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August 2010

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INTERNATIONAL BUILDINGEXPO SUPPLEMENT

CREATING LINKAGES... BUILDING COMMUNITIES

...it marks the beginning of a dream, a dream of owning your own home, ofadvancement, of progress at the personal level. This is very important for me be-cause a country cant develop in the abstract, it cant develop just through macrogures because that type of development will mean very little. It has to be anaggravation of wealth of individual families and I keep saying that the primarytask of the government is to ensure we facilitate a process of creating wealth atthe level of the family...

President Jagdeo Region 3 Outreach, 2010


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2 CREATING LINKAGES, BUILDING COMMUNITIES AUGUST, 2010 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT


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3CREATING LINKAGES, BUILDING COMMUNITIES AUGUST, 2010 | GUYANATIMESGY.COMSPECIAL SUPPLEMENT

T he first-ev-er InternationalBuilding Expo to beheld in Guyana opens thisevening at the GuyanaNational Stadium,Providence with a newand sophisticated outlookto expositions held locally.The event will run until

Augu st 8 .When

visited the exposition siteon Thursday, it was abuzzwith activity as variousexhibitors completed thefinishing touches to theirbooths.

However, Housing andWater Minister Irfaan Aliwas confident that all willbe ready for todays open-ing ceremony at 17:30hrs.

Acc ordi ng to the min -ister, the expo has stimu-lated a lot of interest fromthe region, and is expect-ed to attract several coun-tries. He noted that thereare quite a number of per-sons here from Trinidadand Tobago and Barbadosfor the event.

The Antiguan WorksMinister, who recentlyvisited Guyana and wasexpected to stay for theevent, had to leave onemergency, but was veryimpressed with what hesaw, Ali told GuyanaTimes .

Over the past years,the housing and construc-

tion sector has been pro-gressing rapidly, and theminister feels that the ex-hibitors have realized thepotential for further ex-pansion, hence the posi-tive response.

The expo is evidentlyone with a difference; a col-lage of images of modernbuildings in Georgetownlines the walkway of theentrance to the exposition,enthralling the viewer andoffering a clear indicationof the modern trend inbuilding and constructionin Guyana, and more spe-cifically Georgetown, overthe past few years.

Local exhibitors have,no doubt, invested sub-stantially in this event

in hope of reaping signifi-cant results in the future.

Some have even indicatedan interest in lobbying foran extension in the num-ber of days that the expo-sition will be held.

We have spent a lotof money, and two days isnot enough, one exhibitorhas said.

The minister is excit-ed about the standard ofhousing and constructionthat will obtain in anoth-er few years. He notedthat the banking sectorhas shown high interestas well.

This is an excellentexample of very good pri-vate-public partnership,and I would like to thankall our participants. Theyhave demonstrated cre-

ativity and high standardsthat are on par with any

international standard,the minister said.

The expo is being heldto showcase Guyanas po-

tential in the housingand construction indus-try, while creating link-ages and partnershipswith local and foreigncounterparts. Minister Alisays his ministry under-took the initiative in di-rect response to PresidentBharrat Jagdeos call forgovernment ministries tobecome more proactive infurthering their develop-mental thrust. He com-mended persons for comingon board, and expressedgratitude to the corporatecommunity for their spon-sorship and support.

BK International,Buddys Housing

Development, Unicomer,Global Hardware, TorginalPaints, GT&T, TCL,Republic Bank, Guyana

Bank for Trade andIndustry, and CitizensBank are listed as thecorporate sponsors; whileImpressions, an advertis-ing and promotional enti-ty, undertook the creativework.

Several engineeringand housing developers,including Buddys andSears Engineering, havecreated model homes --made of local materialsand furnished with localand other products avail-able here in Guyana.

The expo brings togeth-er suppliers, contractors,

hardware manufacturers,builders, electrical suppli-

ers, construction and engi-neering companies, paintcompanies, saw millersand wood dealers, housingdevelopers, and furnitureimporters together at onelocation, creating the ide-al setting for home build-ers to know what productsare available locally.

Our consumers wouldhave a better idea of prod-ucts, quality and stan-dard and prices by visitingthe various booths at theBuilding Expo, the minis-ter emphasised.

