Is Guyana’s manufacturing sector dying? Tamarind balls and coconut water from Thailand, Rice from Pakistan, Packaged plantain chips from Jamaica, Packaged roti and puri from Suriname on our local shelves

By: Kiana Wilburg, Aug 15, 2016 News, http://www.kaieteurnewsonline....me-on-our-local-she/

Rice from Pakistan.

Tamarind balls and coconut water from Thailand.

Packaged roti and dhal puri from Suriname.

These are just five of many imported items that are slowly taking over local markets.

In the face of this, many entrepreneurs acknowledge that Guyana is already producing some of these products and has the potential to manufacture many other imported goods.

So what is causing the proliferation and domination of these imported products? Is it an indication that our manufacturing sector will soon lose its relevance and die a slow death? Does it signify that our manufacturers are being stifled by a less than enabling environment? Or are they just too lazy to be innovative and competitive?

According to manufacturers, one of the main reasons for the saturation of imported products which can and are being produced here, has to do with the culture of the manufacturing sector itself.

One manufacturer said: “I think this culture of the manufacturing sector has changed and there are a number of reasons why it has moved from being an extremely diverse area in our economy to one that is filled with numerous traders. And it is simple. It is just easier and cheaper to trade.

It isn’t easy becoming a manufacturer here. That is like a philosophical ideal of a job now. In the 70s and 80s, Guyana’s manufacturing sector was an extremely vibrant and innovative field. We were producing all of our own jellies, matches, detergents, milk, cheese, cooking condiments, house hold appliances etc.

“Then all of a sudden, we ended up in an environment where the culture of manufacturing is about some traditional items like rums, paint, rice and sugar. This 10 to 18 percent growth rate that we keep talking about in the manufacturing sector is really false too because the only thing that keeps it up in that bracket is rice and sugar producers. Take them out and you would really see where the manufacturing sector’s growth is at. We are stagnant.”

Roti imported from Suriname

Tamarind Candy Balls imported from Thailand

Another manufacturer, CEO of Umami Products, Chris Persaud believes that the current state of the sector is due to, among other things, the failure of manufacturers to adapt to the relevant technology.

He said that manufacturers should be upset that products such as roti, dhal puri, sweet tamarind and coconut water are being imported.

“I am upset by that and we have a right to be upset. We have to be upset when we see imported plantain chips taking over the local markets. But why cry? Because we have the product already here but some manufacturers just don’t want to put the effort into doing proper and effective packaging.

“Before Umami products came into the market, there were a lot of pepper sauces on the market. But what did we do? We didn’t try to reinvent the wheel or cry about what is taking over the market. We polished the wheel and now our products are on top. Packaging and branding is a simple but effective technique. The only way we will improve is if we move away from the mindset that putting some plantain chips in a bag and sealing it with a little bit of wax is acceptable. We have to move forward from that. We can’t be content with that…”

Another manufacturer, from the agro-processing field, believes that the tardiness by the authorities in passing Investment Agreements is also hindering the sector. The manufacturer said that this is an important element in having an enabling environment to encourage manufacturers.

Karim’s Rice imported from Pakistan

Soldanza Plantain Chips from Jamaica

She stressed that some manufacturers may have the desire to be innovative but Guyana’s slow systems can place a damper on one’s plans to “shake up the industry.”

Other manufacturers believe that the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) needs to put an end to its annual excuse that high electricity is plaguing the sector needs to come to an end.

They posit that it was an issue in the 90s and it never killed the manufacturing sector then and it is not responsible for the state of affairs today.

“What we need are the right concessions from Government, a willingness from financial institutions to be more lender-friendly to manufacturers and the GMSA to actually do its work.”

GMSA Head, Eon Caesar was unavailable yesterday for comment. In the meantime, several other members of the GMSA Executive Committee agreed that it is indeed an embarrassment to the sector that certain products which can be produced and packaged here, are dominating the local markets.

They chalked it up to the laziness of some manufacturers and their failure to be inventive.

One member in particular opined that the saturation of the markets with some imported goods can also be attributed to the failure of agencies such as the Bureau of Standards to ensure that low quality or inferior products do not make it into the markets.

But Chairman of the Private Sector Commission (PSC), Eddie Boyer did not see anything wrong with similar products being brought into the market. For him, it all serves to promote competition.

Coconut water imported from Thailand

Sweet Tamarind imported from Thailand

He insists that consumers have the right to choose between a product that is made here and one that is imported. He said that before, there existed some level of protectionism for local manufacturers but that is long gone.

The crux of his perspective was that the presence of imported products challenges local manufacturers to be more competitive and to essentially “up their game.”

Finance Minister, Winston Jordan who is expected to meet with the GMSA this week, has been unashamedly critical of the Association for crying out about the challenges it faced; challenges which have been affecting the sector “since Noah built the ark.”

He bemoaned the fact that no product of Guyanese origin is a household name in Caricom, save and except El Dorado rum.

Jordan acknowledges that strides have been made by some in the sector. Regardless of this, the Finance Minister believes that the sector can do much more and has been doing much more in the past.

