-expert-review-of-new-parking-meter-by-laws/

https://www.stabroeknews.com/2019/news/guyana/01/08/gcciconfers-excellence-award-on-go-invest/

April 6, 2018

September 10, 2018

INDAR LAUDS CHAMBER ROLE IN REMOVAL OF VAT ON EDUCATION President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), Deodat Indar on Wednesday used his address to the organization’s Annual General Meeting to set out the various ways in which he said the Chamber had been successful in exerting “significant influence” on public policy over the past year. And while he identified “the removal of the controversial Value Added Tax (VAT) on education” as being foremost amongst the lobbying initiatives of the Chamber, Indar listed up to fourteen Chamber undertakings which he said had defined 2017...

https://www.stabroeknews.com/2018/business/04/06/indarlauds-chamber-role-in-removal-of-vat-on-education/

CITY CHAMBER SEES MAJOR PROBLEMS IN SOVEREIGN WEALTH FUND PAPER The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GGCI) will be looking carefully at the Green Paper on the proposed Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) as it has found a lot of “leakages from the start to end”, its President Deodat Indar says. At a press conference on Wednesday, Indar raised concerns about several oil and gas issues including Local Content legislation, the Memorandum of Understanding that will be signed between the Government of Guyana and the Government of Trinidad and Tobago and the Green Paper that was revealed in Parliament last month... https://www.stabroeknews.com/2018/news/guyana/09/10/citychamber-sees-major-problems-in-sovereign-wealth-fund-paper/

ANNUAL REPORT 2018-19 | 29

GCCI IN THE MEDIA 2018-2019 STABROEK NEWS April 20, 2018

CITY CHAMBER SUBMITS OBJECTIONS TO NEW PARKING METER BY-LAWS

A CALL FOR A FORENSIC AUDIT OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL.

The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) has submitted its objections to the amended metered parking by-laws to City Hall, according to its President Deodat Indar, who joined with members of the business community yesterday to protest any restart of the initiative in the capital. Indar was one of about a score of people who took to the Regent Street pavement opposite City Hall at midday yesterday, in what has become a weekly ritual for the Movement against Parking Meters group... https://www.stabroeknews.com/2018/news/guyana/04/20/citychamber-submits-objections-to-new-parking-meter-by-laws/

September 20, 2018

GCCI WANTS PENALTY FOR OIL OPERATORS WHO FAIL TO GIVE PREFERENCE TO LOCAL GOODS, SERVICES The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) wants the final version of Guyanaâ€™s Local Content Policy to have a penalty in place for oil operators who fail to give preference to local goods and services. The Chamber made this known to the government in a document that captures its recommendations on how the policy can be improved. Specifically, the private sector body said that any operator or contractor who carries out any project contrary to the local content provisions commits an offence and should be held liable upon conviction to a fine of 10 percent of the project sum...

https://www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/2018/09/20/gcci-wantspenalty-for-oil-operators-who-fail-to-give-preference-to-local-goodsservices/

30 | ANNUAL REPORT 2018-19

GCCI IN THE MEDIA 2018-2019 KAIETEUR NEWS February 06, 2019

GCCI, NEW MAYOR AND COUNCILLORS MEET TO DISCUSS PARKING METER, OTHER MAJOR ISSUES Members of the newly installed Georgetown Municipality, Mayor Ubraj Narine and a team from the council, officially met with members of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry, (GCCI) on Tuesday to discuss several issues of concern to both the Council and business community. In addition to Mayor Narine, those present at the meeting held that GCCI Waterloo Street Headquarters included Deputy Mayor Alfred Mentore, Attorney- at -Law, James Bond, GCCI President Deodat Indar, and Senior Vice President, Nicholas Deygoo-Boyer... https://www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/2019/02/06/gcci-new-mayor-and-councillors-meet-to-discuss-parking-meter-other-major-issues/

May 04, 2018

GCCI JOINS CHORUS AGAINST SEDITION CLAUSE IN CYBERCRIME BILL The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI) has joined the growing list of groups and individuals who oppose the inclusion of the sedition clause in the Cybercrime Bill (2016) which is currently before the National Assembly. In a press release, the GCCI registered its concern with elements of the Cybercrime Bill, especially Section 18 which provides a structure for the charge of sedition, and more particularly 1a of Section 18...

https://www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/2018/05/04/gcci-joinschorus-against-sedition-clause-in-cybercrime-bill/

June 19, 2018

CITY CHAMBER LAUNCHES TRADE COUNCILS WITH INDIA, CANADA AND CUBA The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) yesterday launched three trade facilitation councils in efforts to operationalize memoranda of understanding (MoU) signed with Cuba, India and Canada. Speaking at the launch of the councils yesterday, GCCI President Deodat Indar explained that after members of the chamber noticed a downturn in the local market they decided to start building export markets which took the form of three visits to engage with the private sectors in the various countries...

May 30, 2018

GCCI TO FOCUS ON SOVEREIGN WEALTH FUND AT PUBLIC LECTURE TODAY As the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) endeavours to make a significant contribution to the building of Guyana’s oil and gas sector, the Chamber will be hosting a public lecture today. Titled, “Sovereign Wealth Fund: What You Need to Know, Why and What Guyana Needs to Do,” the lecture is being delivered by Attorney-at-Law and Oil & Gas Consultant, Charles Ramson Jr. The event, which will also feature a panel discussion

ATTORNEY CHARLES RAMSON JR.

segment, is being held at Roraima Duke Lodge, and will begin at 17:00 hrs (5:00pm)...

https://www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/2018/05/30/gccito-focus-on-sovereign-wealthfund-at-public-lecture-today/

September 06, 2018

BEING REGISTERED HERE NOT ENOUGH TO BE CONSIDERED A LOCAL COMPANY – GCCI PRESIDENT …RECOMMENDS STIFFER REQUIREMENTS By Kiana Wilburg It is not enough for a business to be considered “local” by mere registration. According to President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), Deodat Indar, stiffer requirements are needed. In addition to being registered here, Indar said that a business must be 51 percent owned by a Guyanese, 70 percent of the workforce must be Guyanese, its headquarters should be in Guyana, and board meet-

GCCI PRESIDENT, DEODAT INDAR

ings should also be held here in order to be considered local...

h t t p s : / / w w w. k a i e t e u r n e w s o n line.com/2018/09/06/being-r egister ed-her e-not-enough-to -be-considered-a-local-company-gcci-president-recommends-stiffer-requirements/

https://www.stabroeknews.com/2018/news/guyana/06/19/citychamber-launches-trade-councils-with-india-canada-and-cuba/

ANNUAL REPORT 2018-19 | 31

GCCI IN THE MEDIA 2018-2019 KAIETEUR NEWS October 06, 2018

September 15, 2018

GCCI SEEKS TO FOSTER BETTER WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH GUYANA POLICE FORCE

MEMBERS OF THE GEORGETOWN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY PICTURED MEETING WITH TOP COP, LESLIE JAMES

The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI) recently met with Commissioner of Police, Leslie James in a first step towards fostering a better relationship with the Guyana Police Force (GPF). The meeting occurred on Wednesday last. The GCCI team was led by the Chamber’s President, Deodat Indar and included Junior Vice-President, Timothy Tucker, Chairman of the Security & Governance Committee, Gerry Gouviea Jnr., Executive Director, Richard Rambarran and other members of the Georgetown Chamber...

https://www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/2018/10/06/gcci-seeks-tofoster-better-working-relationship-with-guyana-police-force/

April 27, 2018

LOCALS VYING FOR EXXONMOBIL CONTRACTS SHOULD GET SAME TAX FREE PRIVILEGE GIVEN TO FOREIGNERS - GCCI PRESIDENT By Abena Rockcliffe-Campbell The local business community feels marginalized by the tax free privilege that government has extended to foreign companies hired by ExxonMobil. Several businessmen who spoke to this newspaper said that they feel as if they cannot compete with the foreign companies that may want to supply goods to ExxonMobil simply because “they have almost unlimited tax incentives and we do not. How can our government allow this?” The men spoke on condition of anonymity after

32 | ANNUAL REPORT 2018-19

GCCI PRESIDENT DEODAT INDAR

reading a previous Kaieteur News article which highlighted the tax free ride extended to foreign sub-contractors...

https://www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/2018/04/27/ locals-vying-for-exxonmobilcontracts-should-get-same-taxfree-privilege-given-to-foreigners-gcci-president/

SECOND DRAFT OF LOCAL CONTENT POLICY CONTAINS SEVERAL DEFICIENCIES – GEORGETOWN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE - SAYS IT MUST ENSURE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN FOREIGN AND INDIGENOUS BUSINESSES The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) believes that the second draft of the country’s Local Content Policy contains several deficiencies. In this regard, the Chamber believes that the draft document is silent on the need for partnerships between local and foreign companies. According to the Chamber, such partnerships are crucial if there is to be real development. The Chamber said too, that there should be awareness sessions to bring Guyanese up to date on their resources as well as discussions on the tiers of the supplier’s development plan and by category...