Meanwhile, severalcompanies will also be fa-cilitating conferences ondifferent topics during thetwo-day event. Topics tobe covered include manag-

ing loans, cement mixture,building quality, and pipeuse, among others. Theseseminars will be openedto the public, but there islimited capacity.

To facilitate every-one, the organizers havealso made arrangementsfor a play park and a foodcourt.

Afte r the off ici al open -ing ceremony this eve-ning, the expo will be opento the public on Saturdayand Sunday from 14:00hrsto midnight.

Free parking is avail-able in the parking lot,while a minimal entry feewould apply at the gate.

Guyanas first International Building Expo kicks off

A screen showing buildings from the commercial districtsThe International Building Expo entrance


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In Guyana, the constructionand engineering industry

has experienced remark-able growth.

Growing into its role is re-ally an accurate statement ofhow this industry has trans-formed itself and has contrib-uted an amazing 11 per cent tothe Gross Domestic Product in2009.

This remarkable growth isas a result of government in-vesting $171 billion over thelast ten years, testament togovernments commitment tosustainable growth and devel-opment for all.

In light of this and a grow-ing recognition of the need toenhance the sector, the govern-ment of Guyana intends to ac-tively promote and expand theconstruction and engineering

sector by creating the facilita-tive environment for furthergrowth and development.

There is no doubt that theconstruction and engineer-ing sector will, in the comingyears, generate additional em-ployment and contribute towealth creation.

For the industry as a whole,we will continue to provide fi-nancing, to help build capa-bilities through the use of newconstruction methods and im-prove productivity among dif-ferent firms across the valuechain.

In spite of the foregoing, as anation, we are yet to harness thefull potential power and trans-

formative effect that this indus-try can bring to the country.The level of economic

growth, as experienced in theconstruction and engineeringsectors of our sister Caricomstates such as Trinidad, canonly be achieved through in-vestment linkages and busi-ness networking.

It is these linkages of theinvestment and business net-working that the InternationalBuilding Exposition is aimedat creating.

The vision is to employ astrategic and practical ap-proach, aimed at creating link-ages and forging partnershipswith regional and internation-

al business partners, with theintention of eventually break-

ing into the overseas construc-tion market in a large way,especially by winning majorconstruction and reconstruc-tion contracts.

The importance of this iscritical and cannot be overstat-ed. The need for collaborationamong all sectors is vital if weare going to secure the futureof this nation and make this areality.

The time is now for our indu-bitably world-class companies,which have been doing so wellin Guyana, to step out of theircomfort box and breach newfrontiers by expanding theiractivities to incorporate newterritories in their entrepre-

neurial endeavours; because,in this country, our industrial-ists have been producing prod-ucts to international standardsof excellence.

This expo will also cre-ate partnerships with com-panies and consumers whichwill prove of immense benefitto time-constrained new or po-tential homeowners, who donot have enough time duringbusiness hours to explore thegoods and services that theycan access to facilitate the con-struction of their homes; so theawareness of the multiplicityof available opportunities thatexist for the various stakehold-ers will greatly assist their

choices in their constructionactivities.

Iwould like to congratulateHousing and Water MinisterIrfaan Ali for this initiative.

In the past ten years, there hasbeen a building boom in Guyana;and, in fact, for the year 2009,Guyana and Belize were the onlyCaricom countries to have experi-enced growth in the constructionsector.

This has translated into a great-er contribution of the sector to thecountrys Gross Domestic Product.

In 2009, the engineering andconstruction sector grew by 1.5 percent, and contributed 11 per cent ofGDP. In 2008, the sector grew by arobust 8.5 per cent.

The building boom has been fu-elled by public works and infra-structural projects, but has also re-sulted from tremendous growth inthe housing sector.

From 1994 to 2010, some 80,000house lots have been distributed,

and construction has been complet-ed on almost 75 per cent of these.

Data from the last census alsoshows that home ownership has ex-panded by 19.6 per cent from theprevious census in 1991.

This is a stellar achievement ina small and relatively poor econo-my like Guyanas.

The housing sector has also beenenhanced by joint initiatives of thegovernment and the private sec-tor, in which the commercial bankshave offered low-cost mortgages topotential home owners. This hasresulted in a further boost to thenumber of Guyanese owning theirown homes.