“I reflect on the 1970s and 1980s – periods in our history that were characterized by economic crises that led to banning and restrictions of many items. And I recall the inventions, innovations and the sheer will to survive that those crises called forth.”

“In those trying times, more goods were manufactured, canned or assembled domestically: vehicles, bicycles, refrigerators, freezers, radio, matches, tooth paste, etc. In the agriculture sector, we had canned pineapple and orange juice, smoked and other forms of ham, salted fish, and so forth.

“Even in the 1980s, an enterprising Frenchman took heart of palm, canned it in a place not known for its electricity, and exported the finished product to French Guiana and France.”

The Finance Minister said, that too many of Guyana’s private sector players seem content to chase after the quick dollar by importing a lot of cheap products to be sold in a low-wage economy. He said that some of the items are of such poor quality and low standard that he marvels at how they could find a market in Guyana.

Jordan said that manufacturing in Guyana must become a key driver of rapid economic growth, and the associated creation of employment, both directly and indirectly.

The economist said that there is considerable accumulated evidence that manufacturing still functions as the heart of the economic development process. Jordan said that to transcend the dominant and traditional revenue earners, “we must manufacture. We must add value.”

To be continued …

Is pnc time, no need to manufacture, just wait on oil. 

Drugb posted:

Is pnc time, no need to manufacture, just wait on oil. 

Did your fren do anything for the years he been in? Go ahead, let's hear what Champion ah de Soil Buckta did for his people other than killing spree on black people and those who have the audacity to go against him. Go ahead, give it a shot.

Is Guyana’s manufacturing sector dying? Pt. 3 … Absence of policy led to importation of ridiculous products – Chris Ram

By Kiana Wilburg, Aug 18, 2016, News, http://www.kaieteurnewsonline....-products-chris-ram/

The importation of some absurd products into local markets is exactly what happens when there is no strong manufacturing policy to guide the sector. This is according to Chartered Accountant, Christopher Ram.

Chartered Accountant, Chris Ram

The auditor reflected on some of the ridiculous products being imported into Guyana’s markets. He recalled that Kaieteur News had carried on Monday and Wednesday, two publications which focused on just a few of the items that are being imported from various countries. Some of these include; coconut water and tamarind candy balls from Thailand, packaged roti and puri from Suriname, water from Trinidad and Tobago, and sugarcane juice from Canada.

Ram said it is clear that the local manufacturing sector is just not focusing on the making of these products.

He even added that Guyana, which boasts of a self-sufficient livestock sector, is engaged in the importation of pig tail from New Zealand.

“But I think this is all grounded in the absence of a strong manufacturing policy. And compounding this issue is the fact that we are encouraging all these traders to come here without any regard for our Investment Act,” expressed Ram.

He said that he can understand that Guyana may be expected to adhere to certain trade obligations under the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME) movement.

Ram noted that CSME is an arrangement among the CARICOM States for the creation of a single enlarged economic space through the removal of restrictions resulting in the free movement of goods, services, people, capital and technology.

But be that as it may, the auditor stressed that having an environment where products from all other countries can be allowed to flood the local markets is simply shortsighted on Guyana’s part.

“Surely agro-industrial production ought to be part of any national policy that we are going to have in the future. But I wish to note that there was a time where we used to have quite viable industries. I remember seeing our canning factories and our own pasteurization plants. Where are those things today? Where is our policy?”

While Ram emphasized that there is the need for a strong manufacturing policy, he said that this is just part of the problem that is affecting the sector.

“For me, a lack of a policy is part of the problem that is affecting us. But honestly, the people that we have in the sector just want to be ‘buy and sellers’. We have mostly traders. Even our major manufacturing entities now, they are getting into ‘other things’”

Ram said that when it comes to the policy, provisions must be made to stimulate the manufacturing sector in such a way that it does not see the granting of unreasonably large concessions.

He then turned his attention to the statistics on the manufacturing sector.

Over the years, the sector’s performance has been trapped in the 10 to 23 percent growth rate performance. Numerous financial analysts have bemoaned the fact that the sector is actually being heavily supported by rice and sugar production. It has also been contended that given the aforementioned, the real performance of the sector is often masked.

Finance Minister, Winston Jordan during his presentation of the 2016 budget, also acknowledged that the manufacturing sector achieved a growth rate of 5.3 percent, which was basically driven by growth in the sugar and rice industries, as well as other manufacturing.

The economist asserted that the manufacturing sector is projected to decline by 0.7 percent, as a consequence of the scaling back of rice production.

In his 2015 budget, Jordan had said that the Manufacturing Sector grew by 10.7 percent, thanks to improved performances of rice, sugar and other light manufacturing. He had said at the time that this sector continues to hold the promise of massive expansion and robust growth, and this can be realized when downstream activities, especially in the forestry sector, are implemented.

With that in mind, Ram said, “The processing of cane and paddy are counted as part of manufacturing and it is always useful to disaggregate that when looking at the contribution of this sector to the overall economy”.

He said, too, that in the quest to formulate a policy to guide the sector, it is going to require of the population to be prepared to support local industry and in turn, local manufacturing industry must be committed to providing quality products at an affordable price.

