Alleged Stone Shortage: GCCI urges Public Works to give BK ‘benefit of the doubt’

[www.inewsguyana.com] – The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI) has taken notice of the public friction between the Ministry of Public Works and BK International Inc and is urging both sides to reach a settlement that would ensure a win-win situation for the two parties and by extension the infrastructure, construction and building sectors in Guyana.

The Public Works Ministry and BK International have been at loggerheads following the announcement of a shortage in domestically produced stones by President Donald Ramotar just over a week ago.

BK International has since refuted those claims, while at the same time accusing Public Works Minister Robeson Benn of launching a personal attack on the local construction company.

Meanwhile, the Public Works Minister says he stands firm behind the President’s announcement, stating that a shortage in stones have existed for the last two years in Guyana.

The GCCI in a press statement on Tuesday September 17 noted that it is the body’s principled and fundamental belief that if local private sector companies can supply any goods or services adequately and which meets the necessary quality threshold, then the government should not intervene and compete or cause market distortion by importing such goods and services.

The GCCI recommends that in this particular case, the Ministry of Public Works should concede the benefit of the doubt to BK International and take the company up on its stated public position that it can sufficiently supply the domestic market with stones if the requisite demands are made.

Additionally, the body calls for constructive and productive dialogue and consultation between the Ministry of Public Works and private industry players to asses and evaluate the current challenges and to arrive at common ground on this issue to ensure that the best possible outcome is arrived at for the interest of all Guyanese. The Chamber says it will continue to monitor this development and hope that a speedy amicable resolution can be arrived at soon.