This Building Expo aims to sen-sitise the public about the variousproducts and services availableto those who are engaging in thebuilding and housing sector.

It also aims to showcase the of-ferings of companies involved inthe manufacture or distribution offurniture and other home accesso-ries.

We in the private sector are con-fdent that this expo, which bringstogether the companies and con-sumers, will have the benefcialeffect of increasing the number ofnew homes that are built as thestakeholders become aware of theopportunities, including fnancing,that are available.

I would like to urge all compa-nies which have either direct or

ancillary interest in the buildingtrade to participate in this BuildingExpo.

Head of the Private Sector Commission: Ramesh Dookhoo Minister Irfaan Ali

Minister Irfaan AliRamesh Dookhoo


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The Housing drive

in Berbice is on themove, and more per-

sons continue to apply andare granted house lots inthe Ancient County.

According to ZamalHussein, head of theHousing Committee inBerbice, about 90 per centof the land available for dis-tribution has already beentaken, and the new houselot owners have begunbuilding.

Presently, a few houselots are still available atNumber 77 Village andBloom eld, Corentyne.

The New GlasgowHousing Scheme is also al-

most 90 per cent occupied.Hussein noted that the

Housing Committee is re-ceiving large numbers of ap-plications for limited num-bers of house lots.

At Ordnance Fort Lands,East Canje, between 450and 500 house lots wereavailable, and there weremore than 3000 applicants,he said.

Hussein noted that EastBerbice is recording a boomin the housing and construc-tion sector.

This, he pointed out, cre-ates opportunities for theexpansion of businesseswithin Region Six.

Hussein further statedthat the economic recessionthat struck the rest of theworld has not had any ef-fect on Guyanas economy,particularly the economy ofEast Berbice, where the in-come of residents is signi -

cantly lower than those of

other regions.One factor in uencing

the boom in construction isbecause the house lots comewith the basic amenities ofwater, electricity, and prop-er roads. In some cases,residents are lucky to havetelephone lines already in-stalled.

Another factor which mayhave in uenced the boom inconstruction is the stabilityof Guyanas economy.

Hussein added that alarge number of applica-tions are received from remi-grants and overseas-basedGuyanese who choose to in-vest in building their homes

here rather than abroad.Consequently, one chal-

lenge facing the HousingCommittee is satisfyingall the demands of the ap-plicants. Hussein says theamount of applicants alwaysoutnumber the amount ofhouse lots available, whilepreference is another chal-lenge.

The long process involvedto collect transport for theland seems to be anotherissue for residents who areready to build. Hussein saysthe Housing Committee hasimplemented a number ofmeasures to speed up theprocess of obtaining trans-port, and there has sincebeen a signi cant improve -ment in that area.

Meanwhile, RegionalChairman Zul karMustapha, in an interviewwith Guyana Times, hassaid that, to satisfy the de-

mand for house lots, the re-

gional administration willbe clearing land for 3,500house lots at Ordnance FortLands. Phase Two of thatproject is to begin soon.

Mustapha has opinedthat the demand for houselots shows that while morepersons are moving into theregion to build their homes,many more persons aremoving to own homes.

Mustapha says this moveshows that the region is onan upward spiral of devel-opment.

He pointed out that,along with the housingboom, construction is alsoon the rise, since funding

from various lending insti-tutions is easily accessible.He noted that there are nowmore businesses involvedin selling and distributinghardware materials.

The regional chairmansays President Jagdeo hasspoken about the availabil-ity of more lands for dis-tribution, and the regionaladministration is lookingto clear land along theUpper Corentyne area fromCrabwood Creek to Number72 Village.

The Ancient County ofBerbice has seen large in-vestments made over theyears, the most recent beingthe proud commissioning ofthe Berbice River Bridge.The bridge has attractedlarge investors in the re-gion, while businesses oper-ating outside of Berbice nowuse it to transport goods tothe Ancient County.

Housing demandsincreasing in Berbice-3,500 more house lots to be available soon


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C

Head Office of the New Building Society

A private housing development on the East Coast of Demerara

A ba

Anot

The government has hadan aggressive hous-ing programme. This

President Bharrat Jagdeosays is at the helm of his ad-ministrations thrust to en-sure Guyanese secure theirown homes and as such hasundertaken several measuresto advance this goal.