To be continued …

Drugb posted:

Is pnc time, no need to manufacture, just wait on oil. 

So I guess manufacturing wasn't important under the PPP as drug trafficking was preferable.

To attract investments in the manufacturing sector you need the following in addition to other stuffs:

1) Reliable and inexpensive supply of energy (Amalia)

2) Effective communication via phone and internet

3) Physical infrastructures to transport goods including roads and ports

4)  Tax incentives from gov't.

5) Removal all things that hinders the proper functioning a business.

6) Teach Guyanese to talk less, work more, and consume less alcohol and drugs.

 7) Educate them that the prosperity of one or more individual does not deprive everyone else of their share. 

8) Let them become aware of the 12 hour shifts Guyanese work in NYC and Toronto to cut it. 

9) Learn to cook Chinese Foods and even sell it. They copy from us. Let's copy from them

Billy Ram Balgobin posted:

To attract investments in the manufacturing sector you need the following in addition to other stuffs:

1) Reliable and inexpensive supply of energy (Amalia)

2)

When the PPP refunds the $5 million that was paid to Fip Motilall, and gets 3rd party verification that this is the best site for hydro power.

The PPP did none of that and Amalia was going to be another Skeldon factory......with a BILLION (US) dollar price tag!

caribny posted:

Billy Ram Balgobin posted:

To attract investments in the manufacturing sector you need the following in addition to other stuffs:

1) Reliable and inexpensive supply of energy (Amalia)

2)

When the PPP refunds the $5 million that was paid to Fip Motilall, and gets 3rd party verification that this is the best site for hydro power.

The PPP did none of that and Amalia was going to be another Skeldon factory......with a BILLION (US) dollar price tag!

You ought to consult with Cathy Hughes about this.  She has become a notorious shyster. 

The manufactiring sector in Guyana is at a major disadvantage given the cost of power.  The clueless, visionless, hapless PNC/AFC cannot change that.  The PPP knew they were hamstrung and needed Amelia to breakout of that deadlock.  The clowns in the PNC/AFC did not want to understand that as they had their anti-Guyana power-grsab agenda.  The two blind mice taking Guyana straight to the economic waterfall again!  Oil cannot come fast enough to save this blighted pair!

ba$eman posted:

Oil cannot come fast enough to save this blighted pair!

While indeed oil will provide some benefits to Guyana, similar to the past explorations, perhaps nothing will develop.

Because of USA's issues with Venezuela, there indeed can be talks and expectations of oil development in Guyana.  However and unfortunately, as soon as issues are resolved/addresses in Venezuela, things will be back to normal with no production in Guyana.

Billy Ram Balgobin posted:

To attract investments in the manufacturing sector you need the following in addition to other stuffs:

1) Reliable and inexpensive supply of energy (Amalia)

While in opposition PNC/AFC squandered the opportunity for hydroelectric power development -- Amalia.

caribny posted:

Billy Ram Balgobin posted:

To attract investments in the manufacturing sector you need the following in addition to other stuffs:

1) Reliable and inexpensive supply of energy (Amalia)

2)

When the PPP refunds the $5 million that was paid to Fip Motilall, and gets 3rd party verification that this is the best site for hydro power.

The PPP did none of that and Amalia was going to be another Skeldon factory......with a BILLION (US) dollar price tag!

The PPP wanted Guyanese taxpayers to pay US$1 Billion for a 165 megawatt plant while simliar plants were being built all over the world for less than half of that cost. And these clowns here see nothing wrong with that. The Guyanese taxpayers would have been dragging around that billion dollar goadie for many years like they are currently doing with the Skeldon sugar factory. 

Mars posted:

caribny posted:

Billy Ram Balgobin posted:

To attract investments in the manufacturing sector you need the following in addition to other stuffs:

1) Reliable and inexpensive supply of energy (Amalia)

2)

When the PPP refunds the $5 million that was paid to Fip Motilall, and gets 3rd party verification that this is the best site for hydro power.

The PPP did none of that and Amalia was going to be another Skeldon factory......with a BILLION (US) dollar price tag!

The PPP wanted Guyanese taxpayers to pay US$1 Billion for a 165 megawatt plant while simliar plants were being built all over the world for less than half of that cost. And these clowns here see nothing wrong with that. The Guyanese taxpayers would have been dragging around that billion dollar goadie for many years like they are currently doing with the Skeldon sugar factory. 

I don't think there is much if any credibility to your statement about the cost of building Amelia. If it were so then the Norwegian would have raised hell about it since their petro dollars are allocated for that project.

Billy Ram Balgobin posted:

caribny posted:

Billy Ram Balgobin posted:

To attract investments in the manufacturing sector you need the following in addition to other stuffs:

1) Reliable and inexpensive supply of energy (Amalia)

2)

When the PPP refunds the $5 million that was paid to Fip Motilall, and gets 3rd party verification that this is the best site for hydro power.

The PPP did none of that and Amalia was going to be another Skeldon factory......with a BILLION (US) dollar price tag!

You ought to consult with Cathy Hughes about this.  She has become a notorious shyster. 