https://www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/2018/09/15/second-draft-of-local-content-policy-contains-several-deficiencies-georgetown-chamber-of-commerce/

March 3, 2019

GCCI VICE CHAIRMAN DECRIES SLOTH IN LOCAL CONTENT POLICY Vice Chairman of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Nicholas Boyer on Friday said that while monies are being spent on the Local Content Policy, Guyanese are anxiously awaiting the legislation that will entitle them to benefit from the oil sector. Boyer was at the time addressing the media at the Chamber’s Waterloo, Georgetown office during a press conference. “The Chamber would like to finally see that Local Content Policy move from draft, I mean we have spent consulting dollars on it and had a revised draft I mean for goodness sakes everybody at the table would like to see it finally move to a

GCCI VICE CHAIRMAN NICHOLAS BOYER

complete policy,” he said. Boyer noted that the Department of Energy recently engaged the Chamber in a meeting where officials of the GCCI were comforted that the Department intends to move to the legislation process soon...

https://guyanatimesgy.com/ gcci-vice-chairman-decriessloth-in-local-content-policy/

GCCI IN THE MEDIA 2018-2019 KAIETEUR NEWS June 07, 2018

TOP COP UPDATES GEORGETOWN CHAMBER ON CRIME SITUATION

SENIOR POLICE OFFICIALS WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF THE GEORGETOWN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY.

Executive members of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) met with Police Commissioner (ag), David Ramnarine, DSM, and senior officers at the Commissioner’s Conference Room. They were there to discuss matters related to crime and traffic, matters of mutual interest/concern and areas for potential collaboration and cooperation, the police said...

June 30, 2018

MINING, SUGAR, FINANCIAL SECTORS IN TROUBLE…GCCI PRESIDENT CALLS FOR URGENT ATTENTION IN THESE AREAS The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) believes that the mining, agriculture and financial sectors are in trouble. On this note, its members are calling for immediate action to be taken by the government. This call was made specifically by GCCI President, Deodat Indar. He was at the time, delivering his remarks at the launch of the GCCI’s ninth business magazine on Thursday at the Pegasus Hotel...

https://www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/2018/06/30/mining-sugar-financial-sectors-in-trouble-gcci-president-calls-for-urgent-attention-in-these-areas/

https://www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/2018/06/07/top-cop-updates-georgetown-chamber-on-crime-situation/

ANNUAL REPORT 2018-19 | 33

GCCI IN THE MEDIA 2018-2019 NEWSROOM November 29, 2018

October 25, 2018

BUSINESSES, HOUSEHOLDS OVERTAXED – GCCI The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) is contending that the population is overtaxed and that there are hardly any measures in the 2019 Budget to address this issue, which it says, can result in an increase of smuggling. With the economy is projected to grow by 4.6% in 2019 and the tax revenue by 9.9%, Chamber President Deodat Indar believes that households and businesses are being taxed more than they earn. “Gross Domestic Prod-

GCCI, GNBS SIGN MOU TO IMPROVE STANDARD OF 20 SMALL BUSINESSES

DEODAT INDAR, GCCI PRESIDENT

uct (GDP) is the sum of all incomes. So if the sum of all incomes is only growing by 4.6%, how is it that you are collecting from the same economy, 9.9%... https://newsroom. gy/2018/11/29/businesses-households-overtaxed-gcci/

September 5, 2018

GCCI SUBMITS DRAFT LOCAL CONTENT LEGISLATION TO GOV’T

(L-R) EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE GNBS, CANDELLE WALCOTT-BOSTWICK AND PRESIDENT OF THE GCCI, DEODAT INDAR POSE FOR PHOTO WITH SIGNED DOCUMENT

Twenty agro-processors across Guyana will soon benefit from a series of training from the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) to improve their standards and certification. This will be made possible through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which was signed between the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) and the GNBS on Thursday at GCCI’s Waterloo St, Georgetown office...

https://newsroom.gy/2018/10/25/gcci-gnbs-sign-mou-to-improve-standard-of-20-small-businesses/

September 14, 2018

GCCI WANTS BETTER ROADS, REMOVAL OF TAXES IN BUDGET 2019 GCCI OFFICIALS - L-R: SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, NICK BOYER; PRESIDENT DEODAT INDAR AND JUNIOR VICE PRESIDENT, TIMOTHY TUCKER

Tired of waiting on the Government, the Georgetown Chambers of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) created its own draft Local Content legislation which it has submitted to the Government. Pointing out that three years have already gone by, GCCI President Deodat Indar lamented that “we’re at a point where we have to draft our own legislation.” The document, which was prepared by GCCI Members over the past few months, was submitted Wednesday to President David Granger, Minister of Business Dominic Gaskin, Attorney General Basil Williams as well as the Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo... https://newsroom.gy/2018/09/05/gcci-submits-draft-local-content-legislation-to-govt/

34 | ANNUAL REPORT 2018-19

Better roads and the removal of taxes across a number of sectors are some of the recommendations made by the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) when it met with the Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan for Budget 2019 consultations. The Chamber made recommendations under the general thematic areas of: Agriculture Development; Security Sector Development; Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) Development; E-Commerce; Taxation, Duties and Charges; Oil & Gas and Measure for improving the Financial Framework... https://newsroom.gy/2018/09/15/gcci-wants-better-roads-removal-of-taxes-in-budget-2019/

GCCI IN THE MEDIA 2018-2019 NEWSROOM June 29, 2018

Mar 7, 2018

GCCI LAUNCHES ‘GUYANA ON THE RISE’ INVESTORS GUIDE MAGAZINE

The ninth edition of the prestigious ‘Business Guyana’ Magazine was launched Thursday evening under the theme ‘Guyana on the Rise’ which is symbolic of the fact that the country is on the cusp of takeoff and therefore a magnet for investors. The magazine, the brainchild of the Georgetown Chambers of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), has for years served as an investors’ guide to doing business in Guyana. The focus of this year’s edition is on local sectors that are on the rise... https://newsroom.gy/2018/06/29/gcci-launches-guyana-on-the-rise-investors-guide-magazine/

OIL BLOCKS SHOULD BE SAVED FOR FUTURE – GCCI A leading private sector organisation is recommending that the Government save the remaining oil blocks for the future and, in other cases, repossess and reissue blocks which have already been allocated. President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), Deodat Indar told a gathering of private sector officials at an oil and gas summit on Tuesday that the Government should be careful not to issue out all of the petroleum blocks. “We need to consider Guyana having one or two blocks of its own as they did in Norway with STATOIL in the early days when they found the oil,” Indar suggested. He also recommended that the oil blocks be saved for the future under the concept of intergenerational equity...

https://newsroom.gy/2018/03/07/oil-blocks-should-be-savedfor-future-gcci/

April 9, 2018

GCCI AGAINST RETURN OF PARKING METERS

MEMBERS OF THE GCCI AND MAPM

The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) is planning to review the amended parking meter by-laws and make its concerns known to the City Council and the Government. At a press conference hosted by members of the GCCI and the Movement Against Parking Meters (MAPM) today, both parties expressed the belief that before the project is re-introduced, there needs to be a proper feasibility study which will determine costs and other factors... https://newsroom.gy/2018/04/09/gcci-against-returnof-parking-meters/

ANNUAL REPORT 2018-19 | 35

GCCI IN THE MEDIA 2018-2019 NEWS SOURCE GY March 3, 2019

CITY CHAMBER, GO-INVEST SENDING TEAM TO OFFSHORE TECHNOLOGY CONFERENCE

NICHOLAS BOYER FLANKED BY EXECUTIVE MEMBER OF THE GEORGETOWN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, CHARLES RAMSON JR (LEFT)., AND ANOTHER MEMBER OF THE BUSINESS BODY.

The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry has teamed up with the Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest), to send a team to the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in May, to not only sell Guyana, but to secure business and investment opportunities for small entrepreneurs here. “I really want to sell this because this is about selling the country as a destination event for everything we can do for business, directly and indirectly in the oil and gas industry,” Senior Vice President of the GCCI, Nicholas Boyer, stated at a press conference on Friday...

https://www.stabroeknews.com/2019/news/guyana/03/04/ city-chamber-go-invest-sending-team-to-offshore-technology-conference/?

36 | ANNUAL REPORT 2018-19

September 6, 2018

GCCI WANTS DELAY OF MOU WITH TRINIDAD UNTIL LOCAL CONTENT LEGISLATION IN PLACE FOR OIL

DEODAT INDAR

The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI) has expressed concern over the delay in local content legislation being put forward, even as many regional and international companies are eyeing the oil industry in Guyana. The Chamber has now drafted its own legislation for local content and has since dispatched that to the government. The Chamber is calling for swift action as it relates to the enactment of policy or legislation on the issue of local content... https://newssourcegy.com/news/gcci-wants-delay-of-mou-withtrinidad-until-local-content-legislation-in-place-for-oil/

GCCI IN THE MEDIA 2018-2019 DEMERARA WAVES September 5, 2018

STIFF LOCAL CONTENT REGIME SHOULD REDEFINE WHAT’S A GUYANESE COMPANY; CONSULT WITH PRIVATE SECTOR BEFORE MOU WITH TRINIDAD- GEORGETOWN CHAMBER

LEFT TO RIGHT: SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF THE GEORGETOWN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, NICHOLAS BOYER; CHAMBER PRESIDENT, DEODAT INDAR AND EXECUTIVE MEMBER, TIMOTHY TUCKER.

