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Issue No. 33 October-December 2012

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Dear Members and Friends of GMSA,

We take this opportunity to express sincerest gratitude to you for all your support and commitment to the development of the GMSA throughout the year just ended. Please accept our wishes for Love, Peace and Happiness for you and your families, and unprecedented growth for your enterprises in 2013.

This year will mark a major milestone for GMSA - our 50th Anniversary. Your steadfast support over the years has played no small part in helping the Association to reach this significant milestone. We remain very optimistic about the potential for further development of both the Manufacturing and Services sectors and have planned a number of activities to commemorate what promises to become an auspicious period in the history of this Association.

The GMSA looks forward to your involvement in the anniversary programme with the theme: “Made in Guyana” which we intend to place at the forefront of the national agenda. The Secretariat will ensure that you are kept abreast with all plans and developments as time progresses.

We are fully cognizant of the many challenges that businesses have encountered in the past. The GMSA intends to make this a watershed year, creating greater opportunities for business while working with the relevant authorities to eradicate the hurdles.

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HHHAAAPPPPPPYYY NNNEEEWWW YYYEEEAAARRR!!!

NEWSLETTER

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IN THIS ISSUE

GMSA Annual Presentation Award Dinner 2012 Hugely Successful

TFO CANADA & GMSA Spearhead Project To Boost Arts & Craft & Agro Foods Exports

Energy Project on the move

Canadian High Commissioner to Open GMSA Seminar On Cutting-edge Leadership

Techniques

Meet Our New Members

NOTICES

GMSA‟s Annual Presentation of Awards and Dinner was held in the

Savannah Suite of the Guyana Pegasus Hotel that was filled beyond

capacity on Thursday 29th November. The pre-event cocktail hour spilled

into the hotel lobby. There was a virtual sea of business executives

meeting and greeting and anticipating a full evening of scintillation as they

have come to expect from the GMSA.

This was the Association‟s 17th consecutive Awards ceremony held to

tangibly reward micro to large scale entrepreneurs across the business

spectrum, associated with the GMSA or not, whose achievements over the

past year were remarkable. Representatives from the Diplomatic

Community were visibly present as were those from the NGO, non-profit

national and international organizations.

The very detailed report delivered by President Mohindra Chand gave rise

to a rather stirring address by keynote speaker, Dr. Ashni Singh, Minister of

Finance. He offered the Government‟s positions on several of the issues

raised by the GMSA‟s President then issued a no-holds-barred invitation to

the executive to visit with him and continue discussions on a slew of

matters inhibiting the smooth movement of business transactions including

suggestions to improve service delivery at the Customs Administration

Department. (Go to www.gmsagy.org for more)

The highpoint of the evening, aside from the tantalizing display of Sonia

Noel‟s haute couture and a sampling of the Ministry of Culture‟s Mash 2013

costumes, was the presentation of awards. Topping the list was Sterling

Products that received the President of Guyana‟s accolade for Export

Achievement. In fact, the GMSA is the only BSO that has been given the

distinction of including an award from the Executive President into its

awards regime.

The Lifetime Achievement award went to L . Seepersaud Maraj & Sons that

has chalked up more than 70 years worth of crafting Gold Jewellery for the

local and overseas markets. Barama Company won for attaining Verified

Legal Origin (VLO) international certification, and for expanding the range

of its services to the Mining, Forestry & Wood Products industries, and

introducing new and innovative technologies and methodologies.

APAD 2012 HUGELY SUCCESSFUL

A posthumous award was given to the

family of the late Dennis Morgan, the

recently deceased trailblazer for

Guyana‟s garment sector. This was by

far the most poignant moment during

the four-hour event. (Go to

www.gmsagy.org for citations,

photographs and more)

GMSA President, Mohindra Chand,

delivering his Report.

Keynote Speaker, Minister of Finance,

Dr. Ashni Singh

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She noted that Dr. Millar’s presentation has proven that sustainability on the whole forces

HIGHLIGHTS ANNUAL PRESENTATION OF AWARDS & DINNER

All of the awardees

posed for this

memorable photo

Picturesque scenes

from that

memorable

evening.

