Over 45 Indian companies in Guyana; Chamber eyes ‘extremely significant’ relations in the future

Ahead of the observance of its first anniversary in April this year, the India/ Guyana Chamber of Commerce hosted its first networking event at the Guyana Marriott Hotel Wednesday night.

Guyana’s Chief Investment Officer and Agency Head for the Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest), Dr Peter Ramsaroop disclosed that presently, well over 45 Indian businesses are operating in the country.

He provided these figures as testament to the business relations between Guyana and India with some companies from the South Asian country eyeing direct participation in the oil and gas sector.

Popular among those Indian companies in Guyana are the Texila American University, Vivaanta Ayurvedic Spa & Hair Salon, New India Assurance and Bank of Barooda.

“A lot of good things are coming in the future,” Dr Ramsaroop said.

His comments were backed up by First Secretary at the Indian High Commission Manoj Kumar who pointed to the Indian companies helping Guyana with its infrastructural transformation.

They include:  Kalpataru Projects International Limited, Engineers India Limited Gem Granites, Rail India Technical and Economic Service Limited (RITES) Ltd, Ashoka Construction Company and Shapoorji Paloonji and Company Limited.

“…Find ways to strengthen trade and commerce, business linkages and investments between our two countries,” he encouraged the chamber.

During the cocktail reception on Wednesday, Chamber members officially received their certificates and badges of membership.

Present at the event were Senior Minister within the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance and Public Service, Dr Ashni Singh and Ministers of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Hugh Todd and Oneidge Walrond.

Todd delivered remarks in the absence of President Dr. Irfaan Ali and sought to drive home the point that the government has put all systems and structures in place to support this type of business engagement between countries.

Senior Vice President of the Chamber, David Fernandes brought the curtains down on the evening’s activities offering a hearty thank you to all in attendance and his team.

Businessman and former Cricketer, Ramnaresh Sarwan who is the Chamber’s President, did not attend the event.

“We look ahead to a promising future filled with optimism.

“The Chamber stands as a symbol of unity and collaboration,” Fernandes, a proud founding member of the Chamber noted.

Businessmen Steven Jacobs and Kalamazad Ibrahim are also Senior Vice Presidents while banker, Shaleeza Shaw is the Treasurer.

Founder and President of Texila American University Consortium, Saju Bhaskar is the Secretary, and Ekaa Hrim Earth Resources Management Operations Director, Sreebala Kumar is the Joint Secretary.

The Chamber was established to promote trade, investment and cultural ties between India and Guyana.