In June, the president ata One Stop Shop exerciseorganised by the Ministry ofHousing and Water distribut-ed 600 houselot allocations.

.. It marks the beginningof a dream, a dream of owningyour own home, of advance-ment, of progress, at the per-sonal level. This is very impor-tant for me because a countrycant develop in the abstract

it cant develop just throughmacro fgures because thattype of development will meanvery little. It has to be an ag-gravation of wealth of individ-ual families and I keep say-ing that the primary task ofthe government is to ensurewe facilitate a process of cre-ating wealth at the level of thefamily... President Jagdeo hadsaid.

The government has setaside $4 billion to supportthe Housing Ministrys pro-gramme.

We have lifted the ceilings(for low income loans) and wehave changed the law to al-low the banks to get a specialincentive where they donthave to pay any tax on income

earned from loans made tospecifc sectors up to a particu -lar level and housing is one ofthose sectors so that they havean incentive to get involved sowe are making these changesand I anticipate that some-time in the future because thiscountry has enough for every-one, every single Guyanese ev-ery person will own his or herown home and that is what weare aiming for, the presidentadded.

While the target for theimmediate future ranges be-tween 17,000 and 20,000, thepresident is adamant thatthe government will not stopshort until its dream of everyGuyanese owning his/her ownhome is met.

Government will not stop short until every Guyaneseowns his own home President Jagdeo

President Bharrat Jagdeo meets residents of Tuschen


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nstruction boom

nder construction, Avenue of the Republic, Georgetown

Another high rise under construction at Regent and Camp Streets

City Mall on Regent and Camp Streets

TVG-Guyana Times, Camp and Quamina Streetsk under construction in Diamond

er bank under construction in Diamond Rebublic Bank on Camp and Robb Streets


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T here are plans by theHousing and WaterMinistry to transformthe East Bank Corridor intoa housing scheme. The EastBank Corridor is the stretchof land behind the GuyanaNational Stadium. The landwill be a continuation of theDiamond Housing Scheme.

Presently, Minister ofHousing and Water Irfaan

Ali s aid the project is at itslayout and design stage.The Minister said the ex-ecution of the project callsfor a lot of nancing whichGovernment is working ag-gressively to generate. Henoted part of the Kuwaititalks focused on a negotiat-ing process to further devel-op the Housing sector.

The development of theLands will be divided intotwo categories which will fallunder Public Private Sectorpartnership and PublicSector Investment. Furtherall Guyanese will be able topurchase a plot of land basedon their respective earningsas the land will be dividedinto Low Income, MiddleIncome, High Income, andCommercial plots.

Government had enteredin an agreement to buy theland from GuySuCo after itwas deemed unsuitable forcane cultivation. The sale ofthe Diamond lands were setout as a cost-cutting mea-sure in the blueprint for theindustry as outlined by theInterim Board.

The $34 billion expect-ed to be netted from thesale is critical to the indus-try. The turnaround plan forthe industry said GuySuCohas lands at Diamond andin other locations that arehighly marketable. It saidthe Diamond area has beentransformed into a housingarea, and noted that loca-tions in the Berbice regionin proximity to the Berbicebridge are now heavily indemand.

It is essential thatthe corporation be able tosell these lands at marketrates, the plan said, whilepointing out that in the pastGuySuCo has failed to ben-e t in any signi cant wayfrom the sale of lands. Itsaid land currently beingrecommended for sale couldhave a signi cant impact on

the corporations cash in owas a consequence.

The Diamond lands arevalued at $30 billion. Thedeal will ensure the availabil-ity of 10,000 more house lotson the East Bank Demerara.President Bharrat Jagdeopreviously had stated thatthe 2,000 acres of land wouldsee, within two years, ba-sic infrastructure being putinto place for allocations.

A $4 billio n supple-mentary allocation to theMinistry of Housing, re-cently, has been used forthe purchase of the land.Minister Ali said that the10,000 house lots are partof the 17,000 announcedby government to meet thehuge demand. The $4B al-location was critical for thepurchase of the GuySuColand, the

Minister noted, to ful-ll the policy of meeting the17,000 house lots and meet-ing the Region 4 demands.

He noted that much moreinvestments will be requiredto ensure the infrastructurewill be put in place to en-sure that service lots arecreated for the allottees.