The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), fearful that Trinidad and Tobago companies were about to take over Guyana’s emerging oil and gas sector, has dispatched draft local content legislation that, among other things, seek to redefine what is a Guyanese company. GCCI President, Deodat Indar said if the draft local content legislation-which has been dispatched to government and the opposition- becomes law it will require Guyanese companies to have 51 percent ownership, the holding of board meetings in Guyana, 70 percent of the staff must be Guyanese and its head office must be located in Guyana...

http://demerarawaves.com/2018/09/05/stiff-local-content-regimeshould-redefine-whats-a-guyanese-company-consult-with-privatesector-before-mou-with-trinidad-georgetown-chamber/

April 9, 2018

CHAMBER, MAPM TO FILE OBJECTIONS TO PARKING METER BY-LAWS The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) and the Movement Against Parking Meters (MAPM) on Monday announced that they would be filing objections to the parking meter by-laws. Approved last week by 13 of the councillors who were present, the by-laws have been posted up at several locations across the City for 14 days to allow citizens to make objections. The Chamber and MAPM intend to send a copy of their objections to Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan who they said have in the past refused to meet with them to discuss the issue of metered parking...

http://demerarawaves.com/2018/04/09/chamber-mapm-to-fileobjections-to-parking-meter-by-laws/

February 25, 2019

“SIGNIFICANT” SLUMP IN BUSINESS DUE TO LOOMING POLITICAL UNCERTAINTY – GEORGETOWN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) on Monday reported that its members have so far experienced a significant decline in business activity due to political uncertainty associated with the no-confidence motion. GCCI President, Deodat Indar told Demerara Waves Online News that a two-question questionnaire was administered online to its 240 members. However, Indar did not state how many actually responded. “Repondents? A sizeable and material representative of the chamber’s membership,” when asked... http://demerarawaves.com/2019/02/25/significant-slump-in-business-activity-due-to-political-uncertainty-georgetown-chamber/?

ANNUAL REPORT 2018-19 | 37

GCCI IN THE MEDIA 2018-2019 GUYANA CHRONICLE February 5, 2019

GCCI AND CITY HALL TO DRAFT MOU, SET UP JOINT COMMITTEE

GEORGETOWN MAYOR UBRAJ NARINE, (LEFT) AND PRESIDENT OF THE GEORGETOWN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, DEODAT INDAR (SAMUEL MAUGHN PHOTO)

THE Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) yesterday (Monday, February 4, 2019) met with officials of the Mayor and City Council (MCC), to discuss the issue of parking meters and other matters affecting the city. However, it was decided that the first issue to be tackled would be the drafting of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), and the setting up of a bilateral committee between the two entities. The two bodies are expected to meet again on Friday, February 8, 2019 to begin setting up the committee, while a three-week timeline was given for the drafting of the MoU... http://guyanachronicle.com/2019/02/05/gcci-and-city-hall-todraft-mou-set-up-joint-committee

March 05, 2019

BARBADOS, GUYANA BUSINESS CHAMBERS FORMALISE MOU TO IMPROVE TRADE RELATIONS The Chambers of Commerce and Industry for Guyana and Barbados have formalized a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to improve trade relations between the two CARICOM sister nations. This was revealed in a missive to the press yesterday by the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI). The Chamber noted that this development occurred at a “Doing Business in Guyana” Breakfast Meeting in Barbados on February 27, last. At the event, GCCI President Deodat Indar delivered the featured remarks, which outlined critical information pertaining to the work of the GCCI and its counterpart, the Private Sector Commission, Guyana’s economy, tips for navigating Guyana’s business environment, relevant laws and taxes, an overview of the oil and gas sector, and, most importantly, opportunities for investment...

https://www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/2019/03/05/barbados-guyana-business-chambers-formalise-mou-to-improve-trade-relations/?

38 | ANNUAL REPORT 2018-19

January 14, 2019

GCCI FACILITATING UK OIL, GAS TEAM VISIT HERE WITH the help of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), a trade mission of private companies from the United Kingdom (UK) is expected to visit Guyana from Wednesday to forge relationships with local, emerging companies in the oil and gas sector. This has been made possible following a visit from a group of GCCI business representatives to Aberdeen, Scotland, in November, 2018; the purpose

GEORGETOWN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (GCCI) SENIOR VICE-PRESIDENT, NICHOLAS BOYER

of the visit was to explore partnership opportunities with businesses in the petroleum industry...

http://guyanachr onicle. com/2019/01/14/gcci-facilitating-uk-oilgas-team-visit-here

November 29, 2018

GCCI HAILS TAX MEASURES ON PESTICIDES, LIMESTONE Dear Editor THE Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI) wishes to commend the Minister of Finance and the staff at the Ministry of Finance on the preparation of Budget 2019. The national budget remains pivotal in charting the country’s development path and as such, its policy measures are important. During the 2019 Budget consultations, the GCCI, while meeting with the Ministry of Finance, made a number of recommendations based on discourse with its members and empirical and policy analysis... http://guyanachronicle.com/2018/11/29/gcci-hails-tax-measures-on-pesticides-limestone

GCCI IN THE MEDIA 2018-2019 GUYANA CHRONICLE October 27, 2018

September 6, 2018

RAM, RAMSON HAVE FIELD DAY AT GCCI DEBATE ON O&G SECTOR THE Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) on Friday hosted its inaugural energy forum to spark public discussion on Guyana’s Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) Green Paper and how it will affect management of the impending oil sector. In his welcome address, GCCI President Deodat Indar said that while the body is pleased to see that a Green Paper has been drafted, how this document is translated into a White Pa-

GCCI EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR RICHARD RAMBARRAN MAKES A PRESENTATION ON THE SOVEREIGN WEALTH FUND (SWF) GREEN PAPER

per should involve national consultation...

http://guyanachr onicle. com/2018/10/27/ram-ramsonhave-field-day-at-gcci-debateon-og-sector

September 16, 2018

GCCI MAKES WIDE-RANGING RECOMMENDATIONS TO JORDAN THE replenishment of Small Business Bureau Grant (SBB) financing of $300,000 is one of several recommendations which were put to the fore when the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI) met with Minister of Finance Winston Jordan this week to make its submission to the National Budget 2019. According to a release, the GCCI made recommendations under the general thematic areas of agricultural development, security sector development, Micro Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) Development; E-Commerce; taxation, duties and charges; oil and gas and measures for improving the financial framework...

http://guyanachronicle.com/2018/09/16/gcci-makes-wide-ranging-recommendations-to-jordan-2

GCCI SUBMITS DRAFT LOCAL CONTENT LEGISLATION TO GOV’T THE Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) has submitted a model local content legislation to the Government of Guyana, saying that the move is part of safeguarding the rights of Guyanese businesses. Hours after submitting the model legislation to President David Granger, Minister of Business Dominic Gaskin, and Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister, Basil Williams, on Wednesday, GCCI President Deodat Indar told reporters, during an emergency press conference, that the move was necessary to safeguard the rights Guyanese businesses at a time when Guyana is on the verge of becoming an oil-producing nation. Indar expressed GCCI’s disappointment that there is no legislative framework since 2015 when the first oil discovery was made in the Stabroek Block offshore Guyana... http://guyanachronicle.com/2018/09/06/gcci-submits-draft-local-content-legislation-to-govt

June 20, 2018

GCCI MOVES TO BOOST TRADE WITH CANADA, CUBA AND INDIA

IN FRONT ROW FROM LEFT: CUBAN AMBASSADOR TO GUYANA NARCISO REINALDO ARMADOR SOEORRO; CANADIAN HIGH COMMISSIONER LILIAN CHATTERJEE; AND INDIAN HIGH COMMISSIONER VENKATACHALAM MAHALINGAM. MINISTER OF BUSINESS DOMINIC GASKIN AND GCCI’S PRESIDENT DEODAT INDAR, ARE AMONG THOSE IN THE BACK ROW. (DELANO WILLIAMS PHOTO)

THE Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) has established three trade councils to facilitate business between Cuba, India and Canada. The idea to establish the councils was birthed during visits to Cuba and Canada in 2017, when of three Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) were signed between GCCI and the Chamber of Commerce of the Republic of Cuba; GCCI and the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO); and GCCI and the Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Industry Association (NEIA)... http://guyanachronicle.com/2018/06/20/gcci-moves-to-boosttrade-with-canada-cuba-and-india

ANNUAL REPORT 2018-19 | 39

GCCI IN THE MEDIA 2018-2019 GUYANA CHRONICLE June 9, 2018

May 2, 2018

GCCI, POLICE COMMISSIONER DISCUSS CRIME, TRAFFIC MATTERS

GCCI THROWS SUPPORT BEHIND CYBER BILL

Executive Members of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry( GCCI) met with Police Commissioner (ag) David Ramnarine and Senior Officers at the Commissioner‘s Conference Room on Wednesday and discussed matters related to crime and traffic, matters of mutual interest/concern and areas for potential collaboration/ cooperation. During the meeting, the Commissioner of Police gave an overview of the crime and traffic situation, and noted that at this point in time there is a 10 per cent decrease in serious crimes overall from January 1,2018 to May 31,2018 compared with the same period last year...

