President David Granger does not agree with the private sector that business is on the decline as a result of the political uncertainty facing the country.
As a matter of fact, the Head-of-State is adamant that there is no confusion or crisis facing the country.
Speaking for the first time to reporters since the Court of Appeal ruled that the December 21 No-Confidence Motion was not validly passed, President Granger described the private sector’s analysis of the political situation as a “misperception.”
“There is no chaos or confusion or crisis in the political situation. Everything that has happened since the 21st of December has been logical and on the part of the Government, it has been within the framework of the law.
“I do not know how valid that perception (that business is on the decline) is but as far as I’m concerned, the Government has done nothing to engender any disorder or any despair in the business community,” President Granger told reporters at the sidelines of an event Wednesday morning at the Ministry of the Presidency.
The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) in a statement Wednesday reiterated its initial position regarding the effect of political uncertainty on the level of economic activity.
“The Chamber is of the fervent hope that the matter of contention in the political arena, which is now before the Caribbean Court of Justice, will be expeditiously resolved. This resolution will bring an end to the degree of political uncertainty and ensure that a favourable business environment prevails,” the statement noted.
On Monday, the new President of GCCI Nicholas Boyer said that with the current political climate businesses cannot plan ahead with general and regional elections looming.
Granger said the perception of the private sector is “unfortunate.”
The GCCI has written to the President and Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, seeking a meeting to discuss the issues faced by the business community.
“I will meet them… the PSC [Private Sector Commission], GCCI or any group and assure them that everything is being done in accordance with the law.
“We used our legal right to go to the Appeal Court and I understand from the newspapers the Opposition is using their legal right to go to the CCJ. That’s not crisis, that’s not confusion.
“So I don’t think the perception…is a valid perception and we will continue trying to do our best to give the people of Guyana a good government and good life,” the Head-of-State said.
In February this year, two months after a No-Confidence motion was passed against the Government, the GCCI said it conducted a study which found that over 50% of the city’s businesses are seeing a decline in commercial activity.