Cathy didn't pay Fip, or select him.  The PPP did.

ba$eman posted:

The manufactiring sector in Guyana is at a major disadvantage given the cost of power.  

Cease with your babble.  The DR, Jamaica and Barbados all have more developed manufacturing sectors, yet depend on the same source of energy.

Billy Ram Balgobin posted:

Mars posted:

caribny posted:

Billy Ram Balgobin posted:

To attract investments in the manufacturing sector you need the following in addition to other stuffs:

1) Reliable and inexpensive supply of energy (Amalia)

2)

When the PPP refunds the $5 million that was paid to Fip Motilall, and gets 3rd party verification that this is the best site for hydro power.

The PPP did none of that and Amalia was going to be another Skeldon factory......with a BILLION (US) dollar price tag!

The PPP wanted Guyanese taxpayers to pay US$1 Billion for a 165 megawatt plant while simliar plants were being built all over the world for less than half of that cost. And these clowns here see nothing wrong with that. The Guyanese taxpayers would have been dragging around that billion dollar goadie for many years like they are currently doing with the Skeldon sugar factory. 

I don't think there is much if any credibility to your statement about the cost of building Amelia. If it were so then the Norwegian would have raised hell about it since their petro dollars are allocated for that project.

Norway is donating money to Guyana as part of the low carbon commitment they made. They have no choice. That we are diverting the money to be used as a tiny fraction of the cost of the plant is irrelevant.

Note that I compiled this list when the Euro was $1.30 vs the US dollar. It is even cheaper now to build these plants with the Euro being depressed.

Turkey's Ilisu hydropower plant currently being built, will generate 1200 MW and the construction cost is $1.7 billion at a cost of $1.416 million per MW.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Il%C4%B1su_Dam

Sudan's Merowe hydropower plant was recently built at a total cost of Euro 1.2 billion and it generates 1250 MW. Euro 1.2 billion X 1.30 = $1.56 billion. Cost per megawatt = $1.248 million per MW.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merowe_Dam

Ethiopia's Gilgel Gibe III is under construction and is estimated to cost Euro 1.55 billion = $2.015 billion. It will generate 1870 MW at a cost of$1.078 million per MW.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gilgel_Gibe_III_Dam

Ethiopia's Gilgel Gibe II hydropower plant was recently built at a total cost of Euro 373 million = $484 million. It generates 420 MW at a cost of$1.150 million per MW.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G...ibe_II_Power_Station

The Kishanganga Hydroelectric Plant is being built in India at a total cost of $687 million and will generate 330 MW for a cost = $2.081 million per MW.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K..._Hydroelectric_Plant

Amaila Falls hydropower plant will cost $840 million and generate 165 MW for a cost of $5.089 million per MW. 

Aren't you concerned that Amaila will cost more than twice per MW as other contemporary plants being built? 

The IMF was concerned that even the most corrupt countries in the world can build hydroelectric plants at less than half of what it's costing in Guyana. PPP officials would have gotten rich off the backs of poor Guyanese when this project is over but you PPP toadies don't care that this would have been the biggest scam in Guyana's history. All you need to do is to look at the disaster with the Fip Motilall fiasco to see where this project was heading. Tiefery at its max. 

Mars posted:

Billy Ram Balgobin posted:

Mars posted:

caribny posted:

Billy Ram Balgobin posted:

To attract investments in the manufacturing sector you need the following in addition to other stuffs:

1) Reliable and inexpensive supply of energy (Amalia)

2)

When the PPP refunds the $5 million that was paid to Fip Motilall, and gets 3rd party verification that this is the best site for hydro power.

The PPP did none of that and Amalia was going to be another Skeldon factory......with a BILLION (US) dollar price tag!

The PPP wanted Guyanese taxpayers to pay US$1 Billion for a 165 megawatt plant while simliar plants were being built all over the world for less than half of that cost. And these clowns here see nothing wrong with that. The Guyanese taxpayers would have been dragging around that billion dollar goadie for many years like they are currently doing with the Skeldon sugar factory. 

I don't think there is much if any credibility to your statement about the cost of building Amelia. If it were so then the Norwegian would have raised hell about it since their petro dollars are allocated for that project.

Norway is donating money to Guyana as part of the low carbon commitment they made. They have no choice. That we are diverting the money to be used as a tiny fraction of the cost of the plant is irrelevant.

Note that I compiled this list when the Euro was $1.30 vs the US dollar. It is even cheaper now to build these plants with the Euro being depressed.

Turkey's Ilisu hydropower plant currently being built, will generate 1200 MW and the construction cost is $1.7 billion at a cost of $1.416 million per MW.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Il%C4%B1su_Dam

 

Sudan's Merowe hydropower plant was recently built at a total cost of Euro 1.2 billion and it generates 1250 MW. Euro 1.2 billion X 1.30 = $1.56 billion. Cost per megawatt = $1.248 million per MW.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merowe_Dam

 

Ethiopia's Gilgel Gibe III is under construction and is estimated to cost Euro 1.55 billion = $2.015 billion. It will generate 1870 MW at a cost of$1.078 million per MW.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gilgel_Gibe_III_Dam

 

 

Ethiopia's Gilgel Gibe II hydropower plant was recently built at a total cost of Euro 373 million = $484 million. It generates 420 MW at a cost of$1.150 million per MW.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G...ibe_II_Power_Station

 

The Kishanganga Hydroelectric Plant is being built in India at a total cost of $687 million and will generate 330 MW for a cost = $2.081 million per MW.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K..._Hydroelectric_Plant

 

 

Amaila Falls hydropower plant will cost $840 million and generate 165 MW for a cost of $5.089 million per MW. 

