The new mall will compare with any in the region Prime Minister Nagamootoo stated, adding that it shows that “as business persons in Guyana, we can match up to the best anywhere in the world. This shows the determination of not just one person and the Beepat family, but also how far we can go if we can bring together the efforts and resources of insurance companies, banks, of business persons and other sectors outside of complexes like this. If they can all pool their resources, then you can make such a Giftland possible, not only in Georgetown, but in other parts of Guyana.”

 

He added, on behalf of his Cabinet colleague, Minister of Infrastructure David Patterson, who was criticised for repairing a road in front of his residence, he was proud to have had the road way to the mall completed since, “All roads by this Government must lead to jobs, and this was in fact one of those roads that would lead to Guyanese employment”.

 

Also speaking on Government’s behalf was Minister of Business and Investment Dominic Gaskin, who stated that “Once Guyana demonstrates its commitment to good governance; Guyana will become more attractive for investors. Never before has there been such a clear and direct connection established between government and the business community. This is recognition that at the end of the day, it is the private sector, whose investment will drive the growth of this economy and provide the revenues that government needs to carry its programmes to improve the lives of the Guyanese people.  All of this will see the provision of better health care, enhanced public security and more.”

 

“Predictability” was key to attracting the investments needed to propel the country’s economy, Minister Gaskin noted as opposed to, “an unpredictable regime to which investors have been subjected. “One of the most frequent complaints that I have received in my six weeks in office is that of long delays in various processes related to doing business in Guyana, and the perception that certain businesses have special access that allows them to navigate the bureaucracy more smoothly than the rest and even pick up a few concessions along the way.

 

Minister Gaskin added that a priority for him is the addressing of “the delays and obstacles involved in investing” in Guyana. He said that "There is a sense that the process is unfair, and there is also great lack of clarity when it comes to what businesses can expect in dealing with the bureaucracy." The Minister said this matter needs urgent attention, "because one of the most critical facts in determining investor confidence is that of certainty."

 

He noted that few investors can be certain about how much profit they make and that is part of what makes business a risky venture. "You can win and you can lose and that is understood, but there needs to be certainty and this is particularly critical when it comes to the decisions and concessions and approvals and licenCes issued by the State." The Minister said with the right effort, the way Guyana does business could be greatly improved. He reiterated his Ministry’s mantra that “Guyana means business” and cited the new mall as a prime example of this.

 

Chairman of Giftland Mall’s Board of Directors, Rudy Collins, promised on the company’s behalf, to offer the best possible service and world class amenities, along with an entertainment and shopping environment second to none in the Caribbean.

 

Addressing briefly those gathered, Roy Beepat thanked all of those who believed in his vision and made the mall, a reality.

 

Brief remarks were also given by the following investors:Corporate Banking First Citizens Bank Trinidad General Manager Brian Woo and Manager Nadine Paul; GBTI Chief Executive Officer John Tracy; Assuria Insurance CEO Stephan Smith; Country Director Rubis Ricardo Milford; Chairman of Nand Persaud Investments Mohan Persaud; and Caribbean Cinemas CEO Robert Carrady.

 

The Giftland Mall, located at Turkeyen, between the Arthur Chung  Convention Centre and the Caricom Secretariat, is aimed at fulfilling the entertainment needs of all regardless of their socio-economic backgroundThe facility features Wi-Fi service, 24-hour security with more than 75 security guards and traffic wardens, and in excess of 350 Closed Circuit TV cameras.

 

For meals and refreshments, the facility has a 500- seat capacity food court with 16 different outlets, four fine dining restaurants offering Chinese, English, Indian and Italian cuisine, a British pub, a Brazilian grill, an American sports bar and coffee shop.

 

For entertainment, the mall offers a 3,500-square foot video arcade/children’s restaurant.  It also has Caribbean Cinemas, with eight multiplex theatres, a supermarket, beauty salons, health and nutrition facilities, barber shops and jewellery stores. Visitors will also be able to enjoy four aquariums, 20-ft. long, with fresh and saltwater fish. There are also facilities for bungee jumping, zip lines and rock climbing.

Transportation will be handled with a 36-station sheltered bus terminal with washroom facilities. It is intended that the station will become a hub for all minibuses servicing the Georgetown and East Coast routes. Free shuttles will be provided from the bus terminal to the University of Guyana from 6:00 am to 12:00pm, to cater for the 7,000-plus students and faculty members.