Category: News

…raises other concerns with PPP MP Businesses operating in the local tourism sector, particularly those in the hinterland, are calling on Government to reduce taxes for interior air travel and fuel. This call comes amid concerns over the rise in cost for these services and commodities, which, to a large extent, is affecting border trade between Guyana and Brazil, especially in Lethem. This observation was made by Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) and former Government Minister Irfaan Ali, who met with members of the business community in Region Nine (Upper…

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Trouble is brewing over Government’s investing of the US$18 million signing bonus it received from ExxonMobil in overseas interest-bearing bonds. Finance Minister Winston Jordan could be brought before the courts to face private criminal charges because of this action. Former Attorney General, Opposition Parliamentarian Anil Nandlall, revealed that the institution of private criminal charges against Jordan for the handling of the bonus is being considered. Nandlall slammed the decision to invest the monies in interest bearing securities, “knowing fully that there are legal proceedings challenging the constitutionality of placing the…

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The Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Patricia Scotland, QC and British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson were updated on the status of the Guyana/Venezuela border case which is presently before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) by Head of State David Granger during bilateral discussions. The President along with his delegation comprising Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge; Director General of the Foreign Affairs Ministry, Ambassador Audrey Waddell; and Guyana’s High Commissioner to the UK, Frederick Hamley Case met with the officials on the sidelines of the 2018 Commonwealth Heads of Government…

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…expelled from PAC meeting The inability of Region Nine (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo) officials to answer Public Accounts Committee (PAC) questions regarding issues raised in the Auditor General’s Report has seen them ultimately being asked to leave the chambers. At the sitting, chaired by Member of Parliament Pauline Sukhai in the absence of Chairman Irfaan Ali, Regional Executive Officer (REO) Kerwin Warde was questioned on the region’s procurement of drugs through inter- departmental warrants (IDWs). Warde could not even provide definitive details on the reconciliation from the Materials Management Unit (MMU)…

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….GRA, Police Force to collaborate A senior official within the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) has confirmed that the tax agency is soon expected to make contact with the top brass of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) in an effort to find some 41,000 drivers that are holders of expired road service licences. “We are having conversations with the Traffic Chief (Ramesh Ashram), because what happens is: every year, drivers are expected to renew this licence, and we have found a number of drivers with expired licences,” the GRA official said.…

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…large influx of tourists expected The Guyana Carnival 2018, an event which at its core is to promote tourism on an international standpoint, is expected to attract some 1500 tourists on a worldwide scope. This announcement was revealed during Hits and Jams Entertainment’s official launch of Guyana Carnival 2018 which was hosted by the Guyana Carnival Committee at the Marriott Hotel, Georgetown. The event, which is scheduled to feature 10 days of nonstop activities, is expected to feature a wide variety of events to facilitate the interests of all who…

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-charged for being unlicensed Several fishermen who use the Hope Canal on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD) to dock their boats were last Friday banned from operating at the canal. The notice, issued by the Fisheries Department of the Agriculture Ministry states that the fishermen have been given until this week to relocate their vessels to the Hope koker. When the Guyana Times visited the area, the fishermen were up in arms against the move, lamenting that their livelihoods will be affected. “Them just say that they want the…

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…as US sanctions Russian tycoon As the United States (US) sanctions against Russian business tycoon Oleg Deripaska, who is the main owner of the EN+ conglomerate, the co-owner of Rusal begins to sink in, the local operation in Guyana has significantly scaled back on its exportation of bauxite. This is according to President of the Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union (GBGWU) Lincoln Lewis. Rusal, one of the largest aluminum producers in the world , has operations here in Guyana in the form of the Bauxite Company of Guyana Incorporated…

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Guyana is slated to be represented at a high-profile Anti-Money Laundering/Financial Crimes Conference in Florida, USA; which will, among other things, give countries a chance to review their AML efforts in their respective jurisdictions. Attending on Guyana’s behalf is Attorney General Basil Williams, the current Chairman of the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF).The conference is slated for April 18-20, 2018, in Miami, Florida, with Williams expected to present on Financial Technology (FinTech) effects on the changing role of the Compliance Officer. According to the Legal Affairs Ministry on Tuesday,…

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Caribbean Community (Caricom) leaders met with United States Vice President Mike Pence on the margins of the final day of the Summit of the Americas in Lima, Peru. Second Vice President and Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge told the Department of Public Information (DPI), following the meeting, that Caribbean leaders “took advantage” of the opportunity to dialogue with Vice President Pence. “It was a good opportunity to at least exchange ideas at practically the highest level in the United States,” Minister Greenidge said. Greenidge noted Vice President Pence confirmed that…

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