 

Aren't you concerned that Amaila will cost more than twice per MW as other contemporary plants being built? 

 

The IMF was concerned that even the most corrupt countries in the world can build hydroelectric plants at less than half of what it's costing in Guyana. PPP officials would have gotten rich off the backs of poor Guyanese when this project is over but you PPP toadies don't care that this would have been the biggest scam in Guyana's history. All you need to do is to look at the disaster with the Fip Motilall fiasco to see where this project was heading. Tiefery at its max. 

 

Banna this conversation has been beaten to death but these PPP losers obviously can't read, don't know math, so they still argue stupidly over this.

cain posted:

Drugb posted:

Is pnc time, no need to manufacture, just wait on oil. 

Did your fren do anything for the years he been in? Go ahead, let's hear what Champion ah de Soil Buckta did for his people other than killing spree on black people and those who have the audacity to go against him. Go ahead, give it a shot.

Speak to the incompetency of the PNC, don't look over your shoulder of the past. They are in power now. I expect you to hold them accountable. But I see you need a bogey man to deflect from this incompetent lot that you support. 

Drugb posted:

 

Speak to the incompetency of the PNC, don't look over your shoulder of the past. They are in power now. I expect you to hold them accountable. But I see you need a bogey man to deflect from this incompetent lot that you support. 

AAh yes.  We cannot talk of the past of a mere 15 months ago, but must use the past of 31 years ago as an excuse.

caribny posted:

Drugb posted:

 

Speak to the incompetency of the PNC, don't look over your shoulder of the past. They are in power now. I expect you to hold them accountable. But I see you need a bogey man to deflect from this incompetent lot that you support. 

AAh yes.  We cannot talk of the past of a mere 15 months ago, but must use the past of 31 years ago as an excuse.

Granger et al destroyed the country in 15 months. I noticed you were visibly absent on the friends and family thread. A certain referendum on your support for this type of crookish activity as long as a Black man is the recipient. 

Drugb posted:

caribny posted:

Drugb posted:

 

Speak to the incompetency of the PNC, don't look over your shoulder of the past. They are in power now. I expect you to hold them accountable. But I see you need a bogey man to deflect from this incompetent lot that you support. 

AAh yes.  We cannot talk of the past of a mere 15 months ago, but must use the past of 31 years ago as an excuse.

Granger et al destroyed the country in 15 months. I noticed you were visibly absent on the friends and family thread. A certain referendum on your support for this type of crookish activity as long as a Black man is the recipient. 

Thanks for reminding me, I have to go over here and call you bad names.

Drugb posted:

.

Granger et al destroyed the country in 15 months. I noticed you were visibly absent on the friends and family thread. A certain referendum on your support for this type of crookish activity as long as a Black man is the recipient. 

I have made references to all the weakness of APNU AFC even before the election.

Now resume your defense of the PPP even though they tried a fast one of pushing a hydro dam built at double the usual costs, with the PPP no doubt planning to pocket 50%.

In fact druggie you love to blame all the ills of the Indians on blacks. I see you now want to blame all the failures of the PPP on Granger, as you pretend as if anything has changed in the past 15 months.

What upsets people is that NOTHING has changed.  The PPP Friends and Family plan has been replaced by the APNU AFC Friends and Family plan.  I can say that at least under APNU AFC there is more ethnic diversity as the Indo oligarchs are right there benefitting.

Billy Ram Balgobin posted:

Mars posted:

caribny posted:

Billy Ram Balgobin posted:

To attract investments in the manufacturing sector you need the following in addition to other stuffs:

1) Reliable and inexpensive supply of energy (Amalia)

2)

When the PPP refunds the $5 million that was paid to Fip Motilall, and gets 3rd party verification that this is the best site for hydro power.

The PPP did none of that and Amalia was going to be another Skeldon factory......with a BILLION (US) dollar price tag!

The PPP wanted Guyanese taxpayers to pay US$1 Billion for a 165 megawatt plant while simliar plants were being built all over the world for less than half of that cost. And these clowns here see nothing wrong with that. The Guyanese taxpayers would have been dragging around that billion dollar goadie for many years like they are currently doing with the Skeldon sugar factory. 

I don't think there is much if any credibility to your statement about the cost of building Amelia. If it were so then the Norwegian would have raised hell about it since their petro dollars are allocated for that project.

