Developing countries like Guyana need to secure their future energy needs

Dear Editor,

The Guyanese American Chamber of Commerce (GACC), in conjunction with the Guyana Business Journal (GBJ), will host a forum and reception in Florida on December 14, entitled ‘Pathways to Guyana’s Economic Prosperity in this Era of Oil and Gas’. The free forum and reception, to be held at the Miramar Cultural Center, will feature two panel discussions with leading Guyanese and others drawn from various sectors of economic activity who will share their perspectives on the development of the country’s economy for the benefit of all its people now that significant revenues are being generated from its emerging oil and gas sector.

Participants in the event will be afforded the opportunity to discuss their perspectives with the panelists. Among the already confirmed speakers are former Guyana Foreign Minister, Carl Greenidge; former ambassador to the US, Dr. Riyad Insanally; Director of the Center for Local Business Development, Ms. Natasha Gaskin-Peters; financial analyst, Joel Bhagwandin; chairman of the Board of the GACC, Eldon Bremner; public relations consultant, Onicka Jones; Professor, Ivelaw Griffith; Dr. Terrence Blackman and Professor Jerry Haar. Global oil giant ExxonMobil has been invited to have a representative speak at the event.

“Energy is the lifeblood of human existence, and its global demand will grow as people around the world, especially in developing countries seek a better quality of life. Energy demand is estimated to grow by at least 0.7 per cent annually. No society ought to underestimate the future demand for energy. Hence the GACC firmly believes that Guyana must seek to secure its energy needs through the efficient development of its oil and gas as well as its renewable resources,” says GACC Chairman, Eldon Bremner.

According to Bremner, developing countries like Guyana need to secure their future energy needs and at the same time generate income from its oil and gas sector to fuel development in other sectors such as agribusiness, hospitality, manufacturing, healthcare, public infrastructure, and public safety. “It is against this backdrop that the GACC has teamed up with the Guyana Business Journal and Magazine to host this forum which will provide Guyanese and others in the Diaspora an opportunity to discuss the pathways to prosperity for all the Guyanese people and even our brothers and sisters in the CARICOM region whose future food security will depend heavily on Guyana’s ability to supply food to the region. The pandemic has clearly demonstrated that CARICOM’s food security is key to its future economic prosperity,” Bremner stressed.

Persons interested in participating in this forum/reception must register at: guyamcham@gmail .com

Sincerely,

Wesley Kirton