Guyana to transition to renewable, clean and cheaper sources of energy - President Granger at opening ceremony of GuyExpo 2016

Published: 13 May 2016, Source

The President, who has been pushing for the development of green technologies and a sustainable approach to the exploitation of the country’s natural resources in the fight against climate change, since his administration took office, said that Guyana must wean itself off of its addiction to fossil fuels, since the importation of these fuels exacts a heavy burden on the economy.

Guyana, in 2012 alone, expended the equivalent of 24 per cent of its Gross Domestic Product on petroleum-based products. It is this context that the President said that Guyana needs a Green Development Strategy, which will create the needed transformation.

“We will transition our economy rapidly towards renewable, clean and cheaper sources of energy. We will craft a comprehensive Coastal Zone Management Plan to protect human habitation, our coastal economic sectors and coastal ecosystems. We will create ‘green’ enterprises and jobs and we will inculcate ‘green’ education in our schools. Guyana’s ‘green’ development strategy will rest on four pillars: energy; environmental security, ecological services, enterprise and employment,” he said.

On energy, the President said that Guyana will rapidly accelerate the transition towards renewable sources of energy as part of its ‘green’ development thrust.

“We will invest in solar, wind, hydro and biomass sources of energy over the next five years. We have the potential for generating hydro-electricity with more than one hundred sites, which are suitable for the development of large or small projects, the potential for the development of wind energy from wind farms along the 425 km long coastline, the potential for Solar energy generation since irradiation levels are high, making Guyana ideal for the establishment of industrial scale solar farms, the potential for producing energy from bagasse and other by products from the rice and sugar industry,” President Granger said.

The Government, he said, will lead the way in transitioning towards greater renewable energy use. Every government building, including hospitals and schools will, within the next five years, be utilising alternative sources of energy, President Granger promised. Energy- saving devices will be encouraged in order to promote energy conservation while the Government will offer incentives to catalyse private investment in renewable energy.

A ‘green’ economy, the Head of State said, must be a clean economy, noting that “our communities must evince cleanliness and healthiness and free of litter. Our waterways must be protected from pollution. Municipal and neighbourhood councils must have solid waste disposal plans. Citizens must enjoy the good life in a safe and clean environment. We will, therefore, rigidly enforce laws against littering. We will promote the use of bio-degradable packaging materials. The Regional, Municipal and Neighbourhood Councils must ensure that there are adequate, properly managed and safe solid-waste dumpsites and sewage processing facilities in every region.”

In the meantime, Minister of Business, Mr. Dominic Gaskin, in his brief remarks, noted that GuyExpo 2016 is more than just an event. As the country prepares to celebrate its 50th independence anniversary, Minister Gaskin said that the event provides the ideal opportunity for Guyana to evaluate its position and refocus on where it needs to be in the field.

“As a nation, we have a lot that we can be proud of… however when it comes to our economy, I believe that had we known back in 1966 that 50 years later we would be where we are today perhaps we would have planned things differently. We have not become the dynamic enterprising regional powerhouse that we ought to have been after 50 years in the business of self-determination. GuyExpo 2016 provides a baseline from which we must progressively develop an economy that in 10 years’ time, while still growing, will be the envy of the region and this is entirely possible,” Minister Gaskin said.

It is his belief that the event can become the best regionally, which can provide the platform for businesses, both new and established businesses, to create their marks.

“Guyana means business must become the slogan for the event and it must become the launch pad for businesses seeking access to local and foreign markets. GuyExpo is intended to serve a purpose,” he said.

Ms. Dawn Holder-Alert, Chairperson of the GuyExpo 2016 Committee said that there are approximately 260 exhibitors this year at the venue. She noted that a tremendous amount of effort has gone into every aspect of the event, which caters to small, medium and large businesses.

Additionally, she disclosed that the Ministry will be providing workshops to the exhibitors during the four days so that they benefit not only from sales but expertise. The workshops will focus on the benefits of social media, packaging and labelling, creating a business plan and obtaining finance among others.

President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) Mr. Vishnu Doerga in his comments said that the forum provides and highlights available business opportunities and for this reason alone, it must be praised and appreciated.

Exhibitor Jenell Pierre, the founder of Bow-Jays, a small business which provides custom made bow ties, in an invited comment said that the event provides her with the ideal opportunity to network and interact with her customers.

The opening ceremony was also attended by First Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and his wife, Sita Nagamootoo, Ministers of the Government, members of the National Assembly, members of the Diplomatic Corps, members of the Private sector among other stakeholders.

The event will run until Sunday, May 15, 2016.