…BUT URGES REMOVAL OF SEDITION CLAUSE

http://guyanachronicle.com/2018/06/09/gcci-police-commissioner-discuss-crime-traffic-matters

April 10, 2018

GCCI CALLING IN THE EXPERTS –TO REVIEW AMENDED PARKING METER BY-LAWS THE Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) has already contacted its lawyers in connection with the recently approved parking meter by-laws, so that a review of “troublesome” sections can be done and brought to the attention of authorities. “We have to get our experts to go through these areas that we believe are not good for the city,” GCCI President Deodat Indar, told a news conference on Monday. Indar and other members of the GCCI, Executive Director Richard Rambarran and Vice-President Nicholas Boyer, hosted the conference in partnership with members of the Movement against Parking Meters (MAPM) Komal Ramnauth, Don Singh and Marcel Gaskin...

http://guyanachronicle.com/2018/04/10/gcci-calling-in-the-experts

40 | ANNUAL REPORT 2018-19

POLICE COMMISSIONER (AG) DAVID RAMNARINE (CENTRE) FLANKED BY GCCI REPRESENTATIVES AND SENIOR OFFICERS.

THE Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI) has called for removal of the sedition clause in the Cybercrime Bill, but offered its full support to the overall intent of the proposed legislation. In a statement on Wednesday, the GCCI said, “The overall thrust of the Bill which, seeks to give parameters, legal structure and regulations to a space where these are currently absent, is commendable. The chamber wishes to re-emphasise its support for the rule of law in society and continues to remain supportive of the equal application of the rule of law, especially as it relates to matters of good governance,” the GCCI said... http://guyanachronicle.com/2018/05/02/gcci-throws-supportbehind-cyber-bill

GCCI IN THE MEDIA 2018-2019 GUYANA TIMES December 13, 2018

November 29, 2018

“INVESTMENTS OUGHT TO BE PROTECTED IN GUYANA” – GCCI PRESIDENT

GCCI WORRIED OVER MACROECONOMIC DYNAMICS OF FISCAL SECTOR

…SAYS TAKEOVER OF BERBICE BRIDGE DOES NOT AUGUR WELL

– RAISES CONCERN ABOUT LACK OF JOB CREATION, CONSUMER SPENDING

Underscoring the importance of investments in Guyana, President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), Deodat Indar has criticised Government’s recent takeover of the Berbice Bridge Company Incorporated (BCCI). Speaking at the GCCI’s 129th Awards Presentation and Gala Dinner on Wednesday evening at the Marriott Hotel, the GCCI President noted that Government should ensure that the appropriate environment is created to facilitate investments in Guyana... https://guyanatimesgy.com/investments-ought-to-be-protected-in-guyana-gcci-president/

November 24, 2018

NOISE CLAMPDOWN SHOULD BE DONE UNIFORMLY – GCCI PRESIDENT …SAYS BUSINESSES WILL SUFFER The Public Security Ministry’s efforts to clamp down on noise nuisance across the country by restricting the rights of businesses to play music has led to some serious concerns regarding whether this will be a fair process. President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), Deodat Indar, told Guyana Times that while he is not against this move, law enforcement officials should discharge their responsibilities in all fairness... https://guyanatimesgy.com/noise-clampdown-should-be-done-uniformly-gcci-president/

November 3, 2018

GCCI INKS MOU TO BENEFIT 20 SMALL BUSINESSES One week after inking with the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enable 20 businesses to become standardised and compliant, the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) has ventured into a new collaboration with the Government Analyst Food and Drug Department (GAFDD) to further assist those businesses. The MoU in regard to this collaboration was signed on Wednesday with the GA-FDD in the boardroom of the GCCI. Deputy GA-FDD Director Jewel Sears signed on behalf of the GA-FDD, while Executive Director of the GCCI, Richard Rambarran, signed on behalf of the GCCI...

https://guyanatimesgy.com/gcci-inks-mou-to-benefit-20-smallbusinesses/

The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) has issued a formal response to the presentation of the 2019 Budget, which was read in Parliament by Finance Minister Winston Jordan on Monday, raising some concerns relating to the financial plan. The GCCI said that it was worried about the macroeconomic dynamics of the fiscal sector. It notes that Budget 2019 indicates the Government’s intention to finance about 80 per cent of the sizable fiscal deficit ($32.84 billion of the

GCCI PRESIDENT DEODAT INDAR

$41.49 billion) by borrowing from the domestic economy...

https://guyanatimesgy.com/ gcci-worried-over-macroeconomic-dynamics-of-fiscal-sector/

November 29, 2018

FORMER GCCI PRESIDENT LASHES BACK AT MINISTER GASKIN – FOR TELLING PRIVATE SECTOR TO STAY OUT OF POLITICS Business Minister Dominic Gaskin’s advice that the Private Sector should stay out of politics until elections time has been rebuffed, with a former Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) President reminding him that politics is very much the Private Sector’s business. Addressing the second day of the Business Development Forum, former GCCI President Vishnu Doerga pointed out that the business community is, by virtue of paying its taxes, already involved in politics.

BUSINESS MINISTER DOMINIC GASKIN

At the same time, he noted the importance of the Private Sector ensuring it is in compliance with the laws...

https://guyanatimesgy.com/ former-gcci-pr esident-lashes-back-at-minister-gaskin/

ANNUAL REPORT 2018-19 | 41

GCCI IN THE MEDIA 2018-2019 GUYANA TIMES July 22, 2018

GCCI HEAD CALLS FOR MORE HELP IN FINANCING BUSINESSES President of the Guyana Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), Deodat Indar, has called for better provisions to be put in place for persons wishing to expand or develop local businesses. He made this call on Friday during the launching of the inaugural Business Development Forum for local businesses at the Pegasus Hotel in Kingston, Georgetown. According to Indar, in most cases, persons wishing to develop a business are left with no other option but “to borrow: we (may) have some savings, some family member lends us some money, or pool the money into it, or we go to the bank for a loan...” https://guyanatimesgy.com/gcci-head-calls-for-more-help-in-financing-businesses/

May 3, 2018

SEDITION HAS NO PLACE IN A DEMOCRACY – GCCI lthough Government seems to be unmoved over criticisms of the Cyber Crimes Bill, specifically as it relates to the seditious clause, more organisations and individuals continue to speak out against the move to place an archaic piece of law which in their opinion could affect freedom of expression in Guyana. Joining them is the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) which has expressed its concern over Section 18 of the Bill, which provides a structure for the charge of sedition. The GCCI believes sedition as an offence impinges on an individual’s right to criticise and has no place in a democracy... https://guyanatimesgy.com/sedition-has-no-place-in-a-democracy-gcci/

April 10, 2018

GCCI, MAPM AGAINST PARKING METERS’ RETURN …PLAN TO RAISE OBJECTIONS WITH CITY HALL At a joint press conference on Monday, the Georgetown Chamber of Industry and Commerce (GCCI) and the Movement Against Parking Meters (MAPM) both said they were dissatisfied with the proposed return of the controversial parking meter project, adding that their experts would review the amended by-laws with the intent of raising their objections with the administration. GCCI President Deodat Indar said the Chamber’s interest in the project was as a result of the concerns of members, recalling the disastrous effect the project had when it was first implemented in 2017...

https://guyanatimesgy.com/gcci-mapm-against-parking-metersreturn/

42 | ANNUAL REPORT 2018-19

September 6, 2018

GCCI CONCERNED ABOUT BEING SIDELINED IN FAVOUR OF FOREIGN COMPANIES …WANTS CONSULTATION BEFORE T&T MOU SIGNING The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) said it wants to be consulted first before the Government of Guyana moves ahead with signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, as this could possibly open the flood gates for foreign companies to take over the oil industry. This was the expressed view of President of the GCCI, Deodat Indar, who told a news conference on Wednesday that Guyanese businesses are already being sidestepped and instead contracts have been awarded to foreign-based companies to benefit from the local oil sector. But the GCCI wants the local Private Sector to get its “piece of the pie...” https://guyanatimesgy.com/gcci-concerned-about-being-sidelined-in-favour-of-foreign-companies/

June 23, 2018

GCCI LAUNCHES INAUGURAL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT FORUM

