Georgetown : Prime Minister and First Vice President, Moses Nagamootoo, recently told Berbicians that his Government intends to provide seed capital to investors in the agriculture sector and, more specifically those in Berbice, to further develop the potential of the region. “To meet the financing needs of the agriculture sector, our Government proposes to establish an agricultural and industrial development bank that will operate in Berbice also,” Nagamootoo added
During his address at the opening of the 11th Berbice Exposition and Trade Fair on September 08, 2015, the Prime Minister informed the gathering that the Government has commenced, with private sector funding, a deep-water harbour and container port in the Berbice River. This, he explained, will provide enhanced facilities for import of goods and the export of all commodities from Berbice and elsewhere.
“While this was an initiative of the former administration, we feel that it was a move in the right direction, since it would facilitate business to North America and Europe, and Berbice would be presented with a platform for greater trade at our eastern border with Suriname, with the completion of a bridge across the Corentyne River,” the First Vice President stated.
Prime Minster Nagamootoo believes that Berbice has great potential in the area of agri-processing and aqua culture and that these must be pursued. “We need more value added enterprises in Berbice, take agri progressing for example, Berbice is a tropical paradise, we have an abundance of fruits of all types, why then do we import the products that can be produced right here in Berbice, our food basin,” The Prime Minister challenged.
It is his belief that with the introduction of the agricultural financial bank mechanism, these areas of diversification will be further developed as it is anticipated that the requisite financing will be provided to potential investors.
