Contest anticipated as PSC leadership elections set for May 12

All eyes are set on Guyana’s Private Sector Commission (PSC) with its redefined role as a representative organisation for local businesses in a changing economy now led by the nascent oil and gas sector.

The PSC will change leadership on May 12, 2022, when a statutorily due Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held.

The PSC is recognised as the main private sector body in the country and the business community is said to have keen interest in who will run the organisation in the new economic climate.

The PSC’s AGM follows that of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) where Timothy Tucker was re-elected as President. The Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) is also in the process of changing guards.

The current Chairman of the PSC Paul Cheong has confirmed that the AGM will be held on May 12, an event that will feature President Irfaan Ali as the guest of honour.

Cheong admitted that the influx of foreign companies has given rise to a renewed interest in business representative organisations like the PSC.

When asked by the News Room about his willingness to accept nomination for the opportunity to be re-elected Chairman, Cheong said by the end of April he would make a decision. He was elected Chairman of the PSC in April 2021 after then Chairman Gerald Gouveia had taken up an advisory position in the government.

“I am considering.

“It’s a democratic process… nobody is certain about anything, nothing is certain, change is the only thing that is certain,” Cheong said.

Meanwhile, Ramesh Dookhoo, Chairman of the Trade and Investment Committee of the PSC, said he would not be surprised if there is a contest for leadership positions.

Those positions include the Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer. Any of the current Council members of the PSC can be nominated to one of these positions after which a vote will be taken in a process that Dookhoo has reiterated will be democratic.

“I will not be surprised if there is some contest,” he said.

Dookhoo would not disclose whether he had an interest in any of those positions. He previously served as Chairman of the PSC.

“There is renewed interest in the Private Sector Commission because of the work the Commission is now being called on to do.”