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Advertising & Marketing Services

For boosting significantly the image of

Guyana as an investment and tourism

destination of significance, by the

introduction of a new media sub-type.

This Company has introduced over

the years the production of Magazines

that cover events of NGOs,

Associations and other Organizations,

creating a significant improvement to

the national image.

Advertising & Marketing Services

For boosting significantly the image of

Guyana as an investment and tourism

destination of significance, by the

introduction of a new media sub-type.

This Company has introduced over

the years the production of Magazines

that cover events of NGOs,

Associations and other Organizations,

creating a significant improvement to

the national image.

Advertising & Marketing Services

For boosting significantly the image of

Guyana as an investment and tourism

destination of significance, by the

introduction of a new media sub-type.

This Company has introduced over

the years the production of Magazines

that cover events of NGOs,

Associations and other Organizations,

creating a significant improvement to

the national image.

After many years of relative stagnation and the inability to coalesce and approach the export market

from a unified position, the Guyana Arts and Craft Producers Association (GACPA) is now being

prepared to market their products and non-commodity services to the international market. The

Trade Facilitation Office (TFO) of Canada, the Guyana branch of the Canadian Executive Services

Organisation (CESO) and the GMSA have come together with the mutual intention to cooperate and

implement a two-year Trade Capacity Building Project.

The main objective is to facilitate sharing of Canadian trade expertise to benefit smaller enterprises,

with a specific focus on women-led/managed businesses. This project falls within the framework of

the TFO/CESO Trade Capacity Building Project 2012 – 2014 and is being funded by the Partnerships

with Canadians branch of the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).

This project was created by TFO following the creditable showing of local products at two trade fairs

in Toronto Canada – the Interior Design show in January and the Agro-Products Expo in May 2011.

Under the auspices of the GMSA, TFO had been directly involved in the training and preparation of

the eight local artisanal manufacturers of eclectic furniture and home décor products for the high

standards of the export market.

Locally and overseas-based representatives of both these organizations met with the artisans and

agro-processors in September and November 2011 to continue to assess the development since the

2011 Toronto trade shows. The visiting teams also met with fashion designers and other agro-

processors including apiculturists.

TFO team leader, Brian Mitchell, explained during the September visit that the new two-year

programme aims to help participating companies/organisations in the two specific sectors to establish

contacts with international markets in order to generate new export sales and ultimately increase

employment opportunities. It is also intended to improve the capacity of local trade support

institutions like the GMSA to create for the SME‟s the environment for human resource development,

product line expansion and their general preparedness for external trade and competitiveness.

According to Mr. Mitchell, the quality of products that were previously exhibited in Canada confirmed

Guyana‟s market potential but it identified a number of obstacles to generating new export sales.

One such was the absence of a local mechanism for joint export - order consolidation, quality control,

shipping and customer service. This new project is intended to steer GACPA towards establishing its

own self-sustaining Market Access/Export Secretariat.

In the latter part of the project the supported producers under the auspices of GMSA will have the

opportunity to exhibit and market their new collections and products at the August 2013 edition of

the Interior Design and possibly the January 2014 trade shows in Toronto. Assistance will

be provided in Canada to recruit buyers and support commercial negotiations after the events.

(See entire article on www.gmsagy.org)

TFO CANADA & GMSA SPEARHEAD PROJECT TO BOOST ARTS & CRAFT & AGRO FOODS EXPORT

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ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROJECT ON THE MOVE

The first of the three-part project, the Energy Ratings Survey and Baseline Study, got underway in October, conducted by renowned Jamaican Energy Specialist, Eaton Haughton, CEO/Owner of Caribbean ESCo Ltd. Over the past 25 years he has completed or contributed to several internationally funded projects in Belize, the Bahamas islands, Jamaica, St. Lucia, Suriname and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Early in 2011 he completed an extensive Energy Audit at the Turkeyen ECD CARICOM Secretariat.

