News – Page 543 – Guyana Times International

UK launches Gy$ 409M agri project

June 28, 2013 TIMES INT'L

The Agriculture Ministry has collaborated with the Department for International Development (DFID) to launch the Guyana Agricultural Diversification Project (GADP) as it seeks to ramp up production of non-traditional and aquaculture produce for export. The diversification project was launched on Tuesday at the Satyadeo Sawh Aquaculture Station at Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara. The aim of the initiative, according DFID Deputy Head Matt Butler, is to create over 1000 jobs for locals and increase tilapia exports from 1000 kilogrammes to 12000 kilogrammes per week and non-traditional crops from 1000 kilogrammes…

Tourism on the move in Guyana – President Ramotar tells Caribbean journalists in Canada

June 28, 2013 TIMES INT'L

President Donald Ramotar has emphasised that his administration will continue to place prominence on the development of new sectors in the country, particularly the burgeoning tourism sector. The Guyanese head of state made this assertion on Friday while meeting with several Caribbean/ Canadian media representatives at the Guyana Consulate in Toronto. President Ramotar was joined by acting Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister Irfaan Ali, Guyana’s Consul General in Toronto, Sattie Sawh and Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG) Vice President Christopher Nascimento. Ramotar and a high level delegation were…

Ali says looking forward for more competition in Guyana’s airline industry

June 28, 2013 TIMES INT'L

By Sabatini Daniels Struggling to find an alternative to Caribbean Airlines Limited (CAL), which has recently hiked its fares, the Guyana government is now courting COPA Airlines to service the local market, acting Tourism Minister Irfaan Ali said on Friday. At a press conference Ali announced that government has approached COPA Airlines, which is based in Panama, to examine the possibility of having that airline operate in and out of Guyana. He stated that there have been initial discussions with the airline and as a result, a team from…

Guyana could tap security reform help under CBSI

June 28, 2013 TIMES INT'L

The Home Affairs Ministry on Monday hosted the second meeting with local and foreign senior security officials to discuss matters pertaining to the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI) from which Guyana and other Caribbean countries stand to benefit. The meetings are part of government’s recognition of the need for reform in the security sector and an important component of the CBSI. The areas that Guyana will benefit from were discussed between the two sides, and according to Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee, the ministry is optimistic about moving forward with…

U.S. -based Guyanese actor Rhona Fox honoured

June 28, 2013 TIMES INT'L

Guyanese-American actress Rhona Fox received the Rising Sun Award at the Caribbean Heritage Salute to Hollywood & the Arts gala in Hollywood, California, on Friday, June 21, 2013. She was honoured along with actor Reno Wilson (who currently stars on Mike & Molly on CBS and of Antiguan heritage) and Paula Madison (a former vice-president of NBC Universal and part owner of WNBA Los Angeles Sparks team, and of Jamaican heritage). The Caribbean Heritage Organisation (CHO) has been hosting this awards ceremony since 2007 and selected Fox as this year’s…

The use of social media on the rise

June 28, 2013 TIMES INT'L

Dear Editor, The excitement is certainly on, as thousands of Guyanese and their businesses are now using social media, such as, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin and Pinterest. According to reports in the Guyana Times, it is estimated that more than 200,000 persons are part of the social media transformation. More businesses understand the growing need to get on the social media platform in order to grow their businesses. With the government investing heavily in Information Communication Technology (ICT) with programmes, such as, the One Laptop Per Family (OLPF), laying of the…

Lawyers advise that Boodoo’s position be advertised

June 28, 2013 TIMES INT'L

Chief Elections Officer Gocool Boodoo is expected to know his fate soon and may very well take legal action if necessary. Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Chairman Dr Steve Surujbally has been provided with advice from lawyers on how to treat the request by Boodoo to consider a renewal of his contract. The lawyers for Dr Surujbally also suggested that Boodoo’s post be advertised. However, the statutory meeting of the commission scheduled for Tuesday last was not held, owing to the absence of two commissioners, Dr Keshav Mangal and Attorney Jaya…

All set for Guyana Trade Show and Tourism Expo this weekend in New York

June 28, 2013 TIMES INT'L

Organisers say that the highly anticipated Guyana Trade Show and Tourism Expo will provide the perfect opportunity for overseas-based Guyanese and businesses to see the products and services that are now available for sale, investment, and development in Guyana. The event is billed for this weekend (June 28th-30th) at the Fitzgerald Gymnasium, Queens College. According to a press release from the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, the three-day event will place Guyana on a platform to propel itself onto the International arena, while giving every sector in the Guyanese…

Webster re-elected Chairman of Private Sector Commission

June 28, 2013 TIMES INT'L

Private Sector Commission (PSC) Chairman Ronald Webster was on Tuesday re-elected by a majority vote in the face of an aggressive challenge put forward by young contender Clinton Urling. Webster won by a 16/ 4 margin when the election results were announced during the commission’s 21st Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the Pegasus Hotel. A modest Webster told Guyana Times International shortly after his re-election that while he was not surprised at his victory, he was overwhelmed at the level of support garnered for the position. Webster expressed great appreciation…

Bail set for Benschop’s brother in U.S. building collapse

June 28, 2013 TIMES INT'L

According to reports from the Associated Press (AP), a judge set bail Wednesday at nearly US$1.6 million for a demolition contractor charged in a fatal building collapse despite a prosecutor’s contention that the South American defendant is a flight risk. Sean Benschop, 42, has used several aliases, had numerous run-ins with law enforcement and is not a U.S. citizen, according to Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Selber. Benschop, who was born in Guyana, also has contacts in New York and New Jersey, she said. “All of these things can make a…