These are the same stupid asses that destroyed Guyana pre 1992.  They have no leg to stand on regarding strategic development!  Just think of the 200 mil in imported oil savings.  Even if the savings is only 50%, that's a huge value proposition.  But these dunces could hardly add and subtract, what do you expect!!

ba$eman posted:

Billy Ram Balgobin posted:

Mars posted:

caribny posted:

Billy Ram Balgobin posted:

To attract investments in the manufacturing sector you need the following in addition to other stuffs:

1) Reliable and inexpensive supply of energy (Amalia)

2)

When the PPP refunds the $5 million that was paid to Fip Motilall, and gets 3rd party verification that this is the best site for hydro power.

The PPP did none of that and Amalia was going to be another Skeldon factory......with a BILLION (US) dollar price tag!

The PPP wanted Guyanese taxpayers to pay US$1 Billion for a 165 megawatt plant while simliar plants were being built all over the world for less than half of that cost. And these clowns here see nothing wrong with that. The Guyanese taxpayers would have been dragging around that billion dollar goadie for many years like they are currently doing with the Skeldon sugar factory. 

I don't think there is much if any credibility to your statement about the cost of building Amelia. If it were so then the Norwegian would have raised hell about it since their petro dollars are allocated for that project.

These are the same stupid asses that destroyed Guyana pre 1992.  They have no leg to stand on regarding strategic development!  Just think of the 200 mil in imported oil savings.  Even if the savings is only 50%, that's a huge value proposition.  But these dunces could hardly add and subtract, what do you expect!!

Who's more fvcking stupid than you, Dumbass? A numpty like you talking about adding and subtracting. Surely you jest! Remind us where you learnt to add and subtract again. Hubu Backdam High. How did I manage to destroy Guyana? You see nothing wrong in paying close to $1 billion for a 165 megawatt plant when other countries are building similar plants for less than half of that amount. You don't mind seeing your klepto peeps filling their pockets at the taxpayers' expense once the tiefmen are of the same color as you. The Fip Motilalls of the world who robbed the taxpayers with assistance from Jagdeo and Ramotar are among your heroes. Imagine puja store owner Fip having the rights to build the fricking hydro plant. Jokers! That would have been the biggest scam in Guyana's history if the PPP tiefmen weren't stopped in their tracks. 

Mars posted:

ba$eman posted:

Billy Ram Balgobin posted:

Mars posted:

caribny posted:

Billy Ram Balgobin posted:

To attract investments in the manufacturing sector you need the following in addition to other stuffs:

1) Reliable and inexpensive supply of energy (Amalia)

2)

When the PPP refunds the $5 million that was paid to Fip Motilall, and gets 3rd party verification that this is the best site for hydro power.

The PPP did none of that and Amalia was going to be another Skeldon factory......with a BILLION (US) dollar price tag!

The PPP wanted Guyanese taxpayers to pay US$1 Billion for a 165 megawatt plant while simliar plants were being built all over the world for less than half of that cost. And these clowns here see nothing wrong with that. The Guyanese taxpayers would have been dragging around that billion dollar goadie for many years like they are currently doing with the Skeldon sugar factory. 

I don't think there is much if any credibility to your statement about the cost of building Amelia. If it were so then the Norwegian would have raised hell about it since their petro dollars are allocated for that project.

These are the same stupid asses that destroyed Guyana pre 1992.  They have no leg to stand on regarding strategic development!  Just think of the 200 mil in imported oil savings.  Even if the savings is only 50%, that's a huge value proposition.  But these dunces could hardly add and subtract, what do you expect!!

Who's more fvcking stupid than you, Dumbass? A numpty like you talking about adding and subtracting. Surely you jest! Remind us where you learnt to add and subtract again. Hubu Backdam High. How did I manage to destroy Guyana? You see nothing wrong in paying close to $1 billion for a 165 megawatt plant when other countries are building similar plants for less than half of that amount. You don't mind seeing your klepto peeps filling their pockets at the taxpayers' expense once the tiefmen are of the same color as you. The Fip Motilalls of the world who robbed the taxpayers with assistance from Jagdeo and Ramotar are among your heroes. Imagine puja store owner Fip having the rights to build the fricking hydro plant. Jokers! That would have been the biggest scam in Guyana's history if the PPP tiefmen weren't stopped in their tracks. 

I told ya Mars......my previous post.

'Banna this conversation has been beaten to death but these PPP losers obviously can't read, don't know math, so they still argue stupidly over this.'

Mars posted:

 

Who's more fvcking stupid than you, Dumbass? A numpty like you talking about adding and subtracting. Surely you jest! Remind us where you learnt to add and subtract again. Hubu Backdam High. How did I manage to destroy Guyana? You see nothing wrong in paying close to $1 billion for a 165 megawatt plant when other countries are building similar plants for less than half of that amount. You don't mind seeing your klepto peeps filling their pockets at the taxpayers' expense once the tiefmen are of the same color as you. The Fip Motilalls of the world who robbed the taxpayers with assistance from Jagdeo and Ramotar are among your heroes. Imagine puja store owner Fip having the rights to build the fricking hydro plant. Jokers! That would have been the biggest scam in Guyana's history if the PPP tiefmen weren't stopped in their tracks. 

Baseman is like one of the animals in Animal Farm.  He bleats "blackman bad, Indian good" every minute of the day.  Clearly Amalia would have been a disaster.  Had it been a PNC project he would have been screaming about how the PNC wants to bankrupt Guyana.

