A recommendation is likely to soon be prepared and sent to Cabinet recommending that Government give more incentives to those within the private sector willing to get involved in the production of local materials.
Making this proposal is Minister of Finance, Mr. Winston Jordan, who has revealed that those willing to become involved in things such as clay brick manufacturing and the production of pre-fabricated houses.
The Finance Minister said that he is keen on seeing houses built for the local and overseas market with Guyana’s wood, clay brick and other locally sourced materials.
“I want to see maximum use of our bamboo and wood including the shavings and our coconut, being used, and if memory serves me well, I believe that the Institute of Applied Science and Technology (IAST) once experimented with producing clear toilet bowl and wash hand sinks,” said Jordan.
He added, “indeed, I seem to recall that a local private sector entity which had benefited from loans from the now defunct Guyana Agricultural Development Bank (GAIBANK) had actually developed a bathroom tub, and a range of bathroom furniture made out of PVC material.”
All of this, Minister Jordan explained, adds value, provides employment and reduces demand for foreign currency. “Guyana once exported clay brick and prefab houses to our sister CARICOM territories,” he reminded.
“We have the knowledge, we have the skills and we have the raw material, so let us get back into that groove,” he urged.