FROM LEFT: ACTIONCOACH GUYANA HEAD VISHNU DOERGA; GCCI VICE PRESIDENT TIMOTHY TUCKER; GCCI PRESIDENT DEODAT INDAR AND MASTERCLASS INSTITUTE PRESIDENT, DR ROSH KHAN

The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) on Friday afternoon launched Guyana’s first-ever Business Development Forum, which will target the development of all businesses, whether small or large. The Forum, which is to be hosted July 20-21 at the Pegasus Hotel, is being spearheaded by GCCI President Deodat Indar; ActionCOACH Guyana Head Vishnu Doerga and Masterclass Institute Head Dr Rosh Khan. It will seek to take businesses in Guyana to another level...

https://guyanatimesgy.com/gcci-launches-inaugural-business-development-forum/

GCCI IN THE MEDIA 2018-2019 INEWSGUYANA January 9, 2019

GO-INVEST AWARDED BY GCCI FOR EXEMPLARY SERVICE

December 13, 2018

“INVESTMENTS OUGHT TO BE PROTECTED IN GUYANA” – GCCI PRESIDENT …SAYS TAKEOVER OF BERBICE BRIDGE DOES NOT AUGUR WELL

GEORGETOWN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY PRESIDENT, MR. DEODAT INDAR (SECOND FROM RIGHT) PRESENTS AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE TO CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF GO-INVEST, MR. OWEN VERWEY. LOOKING ON ARE GO-INVEST’S DEPUTY CEO, MS. NATALIA SEEPERSAUD (LEFT) AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AT GCCI MR. RICHARD RAMBARRAN.

The Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest) has won an award for excellence in Public Service from the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) for effectively facilitating the work of the business community by providing the highest standard of service. GCCI President Deodat Indar presented the award to GO-Invest’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Owen Verwey at a small ceremony at the Chamber’s boardroom on January 7, 2019, in the presence of the Agency’s Deputy CEO, Ms. Natalia Seepersaud and other invited guests... https://www.inewsguyana.com/go-invest-awarded-by-gcci-for-exemplary-service/

November 28, 2018

BUDGET 2019: GCCI POINTS TO MACROECONOMIC OUTLOOK, JOBS, FUEL PRICES AS CONCERN AREAS The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI) in weighing in on the $300.7B 2019 Budget presented on Monday last by Finance Minister Winston Jordan registered its concern with the macroeconomic outlook for Guyana, among other things. The body outlined that Budget 2019 indicates “Government’s intention to finance about 80 percent of the sizable fiscal deficit ($32.84B of the $41.49B) from borrowing from the domestic economy...”

Underscoring the importance of investments in Guyana, President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), Deodat Indar has criticised Government’s recent takeover of the Berbice Bridge Company Incorporated (BCCI). Speaking at the GCCI’s 129th Awards Presentation and Gala Dinner on Wednesday evening at the Marriott Hotel, the GCCI President noted that Government should ensure that the appropriate environment is created to facilitate investments in Guyana... https://www.inewsguyana.com/investments-ought-to-be-protected-in-guyana-gcci-president/

October 25, 2018

GCCI HEAD CALLS ON CITIZENS TO PARTICIPATE IN NATIONAL DISCUSSION ON SWF The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) is inviting members of the public to participate in a national discussion on the Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF), tomorrow (Friday), at the Duke Lodge, Georgetown from 09:00h. The Energy forum will focus on fostering discussions on the draft legislation of the Sovereign Wealth Fund since the President of the GCCI, Deodat Indar strongly believes that certain aspects of the Fund need to discussed in detail before it is signed into law...

https://www.inewsguyana.com/gcci-head-calls-on-citizens-toparticipate-in-national-discussion-on-swf/

https://www.inewsguyana.com/budget-2019-gcci-points-to-macroeconomic-outlook-jobs-fuel-prices-as-concern-areas/

ANNUAL REPORT 2018-19 | 43

GCCI IN THE MEDIA 2018-2019 INEWSGUYANA October 4, 2018

GCCI PAYS COURTESY CALL ON NEW TOP COP

COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, LESLIE JAMES WITH MEMBERS OF THE GCCI

The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI) on October 3, 2018 during a courtesy call met with Commissioner of Police, Leslie James, DSS. Led by the President of the GCCI Deodat Indar and Junior Vice-President Timothy Tucker, Chairman of the Security & Governance Committee Gerry Gouviea Jnr, Executive Director Richard Rambarran and members of the GCCI; the team formally congratulated James on his appointment as the Commissioner of Police... https://www.inewsguyana.com/gcci-pays-courtesy-call-on-newtop-cop/

June 25, 2018

MORE LOCAL GOODS HAVE TO BE EXPORTED, GCCI HEAD SAYS IN LIGHT OF HIGH TRADE DEFICITS Lamenting the continuous increase in the Guyana’s trade deficit, President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), Deodat Indar, is calling on stakeholders to increase their exportation of locally produced and manufactured goods to counteract the imbalance. During a presentation at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Private Sector Commission (PSC) held recently, Indar drew attention to the figures from the Bureau of Statistics regarding Guyana’s exports in the first quarter of 2018... https://www.inewsguyana.com/more-local-goods-have-to-be-exported-gcci-head-says-in-light-of-high-trade-deficits/

44 | ANNUAL REPORT 2018-19

September 6, 2018

OIL & GAS: GOVT SHOULD HOLD OFF ON T&T MOU, ASSESS IMPACT ON LOCAL BUSINESSES - GCCI President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), Deodat Indar on Wednesday called for Government to show constraint where the oil industry is concerned and also made the call for the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) to be placed on hold, while assessing the impact that such a move would have on the local businesses. According to the GCCI Head, Guyanese businesses are already being sidestepped and instead contracts have been awarded to foreign-based companies to benefit from the local oil sector... https://www.inewsguyana.com/oil-gas-govt-should-hold-off-on-ttmou-assess-impact-on-local-businesses-gcci/

July 21, 2018

LACK OF ACCESS TO FINANCING STIFLING SMALL BUSINESSES - GCCI HEAD The lack of access to financing is a huge impediment to micro businesses seeking to expand or develop further. This is according to Deodat Indar, Head of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), who, in a two-day workshop held for businesses on Friday at the Pegasus Hotel, Kingston Georgetown, made calls for better provisions to be made for persons wishing to expand...

GCCI PRESIDENT DEODAT INDAR

https://www.inewsguyana. com/lack-of-access-to-financing-stifling-small-businessesgcci-head/

GCCI IN THE MEDIA 2018-2019 INEWSGUYANA June 18, 2018

TRADE FACILITATION COUNCILS WITH INDIA, CUBA, CANADA TO BE SET UP SOON - GCCI

FROM LEFT: THE CUBAN AMBASSADOR TO GUYANA, NARCISO REINALDO ARMADOR SOEORRO, INDIAN HIGH COMMISSIONER TO GUYANA, MAHALINGAM VENKATACHALAM, CANADIAN AMBASSADOR TO GUYANA, LILIAN CHATTERJEE

In an effort to foster and improve trade between Guyana and international countries, the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) on Monday announced the launching of three Trade Facilitation Councils between Guyana and India, Cuba and Canada, respectively. GCCI President, Deodat Indar told media operatives in a press conference on Monday that the three Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) were signed between the Private Sector and the High Commissioners of the respective countries...

https://www.inewsguyana.com/trade-facilitation-councils-withindia-cuba-canada-to-be-set-up-soon-gcci/

April 9, 2018

RETURN OF PARKING METERS: GCCI, MAPM TO RAISE OBJECTIONS WITH CITY HALL At a joint press conference on Monday, the Georgetown Chambers for Industry and Commerce (GCCI) and the Movement Against Parking Meters (MAPM) both said they are dissatisfied with the proposed return of the controversial parking meter project adding that their experts will review the amended bylaws with the intent of raising their objections with the administration. GCCI’s President, Deodat Indar, said their interest in the project is so that they can address the concerns of their members, recalling the disastrous effect the project had when it was first implemented in 2017...

https://www.inewsguyana.com/return-of-parking-meters-gccimapm-to-raise-objections-with-city-hall/

October 23, 2018

GCCI TO HOST INAUGURAL ENERGY FORUM The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) has announced that it will be hosting Guyana’s Inaugural Energy Forum at The Symposium, Duke Lodge at 9hrs on Friday, October 26, 2018. In a brief press release issued moments ago, the GCCI said that two presentations will be made by Government on a Viable Energy Mix for Guyana, as well as the Sovereign Wealth Fund. Each presentation will be followed by a panel discussion from the likes of Christopher Ram, Charles Ramson Jr., and Nicholas Boyer, amongst others... https://www.inewsguyana.com/gcci-to-host-inaugural-energy-forum/

ANNUAL REPORT 2018-19 | 45

MEMBERSHIP BY SECTOR ADVERTISING

LEGAL

AGRICULTURE

LOGGING

ARTS & CRAFT

MANUFACTURING

AUTOMOTIVE

MARKETING

AVIATION INDUSTRY

MERCHANDISING

CONSTRUCTION

MINING OIL & GAS

18 6 13 6

CONSULTANCY

DISTRIBUTION

PEST CONTROL

EDUCATION

PUBLIC RELATIONS

ENTERTAINMENT

SECURITY

EVENT MANAGEMENT

SERVICES

FINANCIAL SERVICES

SHIPPING

HEALTHCARE

TOURISM & HOSPITALITY

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

TV/ VIDEO PRODUCTION

INSURANCE

WASTE DISPOSAL

46 | ANNUAL REPORT 2018-19

ory

dent

MEMBERSHIP BY CATEGORY Category of membership 62 84 50 35 9 2

CATEGORY

CATEGORY OF MEMBERSHIP

A (Large)

B (Medium)

C (Small)

D (Micro)

NON-RESIDENT

ASSOCIATE

CATEGORY OF MEMBERSHIP A

Non-Resident

Associate

4% 1%

14%

25%

21%

35%

ANNUAL REPORT 2018-19 | 47

MEMBERSHIP GROWTH NO.

