New measures better position Guyanese to cushion rising food prices
-business, religious, trade union stakeholders

Georgetown, GINA, May 09, 2008.

Representatives of the business and religious communities and trade union movement have dubbed Government’s recent interventions to cushion the rising cost of food as an excellent package that will better position Guyanese to confront the current situation.
            This was highlighted today during a television interview with representative of the Inter-Religious Organisation of Guyana (IRO) Roshan Khan, businessman Mohabir Singh and Trade Unionist Carvil Duncan.
The interview, hosted by Assistant Programme Manager of the National Communications Network (NCN) Martin Goolsarran at the NCN studio, Homestretch Avenue, focused on the current food crisis.
The representatives pointed out that the current hike in food prices is not constrained to Guyana, but is a global issue. The efforts by some individuals and groups who are politicizing the issue locally were described as ‘unfortunate’ since the main contributory factors are global oil price increase, climate change and use of grain and other crops to produce biofuels in the developed states.
Duncan said the interventions announced by President Bharrat Jagdeo on May 07 are undoubtedly the beginning of a plan that should be endorsed by all citizens as a move to deal with the current situation that is likely to persist over a lengthy period.
He explained that while the plan does not include all the solutions to the challenges, it gives citizens the push to embark on activities that will help them cope with the difficulties ahead including the possibility of limited food supplies.
Additionally, he urged Guyanese not to view the Government’s interventions as just a $4000 package, but a comprehensive plan to help the vulnerable groups of society particularly the subsidising of flour and distribution of the commodity to consumers countrywide. 
Singh noted that the new measures are recognition of the administration’s obligation to help the most affected group, workers, thus the five percent increase in wages and salaries and the $4000 temporary cost of living adjustment for persons earning below $50, 000.
While highlighting the importance of initiatives such as the Agricultural Diversification Project and the National Competitiveness Strategy, he stressed the need for more focus on dissemination of information so Guyanese could be made aware of what and where opportunities are available.
It was noted that significant investments are being made in infrastructural development and while this will support economic development, there is need for increased value-added activities to create more jobs and support a diversified economy.
Similar statements were made by Khan who commended the ongoing interventions by Government including the focus on increased production taking into account the abundance of land resources.
He stressed the need for more Guyanese to get involved in farming and livestock activities to help them rise above the current food price challenge along with the support being given by Government.

more bulletins