East Bank corridorfor housing expansion- Housing Minister

The area behind the National Stadium slated for housing development

G uyana has seen a sig-ni cant boom in theconstruction sectorover the past two decades withconstruction accounting for anincreasing share of economicactivity.

In the rebased economymeasured for 2006 - 2010, con-struction accounts for close to 10per cent of economic activities.

The construction sectorcomprises civil engineeringworks such as sea defences,bridges and road constructionsto housing developments, resi-dential buildings and commer-cial facilities.

In the earlier phases of itsgrowth, the sector was domi-nated by public investmentsto address the decrepit eco-nomic infrastructure that wasa major hindrance to growth

at that time.With most of this econom-

ic infrastructure restored, thefastest growing sub-sectorin recent years has been thehousing sector.

This re ects a major shiftin the structure and charac-teristics of the constructionsector as private investmentshave played a more pivotalrole in this recent boom.

Construction is a pivot-al sector in any developmentstrategy with a high level of

job creation being made pos-sible in skilled and non-skilledareas. In addition there are vi-brant linkages throughout therest of the economy with -nancial services such as insur-ance, real estates services, fur-nishings and xtures, durablegoods, decorating and homeimprovements.

The governments housingpolicy is characterized by: aclear mandate to the strength-ened Central Housing andPlanning Authority; increasedsupply of public land for hous-ing development includingthrough public-private part-nerships with developers;partnering with nancial in -stitutions to reduce the lend-ing rates particularly for low-income borrowers and thecreation of a subsidy to low-

income households in the formof households equity sharepayments.

The implementation ofthese policies has been themain driver behind closing thegap between housing demandand supply, increased securityof tenure and improved struc-tural soundness of dwellings,particularly for low-incomehouseholds.

Nonetheless, some of thekey issues that continue toplague the sector include high-

er risks due to unregulatedcontractors, poorly monitoredand poorly enforced buildingcodes, inadequately super-vised civil works, and the slowpace of approvals for buildingplans.

There is need for increasedspace for small and mediumsized contractors in the non-housing construction sectorswhile greater access to afford-able nancing will continue toexpand residential buildingsector. Many contractors havethe requisite skills but lack ac-cess to the necessary equip-ment needed to win large con-tracts.

The government is explor-ing options to address theseissues through regulatory re-forms to improve standardsand public services - for ex-

ample in debarring unscru-pulous and under-performingcontractors - developing newpartnership arrangementswith the private sector, andreviewing the feasibility ofmachinery and equipmentrentals to small and mediumsized contractors.

Further, government willcontinue to provide more landfor housing schemes and sup-port private sector ventures inthe production of constructionand furnishing materials.

Construction pivotal to anydevelopment strategy


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F our major bankinginstitutions partici-pating in Guyanasfirst ever InternationalBuilding Expo have com-mended the governmentand the Housing Ministryfor the novel initiative.

Accor ding to the banks ,

the exposition offers oppor-tunities, particularly forcustomers and new and po-tential home owners.

In an invited comment,a New Building Societyrepresentative has saidthat, being a major playerin the housing sector, theinstitutions directors haverecognised the enormousbenefits that all the stake-holders stand to gain whenthey assemble in one loca-tion showcasing the fullrange of their products andservices.

The nation as a whole,

the representative hassaid, will benefit as the lat-est building products andfinancing options that areavailable locally go on dis-play.

Scotiabanks Productsand Markets Manager,Jennifer Cipriani-Nelson,

has said she believes theexpo provides businesses,including Scotiabank, withtremendous opportunitiesto showcase their servicesand products.

She is encouraging per-sons to visit the banksbooth, as the institutionwill be giving away tenstart-up home savingsplans.

Once a mortgage enqui-ry is done, the enquirersname would be entered fora chance to win one of thestart-up savings plans.

Scotiabank will be pro-

moting the government-sponsored mortgage pro-gramme which offersspecial interest rates onmortgages for low incomehomes.

Meanwhile, RepublicBanks Marketing andCommunications Manager

Michelle Johnson has saidthe event is seen as yetanother step towards ful-filling the ministrys visionfor home ownership for allGuyanese.

Republic Bank, she add-ed, continues to be very sup-portive of the ministrys vi-sion in its current low-costmortgage campaign, whichaffirms yes, you can be-come a homeowner wherewe offer the lowest interestrates on the market.