2013/2014

NO.

2014/2015 2014 (19)

2013 (23) 1

BEYOND IT SOLUTIONS

ARUWAI ENTERPRISE

CALIFORNI STUCCO GUYANA INC.

ASSURIA GENERAL GY

CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL DISTRIBUTION INC

CREDIT INFO (GUYANA INC)

DESIGNERS TREND

COMPUTRAIN BUSINESS SERVICE SOLUTION

ESSO EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION GUYAN LIMITED

D&J SHIPPING

DABI'S VARITY

GUYANA ENVROMENTAL HEALTH & SAFETY FOUNDATION

DILIP VARITY STORE

GUYANA LOGISTICS & SUPPORT SERVICES INC

EXIM TRADE GUYAN

HAD INTERNATIONAL

FIRST GLOBAL

INSPIRE

GAICO CONSTRUCTION AND GENERAL SERVICES

GEOTECH VISION GUYANA INC

GUYANA QUICK BOOKS AND BINDS ADVISORS INC.

GX MEDIA

HILARY DAVIDSON DESIGN & TECHNOLOGIES

KANHAI ELECTRICAL WORLD

LASEDAL CONSULTANCY INTERNATIONAL

LENRAY'S INVESTMENTS

MARICS & COMPANY LIMITED

N&A ALGO LICENSE CUSTOMS BOKERAGE

NOW MAIL PACKAGE

NT COMPUTEAC

PREMS ELECTRICAL STORE

PROFESIONAL DEVELIP ENTERPRISE

48 | ANNUAL REPORT 2018-19

INTERNATIONAL RECUITERS

JERRIES

JTW & ASSOCIATE MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE

KAIZEN ENVIROMENT SERVICES

LENRAYS INVENTMENT

NAVIGANT BUILDERS

PYRAMID NETWORKS INC

RAMPS LOGISTICS

UMAMI

XETECH ENTERPRISE

MEMBERSHIP GROWTH NO.

2015/2016 2015 (33)

3MG

INTEGRATED SECURITY SERVICES

ASHMIN'S FUN PARK & RESORT INCORPORATED

ORIENTAL GENERAL STORE (GUYANA) LIMITED

CARANA AGRICULTURE DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP INC.

PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LIMITED

PROJECT DEVELOPMENT CONSLUTANCY

CENTRAL ELECTRONICS

PRUDENTIAL INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY

CORUM DISTRIBUTION

PURAN BROTHERS DISPOSAL INC.

CURTAINS AND DRAPERY DESIGN

RID-O-PES

DAPPER TECHNOLOGY

SCHOOL OF THE NATIONS INC.

EUREKA MEDICAL LABORATORIES INC.

SEALAND SURVEYS

FUJITSU CARIBBEAN (TRINIDAD) LIMITED

TACTICAL SOLUTIONS AND CONSULTING

GLOBAL SEAFOOD DISTRIBUTORS

THE CONSULTANCY GROUP

GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY INC.

TONY'S AUTO SPARES

GUYANA AMERICAN MERCHANT BANK INC.

TOUCAN INDUSTRIES

GUYANA GOLDFIELDS INC.

VIDEO MEGA PRODUCTIONS LTD

GUYPRIDE CONSTRUCTION & MINING

VSH UNITED (GUYANA) INCORPORATED

INNOVATIVE SYSTEMS INC.

WEB SOURCE GUYANA INC.

INSURANCE BROKERS OF GUYANA LIMITED

ANNUAL REPORT 2018-19 | 49

MEMBERSHIP GROWTH NO.

2016/2017 2016 (38)

ACH INC.

MUNESHWAR LIMITED

KROSS KOLOR RECORDS

GUYBISCO

PREMIER INTEGRATED EXPERIENCE

UNIVERSAL GROUP OF COMPANIES

ABYGAILS GENERAL STORE

P&P INSURANCE BROKERS & CONSULTANTS LT

IMAGE & LIKENESS

COMPUTER CARE

DAVID YHANN AND SONS COMPANY LIMITED

MC CALMAN & CO LEGAL SERVICES

CUMMINGS WOOD PRODUCTS

EUPHORIA ENTERTAINMENT PARKS

THE SOLUTION CENTER

ENVISASE MARKETING & TECHNOLOGY COMPANY-EMTEC

PETER P. IMPORT AND EXPORT

PROFESSIONAL GUARD SERVICES INC

INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES AND SERVICES

TARGET SHIPPING

CERULEAN INC.

ELUSIVE EVENTS& BUSINESS SERVICES

EXTRAVAGANT CELEBERATIONS

KPMG

COMFORT SLEEP

BRANDERZ

INTERWEAVE SOLUTION GUYANA INC.

MASSY INSURANCE LTD

A+ COMPUTER TRAINING CENTER

JUICE UP

THE LANGUAGE INSTITUTE INC.

INNOVATIVE BUILDING SOLUTIONS

IMON WIRELESS SOLUTION INC.

NICK'S PHONICS CENTRE

YON'S PRO-FASHION

CEVONS WASTE MANAGEMENT INC.

DECY'S SCHOOL OF DESIGN & DRESS MAKING

GUYANA BEVERAGES

50 | ANNUAL REPORT 2018-19

MEMBERSHIP GROWTH NO.

2017/2018 2017 (34)

ENGINEERING AGENCIES (CARIBBEAN) LIMITED (ENGAGE)

GTPLAZA INC.

OPSEC INTERNATIONAL (GUYANA) INC.

SOCIAL RANK MEDIA

INNOVATIVE BUILDING SOLUTIONS

SAGACITY MEDIA

BIG V ENTERPRISE

CARIBBEAN SURGERY INC.

EMPORIUM INVESTMENTS BUREAU INC.

GUYANA MARRIOTT HOTEL/ATLANTIC HOTEL INC.

PAS CARGO

ROYAL GEM ENTERPRISE

HBL R. SEEBARRAN & CO.

LIVE PROACTIVE

DEMERARA BAKERY

NAKED SKIN SOAPS

CARIBBEAN VENDING/TIC DISTRIBUTORS

V- NET COMMUNICATIONS

GUYANA OIL & GAS SUPPORT SERVICES

RAPID RESULTS INC.

OPTIQUE VISION CARE

MODERN MEDIA ADVERTISING AGENCY

RAMSON & CONWAY & ASSOCIATES

CHATERAM RAMDIHAL, CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT, PROFESSIONAL SERVICE FIRM

IEM SALES & SERVICES LIMITED

EL DORADO OFFSHORE GUYANA INC.

ATLANTIC MARINE INC & ATLANTIC MINING SUPPLIES

TAGMAN MEDIA

A&S ENTERPRISE

DEMERARA SHIPPING COMPANY LIMITED

ICON LNG GUYANA LIMITED

JR RANCH INC.

RAMSON & CONWAY & ASSOCIATES

BRITTYANY'S HOTEL

ANNUAL REPORT 2018-19 | 51

MEMBERSHIP GROWTH NO.

2018/2019 2018 (54)

E-NETWORKS

TOTAL OFFICE (GUYANA INC.)

AAGMAN RESTAURANT

COMPUTING CORE

BK SUPERMIX INC.

WINEDAYGY

GUYANA TRAINNING COLLEGE FOR INTERNATIONAL SKILLS

CENTURY TAMARA ENERGY SERVICE INC.

BOURSE SECURITIES LIMITED

ARTHUR LOK JACK SCHOOL OF BUSINESS

SOL GUYANA INC.

KOREA TRADE INVESTMENT PROMOTION AGENCY (KOTRA)

DR. BALWANT SINGH HOSPITAL

WOODS DIRECT INC

FIX IT HARDWARE BLACK& DECKER INC

GANESH PARTS & GENERAL STORE

ICONIC MARKETING & PRINTING

G-BOATS INC

CARIBBEAN AIRLINES

AUSTIN MARITIME & ENERGY SERVICES

STRATEGIC RECRUITMENT SOLUTIONS INC.

GENESIS MARINE GUYANA INC.

