Charity Waterfront expansion to boost investments in trade, agriculture – Pres. Ali

The development of the Charity Waterfront in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) will lead to expanded trade and agriculture in the region.

This was highlighted by President Dr. Irfaan Ali who addressed the opening of the Deeds and Commercial Registries Authority Building at Suddie, Essequibo Coast on Wednesday. He noted that “the beautiful waterfront development in Charity will see direct trade to the Caribbean, direct movement of products, logistics, tourism, a cold freeze value chain.”

The Charity Market Wharf is being modernised. The $880 million project, awarded to S. Jagmohan Construction and General Supplies Inc., aims to transform Charity into a major trade hub. The project includes a state-of-the-art port facility with modern loading ramps, waiting areas, and world-class packaging and storage facilities to meet export standards.

It also involves river reclamation and dredging of the Pomeroon River to accommodate larger vessels, supporting agriculture and trade expansion.

One of the main economic activities on the Essequibo Coast and surrounding communities in the Pomeroon River is agriculture. With this in mind, the President said the government will invest in a “cold freeze value chain storage for crops, for agro-processing, for packaging.”

“…and of course, specialised storage facility will be a part of that development to support our farmers in Essequibo and in the Pomeroon,” he added.

Further, he touted the development of a coconut value chain which is the most farmed crop in the Pomeroon, increased investment in drainage and irrigation, a modern paddy storage facility and paddy drying facility, and drone technology for farmers.

“[I have] asked the drone department to look at commercial drones so farmers can be supported to reduce their cost and increase profitability,” the Head of State noted.

Still on agriculture, he noted that the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) and the Ministry of Agriculture have been asked to work on developing high value crops to support rice farming which will contribute to additional income to the farmers.

According to Dr. Ali, over the last four years, close to $100 billion was expended on development in the Pomeroon-Supenaam region.

During Wednesday’s opening ceremony, he also touted the introduction of a special investment tax regime to support investment, development and job creation in the region. This is being addressed by the Ministry of Finance.

The President also spoke of the access to university education for Essequibians through the Guyana Digital School in the near future, in pharmacy, tourism and hospitality, agriculture science, dentistry, civil, mechanical and electrical engineering.

“Whether we have to build the lab facilities, we will build the lab facilities to ensure that your children can have these degrees and diplomas, specifically identified based on the needs of our country in the immediate future,” the President said.

“These are all initiatives that we have to further enhance the economy here in Region Two and bring greater benefits to the people here in Region Two,” he noted.

Meanwhile, amid Venezuela’s unlawful claims to the Guyana’s Essequibo region, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall noted that it is important to celebrate the developments in the region.

“It is important that we celebrate these events because you know Essequibo is being coveted by our neighbours to the west and…the Government of Guyana has been able to skillfully navigate the ship of Guyana to safety,” he said.

The AG added: “we will continue to edify and manage the affairs of Essequibo because it is ours.”