– Linden/Lethem Road, language barriers main challengesBy Leonard Gildarie and Enid JoaquinSeveral of Guyana’s most prominent businesses are trying to cash in with what promises to be a lucrative trading partner – neighbouring Brazil.A packed gathering at the Guyana International Conference Centre (GICC), Liliendaal, heard yesterday that this country could tap into a major trading market with the State of Roraima since almost 60% of its goods have to be imported from other states right within Brazil.With Guyana only 500 kilometers away, and imports having to be shipped or flown in from 5,000 miles, in some cases, it was obvious that this country’s potential has to be explored, a 60-member team from the neighboring country said.Additionally, there was the call for local banks to forge direct relationships with the ones in Brazil.However, the Brazilians are concerned with the Linden/Lethem Road and the problems associated with language barriers. It was stressed that ways will have to be found to solve such issues.In addition to buying flour from Guyana, there are demands for seafood, construction material and fertilizers.Goods neededAccording to Almir Morais Sa, President of SEBRAE, which is leading the historic Brazilian delegation,NFL Jerseys Clearance, the Roraima State currently plants over 30,000 acres, and one of the biggest problems is sourcing fertilizers. Guyana can bridge this gap,Cheap NFL Jerseys, he told the gathering, which included Minister of Trade, Industry and Commerce, Manniram Prashad.Also there were representatives of local banks, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Office For Investment (GoInvest), and several members of the Private Sector Commission (PSC).Sa acknowledged that while it would be logistically impossible for Guyana to supply Roraima State with all its needs, a huge void could still be filled.The delegation arrived Sunday at Lethem and met with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of that area.On Monday, the team visited Linden and met with the business community and inspected the new Christianburg Transshipment Terminal site – a wharf that is currently being built there for trade.DevelopmentsYesterday, CEO of GoInvest, Geoffrey DaSilva, noted that the joint team was the largest ever to Guyana from Brazil. With four presidents already attempting to build ties with Brazil, Guyana has now moved to a position of “walking the talk”, he said.Urging that yesterday’s meeting not be another talk shop, the official claimed that the Guyanese business community is excited by the visit.According to DaSilva, already Region Nine has started to boom. In 2002, GoInvest was considering one project – in 2009, this jumped to 116. For Region 10, there are 50-odd projects slated for that community by investors.Chairman of the Private Sector Commission, Captain Gerry Gouveia, lauded Guyana’s investment climate and stressed that it is easy to invest with literally no restrictions on the movement of capital. Guyana, it was noted, boasts a healthy economy.The businessman also noted that over time, Guyana has ignored the possibilities of Brazil which was a “terrible mistake”. It is against this background that yesterday’s seminar has to be viewed as the beginning of new relations between the two countries.Last September’s opening of the Takatu Bridge should not only be seen as bridging the two countries, but should also be viewed as a linking of the two economies.DifficultiesAccording to Sa, Brazil is serious about forging new business ties with Guyana and SEBRAE’s role is to facilitate the process.With Brazil boasting fibre optic cables and a link being brought to Guyana shortly, no longer could it be argued that the two countries are distant. He admitted that the current roadway linking Linden to Lethem would be a challenge to trade between the two neighbours but it would have to suffice for now.The official called for an easing of restrictions to allow the timely flow of trade and said that one of the objectives of the Brazilians’ visit is to ease these difficulties. The mission must have some results and positive ones at that. The questions that will have to be asked will include what Guyana has to offer to Brazil. The analysis will have to include a look at ensuring prices for goods are competitive,Cheap Jerseys Free Shipping, he urged.Meanwhile, Minister Prashad, in his remarks, disclosed that an estimated 5,000 persons are expected to swarm the Rupununi area for the annual rodeo. Already, facilities are in place to deal with the expected crowd,Wholesale Jerseys 2018, he assured.Regarding Guyana’s tourism, the Minister pointed out that last year, despite the global economic downturn, the country still managed to record an increase in arrivals.