Mr. Haughton conducted the first round of visits to the five pilot companies during Qtr4 2011, and by March

2013 is expected to complete the ratings and baseline study and submit his final report. This study involves

measuring power input and output at each location and assessing the viability and suitability of the companies‟

electrical installations in their factories, workshops and offices. Their systemic and operational energy demands

are also being analysed against consumption patterns and costs.

In a brief conversation he stated emphatically that his primary thrust has always been to improve the efficiency

of energy delivery and consumption ahead of capital investments for power from renewable sources. “I may

have some radical views on energy efficiency,” he stated, but they have been tried and tested over the quarter

century that he has been involved in the business of energy management. “My first objective is to find the

means that will enable Guyanese companies to save money. I am all about the „bottom line‟,” he said.

Throughout the Caribbean, Guyana included, he said that there is a dearth of sufficient information to improve

general awareness and prevent people and companies from being misled into believing that new equipment

could resolve their high energy costs. “Energy Efficiency is paramount,” he said, noting that “When a company‟s

energy management system is geared towards efficient consumption, that company will save itself the expense

of investing in renewable energy capital.”

The efficiency survey will be followed immediately in Q1-2 2013 with an Energy Audit which will involve live In-

Plant measurements and monitoring of electrical assets to arrive at variance analyses between actual and rated

consumption levels. A second internationally renowned Energy Auditor, overseas-based Guyanese Dr. Carl

Duncan, will conduct the audit and then make recommendations for corrective technological, structural or

procedural action.

In the interim, the Consultants will facilitate three (3) Workshops for business owners and representatives

operating in the commercial, food and agricultural, services, manufacturing and other sectors. Project

Administrator, Clement Duncan, explained that all the data gathered during both phases of the project will be

morphed into a National business guide for efficient energy conductivity and consumption in businesses

nationwide.

Consultant Eaton Haughton conducting the preliminary tests at

one pilot company

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REMINDER:The Guyana Manufacturing and Services

Association, having undertaken an assessment of the Labelling and Packaging needs of local small &

medium sized enterprises (SMEs) is now able to offer assistance, particularly for the export market.

The Association can produce a “Nutritional Facts” box for food labels designed to meet the established requirements of the United

States, Canadian and other export markets.

CANADIAN HIGH COMMISSIONER TO OPEN GMSA SEMINAR ON CUTTING-EDGE LEADERSHIP TECHNIQUES

Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana, HE David Devine, is scheduled to declare open the first GMSA

training seminar for 2013 on 15th January at the Regency Suites Hotel. President Mohindra Chand is also slated to deliver brief remarks. This programme, facilitated by Barbados-based Business Development and Communications consultant, Sandra Ann Baptiste, is titled “Leadership Excellence, Inspiring and Motivating your Team for Peak Performance”. It is designed to impart cutting-edge Leadership techniques to both new and seasoned business professionals.

According to Ms. Baptiste, mastering leadership techniques first requires a commitment to become a transformational leader who understands and practises collaboration, team building and effective communication. She insists that leadership by example is the key to creating a cohesive workforce of people who share and participate in an institution‟s forward trajectory.

Leadership development programmes have been proven to boost employee morale and improve productivity through faster generation of new ideas. Ultimately, excellent leadership techniques equip both seasoned and new leaders with the skills to face their challenges with greater confidence from an enhanced knowledge base, and make an impact on the company‟s bottom line.

Participants at the January Seminar will learn among other things, about the fundamentals of successful leadership including the difference between Leadership and Management. Ms. Baptiste said that the new techniques will enhance the participants‟ “people skills” and teach them to become nurturing leaders able to build and sustain „winning teams‟.

In April 2012 she had facilitated a one-day seminar, “Successful Exhibiting”, for representatives/owners of companies that were preparing for the 2012 Building Exposition (July) and the national GuyExpo (September/October).

