News

2005 . 2006. 2007

LEAP Seeks European Investors
October 26th 2007

LEAP is taking Region 10 into Europe when it exhibits at the bstartup 2007 exhibition at Olympia in London on 2 and 3 November.

The focus will be on attracting new investment into the region and offering LEAP’s services as a facilitator in terms of business incubation, training and site identification, acquisition and development.

His Excellency Mr Laleshwar Singh, Guyana’s High Commissioner to London, will speak at a seminar in Olympia on Friday 2 November at 2.45pm (UK time). The speech will focus on the government’s policy in creating a favourable business climate for foreign and local investors. It will highlight the responsible relationship between the Government, the private sector and foreign investors.

LEAP’s international project manager, Miss Kathleen Whalen, will attend together with Inward Investment Manager, Ms Kene Moseley. External international consultant, Mary Donovan, will also be there.

Ms Whalen said, “We are looking forward to the opportunity to demonstrate to European investors the many benefits of investing in Guyana and, in particular, in Region 10.

More information and to book a seminar place, please call: Mary Donovan, Tel: 00 44 (0)7970 036449. E-mail: Centerprisepr@hotmail.com

 

Region 10 profits from New Trade Agreement with Trinindad
May 28th 2007

Guyana’s Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Robert Persaud, has been instrumental in securing new trade agreements with Trinidad and Tobago. Currently Guyana is only able to export six forms of agricultural produce to the islands but, under this new agreement, a further 44 will be allowed. Region 10 will be able to take advantage of two of these - hot peppers and watermelon.

Mr Persaud said, “I am very pleased to be able to facilitate this new agreement which really opens up new horizons for Guyanese farmers. Prices are excellent in Trinidad and we aim to benefit from this market.”

Mr Oswald Quamina, Agricultural Economics Expert, Linden Economic Advancement Programme (LEAP), said “This is very encouraging news for our farmers. It means that we will no longer have a surplus of produce which leads to wastage and, therefore, loss of profit.”

All produce is subject to a pest risk analysis and information has to be sought from the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) quarantine department. The MOA submitted the list to the relevant officials in Trinidad and Tobago in December 2006. On 11 May, it was announced that nine products had been put forward for tests and on 24 May, a further 11 were added.

Linden Call Centre rings up the business
May 24th 2007

The lines are open and the business is coming in. That’s the message loud and clear from Graydon Walker, Director, The Toucan Connection, who recently started new operations in Linden. “In the first few days, we made well over 400 sales. In my experience, this is a good start and compares favorably with my other operation in St. Kitts. The staff are doing a good job and have a good work ethic,” said Mr Walker.

Toucan’s client, Cathy Engel, of Reed Business Information, said “I am confident that Mr. Walker’s Linden location will be a successful extension of his already existing call center. My company has great confidence in the quality and integrity of the work being done in St. Kitts, and I am confident that The Toucan Connection will follow suit. The launch staff have been very impressive and quick to learn the basics needed to make The Toucan Connection a success for all parties involved.”

Toucan Connections has invested GYD100 million in the first phase of its operation is expected to employ 50 associates by next month, operating a day shift from 8.15pm - 5pm.

“I became interested in investing in Guyana about a year ago” said Mr Walker. “I was helped by Go Invest and, more locally, the Linden Economic Advancement Programme (LEAP). I was impressed with Linden – it is close enough to Georgetown to get the benefits of a large city, but far enough away to keep its country charm. It has a welcoming community and a lot of potential.”

Mr. Walker comes from an electronics manufacturing background which first took him to St. Kitts some 20 years ago. In 1985/86 he moved into miniature brush manufacturing which produces 350,000 brushes per week. He explains his latest diversification: “I saw an opportunity to expand into call centers, first in St. Kitts and now Linden completes the picture - for the moment!”

 

2005 . 2006. 2007