She added that thebank recognises that, inmany instances, even with

the growth in the buildingsector, the notion of homeownership seems to besomething beyond the av-erage persons reach.

As such , the bank looksforward to the opportuni-ty to reach out to a widecross-section of Guyanese,

not only to promote theirmortgage products, but toeducate persons on the ar-eas to consider when think-ing about becoming a hom-eowner.

At the Republ ic Bank sbooth, bank representa-tives will be taking on themortgage applications forpersons wishing to startthe process, and success-ful low-cost mortgage ap-plicants will benefit froma 50% reduction on theirmortgage application fees.

Republic Bank willalso be participating in

the learning tent. This isa presentation on mort-gage financing and beyondthat will offer attendeesinsights into various mort-gage products, and simpli-fy the process of obtaininga mortgage to suit vari-ous needs, along with the

banks supporting productsfor the acquisition of fur-niture and appliances, andother personal loans andbusiness financing.

Lucky attendees willreceive special RepublicBank giveaways.

Meanwhile, the GuyanaBank for Trade andIndustry (GBTI) has con-gratulated the governmentof Guyana and the HousingMinistry for the excellentinitiative.

Over the past years,we have seen many newhousing schemes opening

in Guyana. We at GBTIshare the similar beliefwith the government thatevery family should be giv-en the opportunity of own-ing their own home.

Last year, the bankstated, through the LowIncome Housing Loan

Agree ment, all commer cialbanks were afforded theopportunity of loweringthe interest rates for mort-gages with an increasedthreshold up to $8 millionfor low-income earners.

At GBTI, the inter estrates are as low as 4.9 percent per annum.

The bank also held anumber of outreach pro-grammes in areas such asDiamond and Tuschen.

The bank recently part-nered with the HousingMinistry in its One-StopShop, initiative.

Local banks laud housing

expo initiative

GBTI new headquarters, Kingston, GeorgetownMarketing and Communications Manager of Republic Bank (Guyana) Limited, Michelle Johnson,makes the presentation to Elfrieda Bissember, Curator/Director and Secretary of Castellani House


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B Y I NDRAWATTIE N ATRAM

Several financial in-stitutions in Guyanahave contributed

significantly in boostingthe construction industryin Region Two by makingavailable loans to personsto build their homes.

The banks havemade tremendous ef-fort in improving the liv-ing conditions of manyEssequibians.

Several new home own-ers have revealed that theacquisition of loans eitherfor the entire constructionor renovation/refurbishingof their homes was mostwelcome, as several com-mercial banks in the re-gion offered competitiveinterest rates.

The New BuildingSociety Limited (NBS) hasreally helped me in realis-ing and actually owning myown home, after living in asmall one for some twentyyears, Ramesh Danpat, ofGolden Fleece, EssequiboCoast, has said.

Danpat related that, be-cause he was living in anearthern (mud) house -- aresult of his meagre sala-ry as a cleaner, and he wasproviding for an extendedfamily, he could not af-ford to build a house on hisown.

He said he later learntabout the institutionsloan scheme, and appliedfor a loan.

Within six months I gotthrough, and today I own amodest concrete structurewith basic facilities andamenities, and I have a 15-year period to pay back,

Kishan Mohabeer,of Bush Lot Village,Essequibo Coast, said thathe, too, has taken a loanand is in the process ofconstructing his home andbusiness.

He said that, years ago,it was very difficult for

persons to acquire loans,and the processing time

was very lengthy. Today,it is much simpler to get a

loan.

Changing landscapeOver the years, con-

struction of businesses andresidential infrastructurehas drastically altered thelandscape of the CinderellaCounty, usually known forfarmlands and rice elds.

Throughout the coast,there has also been trans-formation in the type of ma-terials used in constructinghouses and businesses.

Most homes and busi-nesses erected are con-crete structures, which istestimony to the fact thatpersons are moving awayfrom the tradition of build-ing wooden structures.

Comparing the build-ing infrastructure withthose of a few decades ago,a marked increase in res-idential and commercialbuildings funded by com-mercial banks is evident.

Speaking to GuyanaTimes , local contractorPunraj Singh related that,indeed, the EssequiboCoast has been trans-formed.