FLASHBACK 2012: Ms. Baptiste posed with some participants of the

Successful Exhibiting seminar in 2012

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SMILE AWHILE

DISORDER IN AMERICAN COURTS ATTORNEY: How was your first marriage terminated? WITNESS: By death. ATTORNEY: And by whose death was it terminated? WITNESS: Take a guess. ATTORNEY: Can you describe the individual?

WITNESS: He was about medium height and had a beard. ATTORNEY: Was this a male or a female? WITNESS: Unless the Circus was in town I'm going with male.

ATTORNEY: Doctor, how many of your autopsies have you performed on dead people?

WITNESS: All of them. The live ones put up too much of a fight

ATTORNEY: ALL your responses MUST be oral, OK? What school did you go to?

WITNESS: Oral.

TTTHHHEEE VVVAAAGGGAAARRRIIIEEESSS OOOFFF CCCOOOMMMMMMUUUNNNIIICCCAAATTTIIIOOONNN

Memo from Director General to Manager: “Today at 11 o'clock there will be a total eclipse of the sun. This is when the sun

disappears behind the moon for two minutes. As this is something that cannot be seen every

day, time will be allowed for employees to view the eclipse in the car park. Staff should

meet in the car park at ten to eleven, when I will deliver a short speech introducing the

eclipse, and giving some background information. Safety goggles will be made available at a

small cost.”

Memo from Manager to Department Head: “Today at ten to eleven, all staff should meet in the car park. This will be followed by a

total eclipse of the sun, which will disappear for two minutes. For a moderate cost, this

will be made safe with goggles.

The Director General will deliver a short speech beforehand to give us all some background

information. This is not something that can be seen every day.”

Memo from Department Head to Floor Manager: “The Director General will today deliver a short speech to make the sun disappear for two

minutes in the eclipse. This is something that cannot be seen every day, so staff will meet

in the car park at ten or eleven. This will be safe, if you pay a moderate cost.”

Memo From Floor Manager to Supervisor: “Ten or eleven staff are to go to the car park, where the Director General will eclipse the

sun for two minutes. This doesn't happen every day. It will be safe, but it will cost you.”

Memo from Supervisor to staff: “Some staff will go to the car park today to see the Director General disappear. It is a

pity this doesn't happen every day.”

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Guyana Manufacturing & Services Association Ltd.

157 Waterloo Street, North Cummingsburg

Georgetown, Guyana, South America

Tel: (592) 223-7405, 223-7406

Fax: (592) 225-5615

Email:gma_guyana@yahoo.com

Website: www.gmsaorg.gy

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Guyana Industrial Minerals, Inc. engages in mining and exploration activities. The company was incorporated in 2000 and is based in Georgetown and operates as a subsidiary of First Bauxite Corporation.

First Bauxite Corporation signed a bilateral mineral agreement with the Government of Guyana and its local operating subsidiary, Guyana Industrial Minerals, Inc., for the operation of the Bonasika Bauxite Project in Guyana. The company also received its Environmental Permit to mine the Bonasika # 6 & 7 bauxite deposits and to haul and process the bauxite ore at the Sand Hills sinter plant complex.

There are plans for construction and operation of a port facility, road and power improvements along with the construction and operation of the mine. The company expects to receive its Mining License shortly from the GGMC.

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The mission of JTW AMI is to provide leaders and managers with accessible skills and services essential to creating and sustaining strong enterprises. Its main activities since its inception have been conducting modular training in leadership, management, project management, business support skills as well as specific on-the job training on the invitation of employers. The Management Institute was registered under the Business Names Act in 2011, and incorporated in April 2012, but Ms Joycelyn Williams had been functioning as a Consultant since July 2007. It is governed by a 6-member Board of Governors, all of whom possess significant experience in management and vocational training. Among its clientele are CIDA, IDB, USAID, EU and several private sector BSO‟s in Guyana. JTW & Associates Management Institute Inc. was one of five (5) private sector enterprises in Guyana to secure approval for grant funding from Caribbean Export under the most recent European Union €2.5 million funding program.

MEET OUR NEW MEMBERS