FARM SUPPLIES LIMITED

GENERAL EQUIPMENT

SBM GUYANA DEEP WATER OPERATIONS INC.

APAN ENERGY SERVICE INC.

GUYANA APICULTURAL SOCITY

MAGUA RISK CONSULTING GUYANA INC

CAS OCEAN SCIENCE (TRINIDAD) LTD

THE RED BASKET

FOHRSIGHT GLOBAL CONSULTANTS

TRINIDAD INSPECTION SERVICES INC

PRATORIAN EXECUTIVE PROTECTION SERVICE

SCOTCH BONNET INC

TECHNIQUES INTERNATIONAL GUYANA INC

E&A CONSULTANTS INC.

MATPAL MARINE INSTITUTE

WORKFORCECONSULTING

HYDE PARK ZOO SANCTUARY & TROPICAL GARDENS INC

MASSIAH CAPITAL

EVELYN PROPERITY MANAGEMENT & CLEADNING SERVICE

GREEN STATE OIL & GAS

MOHAMED'S FARM

CACIAUE INC.

NAVIGANT BUILDERS INC.

GRORGE UNION PIPE & TANKS

TIGER RENTALS (GUYANA) INC.

M&M INVESTMENTS

ND&S FUNITURE STORE

JAPARTS

VIVAANTA AYURVEDIC SPA & HAIR SALON

RAJIV GANDHI UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

STREAMLINE MANAGEMENT & ENGERINEERING SOLUTION

DIAMOND FIRE & GENERAL INSURANCE INC.

52 | ANNUAL REPORT 2018-19

MEETINGS AND EVENTS APRIL 19, 2018 – MEETING WITH GPL The GCCI held a meeting with the new Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Power & Light Inc., Mr. Albert Gordon, along with the Company Secretary, Ms. Laurian Bancroft & Public Relations Officer, Ms. Shevion Sears-Murray. At the meeting, members had the opportunity to gain insight on challenges faced by GPL, the outlook for the future regarding new policies and areas of focus, direction, and preparation for renewable energy.

MAY 30, 2018 – SOVEREIGN WEALTH FUND PUBLIC LECTURE The GCCI hosted a public lecture on the Sovereign Wealth Fund titled “Sovereign Wealth Fund: What You Need to Know, Why and What Guyana Needs to Do.” The keynote speaker was Attorney-at-Law and Oil & Gas Consultant, Charles Ramson Jr. The lecture addressed pressing questions on the Sovereign Wealth Fund within the context of Guyana’s oil and gas sector.

ANNUAL REPORT 2018-19 | 53

MEETINGS AND EVENTS MAY 31, 2018 – MEETING WITH MINISTER OF BUSINESS ON DRAFT LOCAL CONTENT POLICY Members of the GCCI met with the Minister of Business, Hon. Dominic Gaskin, to open dialogue on the draft local content policy. The GCCI also updated the Minister on the Chamber’s Inaugural Business Development Forum which was held in July 2018.

JUNE 6TH, 2018 – MEETING WITH THEN COMMISSIONER OF POLICE (AG), MR. DAVID RAMNARINE, DSM Executives and Council Members of the GCCI met with Police Commissioner (Ag) Mr. David Ramnarine, DSM and Senior Officers of the Guyana Police Force (GPF). The intent of the meeting was to discuss matters related to crime and traffic, and to examine areas for potential collaboration and cooperation.

JUNE 18TH, 2018 – LAUNCH OF THREE (3) TRADE FACILITATION COUNCILS President of GCCI, Mr. Deodat Indar along with other Executives, launched three (3) Trade Facilitation Councils. Present for the announcement of the Councils were Canadian High Commissioner, Hon. Lilian Chatterjee, Minister of Business, Hon. Dominic Gaskin; Indian High Commissioner, Hon. Venkatachalam Mahalingam, Cuban Ambassador, Hon. Narciso Soeorro; Advisor to Foreign Trade, Mr. Rawle Lucas and other officials. The Trade Facilitation Councils were launched based on MoUs the GCCI signed with India, Cuba and Canada in 2017.

54 | ANNUAL REPORT 2018-19

MEETINGS AND EVENTS JUNE 28TH, 2018 – LAUNCH OF THE 9TH EDITION OF THE BUSINESS GUYANA MAGAZINE The GCCI officially launched the 9th Edition of its Business Guyana Magazine themed “Guyana on the Rise” – An Investor’s Guide to Doing Business in Guyana on Thursday, 28th June 2018. at the Savannah Suite, Pegasus Hotel, Kingston. The evening commenced with a cocktail reception which was followed by dinner, during which time the magazine was unveiled. Mr. Komal Samaroo, Chairman of the Demerara Distillers Limited, delivered the Feature Address.

ANNUAL REPORT 2018-19 | 55

MEETINGS AND EVENTS JULY 21-23 – INAUGURAL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT FORUM The GCCI hosted its Inaugural Business Development Forum to the theme, “Get Competitive, Get Compliant, Get Compensated”. Areas of focus included access to capital, insurance policies, incentives for investment, export market readiness, donor agency funding, modern marketing tools, registration and compliance.

56 | ANNUAL REPORT 2018-19

MEETINGS AND EVENTS AUGUST 8TH, 2018 – MEETING WITH CARIBBEAN DEVELOPMENT BANK (CDB) The GCCI Council met with representatives of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) to discuss a regional Public Expenditure Scrutiny Training project for Members of Parliament (MPs) project which is being piloted in Guyana.

AUGUST 13, 2018 – MEETING WITH UG SCHOOL OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP & BUSINESS INNOVATION (SEBI) The Executive Director met with Dean of the University of Guyana’s School of Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation (SEBI), Professor Leyland Lucas.

AUGUST 18, 2018 – COURTESY CALL BY MAYOR OF THE CITY OF STONECREST, GEORGIA, USA. The GCCI received a courtesy call from Hon. Jason Lary, Mayor of the City of Stonecrest, Georgia, USA.

ANNUAL REPORT 2018-19 | 57

MEETINGS AND EVENTS SEPTEMBER 3, 2018 – MEETING WITH UNITED ARAB EMIRATES EMBASSY President of the GCCI, Mr. Deodat Indar, along with members of the Chamber had a met with Mr. Abdelrahman Almaazmi, representative of this United Arab Emirates Embassy. The aim of this meeting was to discuss possible collaboration and other business opportunities.

SEPTEMBER 12, 2018 – EMPLOYEE/EMPLOYER LABOUR RELATIONS WORKSHOP The GCCI collaborated with the Ministry of Social Protection, Department of Labour to host a two (2) day workshop on Labour Relations. Topics covered included Guyana’s labour legislation, minimum wage, Termination and Severance Act, leave with pay and overtime, and the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

58 | ANNUAL REPORT 2018-19

MEETINGS AND EVENTS SEPTEMBER 19, 2018 – COURTESY CALL BY RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR President of the GCCI, Mr Deodat Indar, was paid a courtesy call by Russian Ambassador, H.E. Mr. Alexander S. Kurmaz.

SEPTEMBER 20, 2018 – MEETING WITH CUBAN TRADE DELEGATION Members of the GCCI met with a Cuban Trade Mission Delegation. The Cuban Delegation participated in GUYTIE and was interested in exploring trade opportunities with businesses in Guyana.

SEPTEMBER 21, 2018 – MEETING WITH SBM OFFSHORE/GUYANA DEEP WATER OPERATIONS INC. Members of the GCCI met with representatives of SBM Offshore/Guyana Deep Water Operations Inc. to discuss opportunities for business and areas of mutual interest.

ANNUAL REPORT 2018-19 | 59

MEETINGS AND EVENTS SEPTEMBER 26, 2018 – GCCI PRESENTS POSITION PAPER ON LOCAL CONTENT LEGISLATION Senior representatives of the GCCI, along with members, met with the Minister of Business, Hon. Dominic Gaskin, and the Director of the Department of Energy, Dr. Mark Bynoe, to present the GCCI’s Position Paper and Model Legislation on Local Content.

OCTOBER 1, 2018- LAUNCH OF THE 9TH CARIBBEAN BEEKEEPING CONGRESS President of the GCCI, Mr. Deodat Indar, delivered opening remarks at the launching of the 9th Caribbean Beekeeping Congress which was held in Guyana from November 19, 2018, to November 23, 2018.

60 | ANNUAL REPORT 2018-19

MEETINGS AND EVENTS OCTOBER 3, 2018 – MEETING WITH COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, LESLIE JAMES, DSS PThe GCCI met with Commissioner of Police, Leslie James, DSS. The team was led by the President of the GCCI, Mr. Deodat Indar and included Junior Vice-President, Mr. Timothy Tucker, Chairman of the Security & Governance Committee, Mr. Gerry Gouviea Jnr., Executive Director, Mr. Richard Rambarran and members of the GCCI.

OCTOBER 4, 2018 – MEETING WITH WORLD BANK DELEGATION Members of the GCCI met with representatives of the World Bank Delegation for a Stakeholder Consultation on the Systematic Country Diagnostic.