But its Indian so a project, with 50% padding to take of the Indocrats like Fip.  That's OK.

Is the manufacturing sector dying? Pt 4… Our manufacturers need to step up, apply modern technologies – GMSA

By Kiana Wilburg, Aug 19, 2016, News, http://www.kaieteurnewsonline....n-technologies-gmsa/

“We are painstakingly aware that the importation of certain items which we have the capacity to produce represents a gross embarrassment to not only the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) but the nation by extension. And we cannot sit back as a nation any longer and do nothing about it.”

Roti imported from Suriname.

Those sentiments were shared by some of the Executive Members of the GMSA during an interview with this newspaper. The members said that for years, they have lobbied the relevant authorities about the challenges plaguing the sector and many of their complaints fell on deaf ears.

They agreed however that the manufacturers, the Association, the Government, quality management agencies, the educational systems and the Government must, now more than ever, find it imperative to take the necessary steps so as to enable locals to reclaim their markets.

One Executive Member said, “What Guyana is experiencing is a tidal wave of importation of absurd goods, and it is overwhelming now, because no one cared enough to do anything meaningful about it in the first place. If we are to move forward, then we have to be honest with ourselves. We, the Association, tried our best in a number of areas. Have we done enough? I would say no. But an Association on its own cannot save the sector, and an Association is not solely responsible for what is taking place right now…pointing fingers would not move us forward.”

The Members said, however, that while some have spoken to the need for more concessions to be granted to the sector, attention must be paid to other crucial challenges.

Cool Cane – Sugar Cane Juice imported from Canada

Another Executive Member said that one of the most critical challenges facing manufacturers is the unreliable and exorbitant cost of electricity.

Whereas the best long term solution is indeed renewable and stable hydro power, he recommended that additional incentives need to be provided for solar, wind and biomass producers.

Another inhibiting factor that was raised by the members was the very high trade transaction costs and inordinate customs delays during import and export transactions.

They said, too, that the limited domestic market for local produce poses another challenge, as does the virtual absence of a dedicated market focus, particularly for products/services enshrined in the active Bilateral and Multilateral Trade Agreements.

The Members stressed that there is also a need for the current Go-Invest Institutional Framework to be strengthened and existing mechanisms revamped if they are to successfully modernize the accommodation of new manufacturing businesses.

One longstanding member of the Association said, “Our manufacturers generally need to step up and implement modern technologies…Also, more consideration should be given to increasing the range and quantity of fiscal incentives for locally manufactured products without adversely impacting on regulations enshrined in the Caribbean Common Market and other Bilateral and Multilateral Trade Agreements”.

The GMSA Members said that significantly, the relevant authorities need to look into comprehensive and enforceable steps which can be taken to curtail unfair competition from smuggled imports, from dumping and by large-scale importation of cheap foreign goods.

With regard to occupational skill demand and supply, the Members agreed that there is a need for continuous Labour Market Intelligence Surveys.

“This should be complemented by Competency Based and Entrepreneurial Skill Training and Development Programmes in public and private education curricula. The Private Sector should also lend support to the introduction of a ‘National Training Levy’ and the establishment of a Skills Bureau to broker specialized and emerging technical skills.”

They added, “It is just as important to ensure that the Environmental Protection Agency and the Bureau of Standards are adequately resourced to make certain that manufacturers comply with existing and foreseeable Environmental Management Standards demanded by importing countries.”

The GMSA members said, too, that they would like to see Research and Development Institutes such as the Institute of Applied Science and Technology, the University of Guyana and other resource-based agencies develop stronger partnerships.

They said that the partnering groups could provide scientific data on identification, specifications and potential uses for raw materials, improvement of yields and productivity in the recovery and/or value added processes.

“A little into the future, we see this developing into pilot projects and the formulation and sale of patents. The proceeds should be able to recover cost outlays.”

Should these interventions be pursued and implemented in the short to medium term, the GMSA members firmly believe that a number of objectives will be realized for the national good.

They believe that those within the sector will be able to manufacture and market high quality, value added products and services; enjoy substantial enhancement of productivity, production capabilities and scope, as well as benefit from the opening up of new markets and the expansion of current market share.

Mars posted:

ba$eman posted:

Billy Ram Balgobin posted:

Mars posted:

The PPP wanted Guyanese taxpayers to pay US$1 Billion for a 165 megawatt plant while simliar plants were being built all over the world for less than half of that cost. And these clowns here see nothing wrong with that. The Guyanese taxpayers would have been dragging around that billion dollar goadie for many years like they are currently doing with the Skeldon sugar factory. 

I don't think there is much if any credibility to your statement about the cost of building Amelia. If it were so then the Norwegian would have raised hell about it since their petro dollars are allocated for that project.

These are the same stupid asses that destroyed Guyana pre 1992.  They have no leg to stand on regarding strategic development!  Just think of the 200 mil in imported oil savings.  Even if the savings is only 50%, that's a huge value proposition.  But these dunces could hardly add and subtract, what do you expect!!

