February 9, 2022
High Commissioner Miller said the British Government through its High Commission will be looking to the fair competition when it comes to the bidding for big projects, noting that it is an issue that the Commission will continue to raise with the government.
As Guyana continues to see more foreign investment interest, the British High Commissioner to Guyana, Jane Miller believes there should be greater transparency in the tendering process for contracts, as the country develops and attracts international investors.
During a press conference today on the heels of a visit by a group of British investors and businessmen, the High Commissioner related that as Guyana continues to grow, especially due to the Oil and Gas Sector, there is a need for the strengthening of the procurement process.
“This country is growing incredibly fast, the resources are gigantic, and as you say transparency is so important. So, it’s an area where I feel capability still needs strengthening and I definitely know it’s on the mind of the Government at the moment”, she said.
High Commissioner Miller said the British Government through its High Commission here will be looking to see fair competition when it comes to bidding for big projects. She said it is an issue that the Commission will continue to raise with the government.
“It’s something that we are going to keep our eyes on. I think it’s an important issue that (was) raised and it will be something that we will keep raising with the Government”, Ms. Miller assured.
Since Guyana started oil production just over a year ago, the country has seen hundreds of investors and international businesses rushing to its shores to seek out investment opportunities as the country prepares for infrastructural growth and development.
There continue to be calls from interest groups for greater oversight of the procurement process in the country.
The Public Procurement Commission is still to be reconstituted although the process to get it working again has started.
President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Timothy Tucker during the press conference with the British High Commissioner said the laws of Guyana have mechanisms in place to address concerns by bidders who believe they might have been sidelined wrongfully or cheated out of contracts.
“For any company that is bidding for a contract, if they think that they have not been fairly evaluated adjudicated or there is a company that is getting a contract through any other means, they have the mechanism that you can object, you can take it to Court. We have seen it being used many times before in the past”, Tucker explained.
Guyana is currently preparing to host a major oil and gas international conference next week and that event has already caught the attention of several international investors who have been eyeing Guyana and its prospects.