The contractor saysthat many of the residen-tial buildings in the re-gion were constructed withfunding from banks.

He noted the banks

Construction industry has changedthe landscape of Region Two

One of the newly-constructed houses on the Essequibo Coast

have simplified the processof construction.

Only recently, theHousing and WaterMinistry, during its OneStop Shop campaign, alsoencouraged financial in-stitutions to be proactivein their outreaches, con-tributing to the develop-ment of the housing sectorin Guyana.


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T oday almost every as-pect of life is in u -enced by technologyin one way or another. Whiletechnologically advancedequipment and appliancesare brought on the marketevery so often and in uenc -ing the construction andbuilding sector, Guyanesehomes and businesses areequally becoming ..to tech -nology.

Imagine a world wheredata is accessible at the tipof ones ngers; where vastamounts of information canbe garnered off the internetwithout even stepping out ofones home; a world wheretechnologically advanced sys-tems are no longer privilegesbut necessities. In the days of

old, such a world would havebeen viewed as impossible,but already many countrieshave achieved this goal, andGuyana is certainly gettingat a fast pace.

Years ago, technological -ly advanced devices such aslaptops, smart phones andeven ash drives were onceviewed as business com -modities. Now however, ina world where the work andhome have begun to over -lap; where many are takingonline courses and wherebusinessmen and womenare continuously on the go,technology has transformedto t the lives and the needs

of the average man. As such,archaic systems have slow-ly been pushed into the dis -tance leaving no alternativebut for the older genera -tion to adapt. Now everyoneneeds a device of some kindto get through their every -day needs. Now we see al-most everyone with a smartphone or at least a comput -er of some kind at their dis -posal. However, in Guyana,price constraints and inabil-ity to access the internet atthe required speed previous -ly disadvantaged consum -ers.

Guyana recently took ahuge leap forward with the

laying of the GT&T Guyana/Suriname Submarine CableSystem (GSSCS); a systemthat has not only brought in -creased bandwidth but greatease to working and homeenvironments across thecountry.

The GSSCS was of ciallycommissioned by PresidentBharrat Jagdeo on July 29before a highly of cial au -dience of stakeholders. Thepresident stated that tele-communication services willalways have a big impacton peoples lives, not justas a provider of services ora generator of jobs but be -cause of its ability to trans -form every aspect of life.Telecommunications also in -creases productivity in sev -eral economic areas. He not-ed too that there is a long

journey between the devel -oping world and the devel-oped world and that Guyanawill not get there overnight.However, he assured thathard work will eventually

make Guyana reach its goal.The president enforcedhis statements by also an-nouncing the governmentsintention to invest in a US$30 million initiative where90,000 of the poorest homesin the country will receive alaptop. The move is a directintention to strengthen theprivate/public partnershipbetween the governmentand GT&T.

Chief Executive Of cer ofGT&T Yog Mahadeo laudedthe opportunities that arebeing opened up by the newcable, especially throughthe new strategic businesspartnerships that have been

formed since the cable waslanded on July 1.One suchpartnership was made withStarr Computers which re -cently launched their brandnew line of X-Finity comput -ers. The brand which is be-ing sold at a subsidized costis aimed at enabling schoolchildren greater access tocomputers and further inter -net access. As a bonus, stu -dent will receive one monthsfree DSL service after whichthey will also be providedwith service at a subsidizedcost from GT&T.

Gizmos and Gadgets alsocurrently has in stock high-tech devices that would not

have been compatible withthe low level of bandwidththat Guyana had been re -ceiving prior to the new ca-ble. Devices such as the

Apple TV, the I-Pad and PS3systems were on display.

Additionally, the compa -

ny also has in stock severalsmart phones with wi- com -patibility that will be sold atspecial prices for a limitedtime. Other companies on -board the new partnership,

include authorized resell -ers of the DSL service likeGuyanaNet and MDT.

It is inevitable that soonevery home will see an in-stant technological transfor-

mation which will allow theaverage person unlimitedinterconnectivity; no homewill be without a computerand hi-tech devices suchas gaming systems, and 3D

television systems.Through undisrupted

connectivity, which GT&Taims to provide, Guyana willhave a major stake in theglobal village.

Technology influencing building sector


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Guyana trees

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