Who's more fvcking stupid than you, Dumbass? A numpty like you talking about adding and subtracting. Surely you jest! Remind us where you learnt to add and subtract again. Hubu Backdam High. How did I manage to destroy Guyana? You see nothing wrong in paying close to $1 billion for a 165 megawatt plant when other countries are building similar plants for less than half of that amount. You don't mind seeing your klepto peeps filling their pockets at the taxpayers' expense once the tiefmen are of the same color as you. The Fip Motilalls of the world who robbed the taxpayers with assistance from Jagdeo and Ramotar are among your heroes. Imagine puja store owner Fip having the rights to build the fricking hydro plant. Jokers! That would have been the biggest scam in Guyana's history if the PPP tiefmen weren't stopped in their tracks. 

Well, you and the rest of the jokers, go find the alternative project to rescue Guyana from the trap it's in. Guess what, you will not come up with anything better.  If you know so well this clearcut alternative low hanging fruit, how come there is not a proposal after 15 months?  Why dont you retender the same project and see what numbers come in, including all the supporting infrastructure.  What was the cost of the project proposed by burnham back in the 70's? It was over 1 bil and in 70's dollars.  it was around the same size and when guyana had a nominal per capita GDP $300.

And BTW, Nigel Hughes was on the board of Amelia.  Now, you are not accusing him of being part of the PPP heist of Guyana, are you?

ba$eman posted:

Mars posted:

ba$eman posted:

Billy Ram Balgobin posted:

Mars posted:

The PPP wanted Guyanese taxpayers to pay US$1 Billion for a 165 megawatt plant while simliar plants were being built all over the world for less than half of that cost. And these clowns here see nothing wrong with that. The Guyanese taxpayers would have been dragging around that billion dollar goadie for many years like they are currently doing with the Skeldon sugar factory. 

I don't think there is much if any credibility to your statement about the cost of building Amelia. If it were so then the Norwegian would have raised hell about it since their petro dollars are allocated for that project.

These are the same stupid asses that destroyed Guyana pre 1992.  They have no leg to stand on regarding strategic development!  Just think of the 200 mil in imported oil savings.  Even if the savings is only 50%, that's a huge value proposition.  But these dunces could hardly add and subtract, what do you expect!!

Who's more fvcking stupid than you, Dumbass? A numpty like you talking about adding and subtracting. Surely you jest! Remind us where you learnt to add and subtract again. Hubu Backdam High. How did I manage to destroy Guyana? You see nothing wrong in paying close to $1 billion for a 165 megawatt plant when other countries are building similar plants for less than half of that amount. You don't mind seeing your klepto peeps filling their pockets at the taxpayers' expense once the tiefmen are of the same color as you. The Fip Motilalls of the world who robbed the taxpayers with assistance from Jagdeo and Ramotar are among your heroes. Imagine puja store owner Fip having the rights to build the fricking hydro plant. Jokers! That would have been the biggest scam in Guyana's history if the PPP tiefmen weren't stopped in their tracks. 

Well, you and the rest of the jokers, go find the alternative project to rescue Guyana from the trap it's in. Guess what, you will not come up with anything better.  If you know so well this clearcut alternative low hanging fruit, how come there is not a proposal after 15 months?  Why dont you retender the same project and see what numbers come in, including all the supporting infrastructure.  What was the cost of the project proposed by burnham back in the 70's? It was over 1 bil and in 70's dollars.  it was around the same size and when guyana had a nominal per capita GDP $300.

And BTW, Nigel Hughes was on the board of Amelia.  Now, you are not accusing him of being part of the PPP heist of Guyana, are you?

There was an alternative project proposed by the Brazilians but the PPP turned it down because the Brazilians were building it themselves and there was no pork for the PPP scam artists. It is still on the table and discussions were held with the Coalition Government but the Brazilians may be less motivated to do it now since their country is in the midst of an economic downturn.

Are you going to buy something that is ridiculously overpriced just because you need it? There are alternatives which will work out a lot cheaper. Do you buy a Toyota for US$100,000 when you need a car? You must be really dumb. I guess you don't care that Guyanese consumers will have massive electric bills to pay back for that billion dollar goadie. 

The initial cost of Amaila was estimated at US$450 million which is in line with the cost of other plants being built. How in heaven's name did it get to US$850 million? 

The UMDA project from the 70's was many times larger than Amaila. It was slated to produce 750-1200MW initially with the potential of expanding to 3000MW and it nowhere near a billion US, maybe in Guyana dollars. Amaila is rated at a mere 165MW. UMDA was supposed to power an aluminum smelter plant which would have been built at Linden as well as providing power for industrial and residential customers. The current demand for power is probably in excess of 165MW and with any new industries coming on stream it will be inadequate to provide power for the entire country. 

Hughes was merely earning a living by doing legal and public relations work for the Hydro project company. He was not a decision maker.

ba$eman posted:

 

And BTW, Nigel Hughes was on the board of Amelia.  Now, you are not accusing him of being part of the PPP heist of Guyana, are you?

In fact I did. 

Local plantain chips o the supermarket shelves. Made in Canje.Made in Guyana.

We had Guyanese made plantain chips in the 70s.  Are you trying to show that the manufacturing sector has made progress?