OCTOBER 17, 2018 – NEWFOUNDLAND BUSINESS MIXER The GCCI hosted a networking mixer for a visiting delegation from Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada (NOIA) at Palm Court.

ANNUAL REPORT 2018-19 | 61

MEETINGS AND EVENTS

OCTOBER 22, 2018 – COURTESY CALL BY FORMER FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTER OF BARBADOS Senator Maxine McClean, former Foreign Affairs Minister of Barbados, paid a Courtesy Call to the GCCI.

OCTOBER 26, 2018 – GCCI’S INAUGURAL ENERGY FORUM GCCI hosted its Inaugural Guyana Energy Forum (GEF) which provided a platform for the examination of the importance of affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy within the rubric of recent oil and gas discoveries.

62 | ANNUAL REPORT 2018-19

MEETINGS AND EVENTS OCTOBER 29, 2018 – MEETING WITH GRA The GCCI met with the Commissioner General of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), Mr. Godfrey Statia, and respective Heads of Department of the GRA to discuss issues affecting the business community.

NOVEMBER 3, 2018 – GCCI SIGNS MOU WITH GA-FDD The GCCI and the Government Analyst and Food and Drug Department (GA-FDD) signed a one-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for cooperation in agro-processing standards.

NOVEMBER 7, 2018 – GCCI & STREAMLINE MANAGEMENT SERVICES ISO INFORMATION SEMINAR The GCCI collaborated with Streamline Management Services & PECB North America to host an ISO Information Seminar at the Pegasus Hotel. The interactive Seminar covered topics such as the Importance of Standards and a compliant Management System for contractor selection.

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MEETINGS AND EVENTS

NOVEMBER 26, 2018 â€“ ABERDEEN TRADE MISSION A GCCI Oil & Gas Trade Delegation visited Aberdeen, Scotland. During the 3-day mission, the GCCI trade delegation met with an array of North East businesses and organisations in a bid to strengthen relations between the two locations

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MEETINGS AND EVENTS JANUARY 16, 2019 – UK OIL & GAS DELEGATION BUSINESS MIXER The GCCI hosted a Business Mixer to welcome a visiting UK oil & gas delegation from the Energy Industries Council (EIC) – Aberdeen at The Vintage Wine Bar, Restaurant & Lounge. The aim of this event was to allow the business community to further develop the relationship between the UK Oil & Gas Industry, and the newly developing industry in Guyana.

JANUARY 18, 2019 – GCCI JUNIOR VICE-PRESIDENT MEETS WITH TRINIDAD & TOBAGO MINISTER OF TRADE Junior Vice-President of the GCCI, Mr. Timothy Tucker, met with Trade and Industry Minister, Senator the Honourable Paula Gopee-Scoon. Discussions focused on strengthening relationships with Guyanese enterprises.

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MEETINGS AND EVENTS JANUARY 29, 2019 – MEETING WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY The GCCI’s Executive Management Committee and members of the GCCI met with Dr. Mark Bynoe, Director of Department of Energy. The aim of the meeting was to discuss matters related to the Petroleum Industry, including Guyana’s local content policy and the envisioned regulatory environment for the industry.

JANUARY 30, 2019 – MEETING WITH HARVEY GULF INTERNATIONAL MARINE (HGIM) Members of the GCCI met with Mr. Calvin Chinsue, Regional Manager for Harvey Gulf International Marine (HGIM). The aim of the meeting was to discuss a working relationship with the GCCI. Harvey Gulf International Marine, LLC is a marine transportation company that specializes in providing Offshore Supply and Multi-Purpose Support Vessels for deep water operations in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico.

FEBRUARY 4, 2019 – MEETING WITH THE MAYOR & CITY COUNCIL The GCCI met with a team from the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) which were led by the President of the GCCI, Mr. Deodat Indar and His Worship, the Mayor Ubraj Narine, respectively. The intent of the meeting was to establish a working relationship between the two organisations.

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MEETINGS AND EVENTS FEBRUARY 8, 2019 – MEETING WITH LEADER OF THE LIBERTY & JUSTICE PARTY President of the GCCI, Mr. Deodat Indar, was paid a courtesy call at the request of the Leader of the Liberty & Justice Party, Mr. Lennox Shuman. The main aim of the meeting was to formally introduce the LJP Party and Presidential Candidate, Mr. Lennox Shuman to the Chamber.

FEBRUARY 8, 2019 – MEETING WITH REPUBLIC BANK GUYANA Timothy Tucker, Junior Vice-President of the GCCI, led a meeting with representatives from Republic Bank Guyana Ltd. He was accompanied by Senior Vice President, Nicholas Deygoo, and Executive Director, Richard Rambarran. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss concerns relating to Anti-Money Laundering (AML) requirements.

FEBRUARY 15, 2019 – MEETING WITH MARAD Senior Vice President Mr. Nicholas Boyer along with representatives of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry held a meeting with the Guyana Maritime Administration (MARAD) to discuss concerns raised by members of the private sector with respect to maritime security and administration.

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MEETINGS AND EVENTS FEBRUARY 18TH, 2019 – MEETING WITH ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (EPA) The GCCI met with representatives of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to discuss matters related to the Petroleum Industry, including Guyana’s plans and preparedness for an oil spill and the environmental regulatory framework envisioned by the EPA for the industry.

FEBRUARY 19, 2019 – MEETING WITH GRA TO DISCUSS ASYCUDA The GCCI met with senior representatives of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) to discuss concerns raised by members of the private sector with respect to the implementation of the Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA).

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ANNUAL AWARDS PRESENTATION & GALA DINNER 2018 On Wednesday, December 12th, 2018, the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) held its Annual Awards Presentation and Gala Dinner at the Guyana Marriott Hotel. With this high-profile annual event, the GCCI applauds the efforts of those who continue to drive Guyana forward through their involvement and leadership in the business community. Brief remarks were given by CEO of GTT, Mr. Justin Nedd. The Featured Speaker of this special occasion was Former President and Leader of the Opposition, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo.

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ANNUAL AWARDS PRESENTATION & GALA DINNER 2018 THE 2018 AWARD CATEGORIES AND RECIPIENTS WERE: PUBLIC SERVICE AWARD OF EXCELLENCE Presented to GUYANA OFFICE FOR INVESTMENT (GOINVEST) For effectively facilitating the work of the business community by exhibiting the highest standard of service.

BUSINESS OF THE YEAR (SMALL TO MEDIUM) AWARD Presented to WINEDAYS In recognition of the company’s demonstration of good overall performance in the areas of financial growth, customer satisfaction, internal processes improvements, employee relations, development and corporate citizenship.

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BUSINESS OF THE YEAR (LARGE) AWARD Presented to HAND IN HAND MUTUAL FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY LIMITED In recognition of the company’s demonstration of good overall performance in the areas of financial growth, customer satisfaction, internal processes improvements, employee relations, development and corporate citizenship.

CORPORATE CITIZENSHIP AWARD Presented to REPUBLIC BANK (GUYANA) LIMITED In recognition of the company’s demonstration of ethical leadership, good corporate governance and community investment.

ANNUAL AWARDS PRESENTATION & GALA DINNER 2018 YOUNG BUSINESS EXECUTIVE AWARD

AWARD OF INNOVATION

Presented to ANIJE LAMBERT In recognition of the demonstration of ambition, skill, vision and tangible business success under the age of forty.

Presented to NEW GPC INC. In recognition of recorded breakthrough achievements in technology, processes, marketing campaigns and development that have impacted positively on quality of products, services, customer satisfaction, process efficiencies, employee satisfaction and company/product image.

WOMEN IN BUSINESS AWARD

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Presented to KERENSA GRAVESANDE-BART In recognition of women who possess vision, innovation, entrepreneurial drive, leadership, individuality and tenacity with the ultimate goal being to present role models for other women to aspire to become.

Presented to CAPT. GERALD GOUVEIA For his contributions to the development of the Business Environment in Guyana which present opportunities for learning in future generations.

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ANNUAL AWARDS PRESENTATION & GALA DINNER 2018 PRESIDENT’S AWARD

CHAMBER AWARD

Presented to PURAN BROTHERS In recognition of the company’s continual business excellence through positive business growth, superior customer service and an outstanding commitment to quality.

Presented to KOMAL RAMNAUTH In recognition of loyal and distinguished service, and outstanding contributions the Chamber.

CEO OF GTT, MR. JUSTIN NEDD, DELIVERING BRIEF REMARKS.

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FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE COOPERATIVE REPUBLIC OF GUYANA AND LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION, DR. BHARRAT JAGDEO, PRESENTING FEATURE REMARKS.

ANNUAL AWARDS PRESENTATION & GALA DINNER 2018 THE GCCI HONORED ITS PAST PRESIDENTS FOR THE LEADERSHIP AND THE CONTRIBUTIONS THEY WOULD HAVE MADE DURING THEIR PRESIDENCIES.

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