Georgetown: The National Economic Forum scheduled from August 14 to August 15 will build on the platform established by previously held summits and provide a forum for stakeholders to discuss key emerging issues to the nation’s development. This is according to the National Competitiveness Strategy Unit (NSCU), which stated that the forum’s theme will be “Promoting economic growth and development through innovation, diversification and partnership”.
The forum, which takes place at the Guyana International Conference Center, will feature presentations by President Donald Ramotar, Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh, Chairman of the Private Sector Commission Ronald Webster and the Chairpersons of each of the 10 pre-selected thematic groups comprising technical representatives of the government and political opposition.
There will be breakout sessions, with participants joining one of the 10 working groups covering their areas of interest. Discussions and recommendations will be captured and presented in revised group reports. The Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce (ag) Irfan Ally will outline future plans and deliver closing remarks.
Following extensive public- private sector consultations, the National Competitive Strategy (NCS) was launched in 2006, outlining the nation’s long – term development strategy.
The National Competitiveness Council (NCC), which is chaired by President Ramotar, controls the NCS and acts as a central point to ensure that strategies are implemented. The NCC comprises government representatives, private sector stakeholders and labour unions. The NCC also promotes the strategies, locally and internationally, finds solutions to address various challenges and seeks to identify synergies among donors to improve the effectiveness of lenders’ initiatives.
An inaugural Competiveness Summit was held in September 2012 and as a result developed “Action Items” in the areas of trade strategy and export promotion zones, manufacturing, small business development, tourism, agro-processing, forestry, infrastructure, alternative energy and technology.
