By Kurt Campbell
[www.inewsguyana.com] – President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) Clinton Urling has assured the Chamber’s members that the state of the grouping has never been stronger and more robust than it is now.
He said the GCCI has emerged as a highly recognizable, respected and vocal non- partisan champion of the interest of Guyana’s private sector and the nation as a whole.
“Financially, the Chamber is one of the most, if not the most, self-sustainable civil society organization in the country. Due to the support of our members and initiatives of our various committees, the Chamber has been able to achieve record levels of income over the past few years and 2013 is shaping up to be the largest of them all,” the Chamber President said.
Urling made these pronouncements to a room of leading businessmen and business icons while delivering remarks at the GCCI 124th Gala and Award Ceremony at the Pegasus, Georgetown on Wednesday, December 4.
He said this success has allowed the Chamber to be a staunch non-partisan advocate in favour of initiatives that enhance the country’s profile, competitiveness, economic and social environment.
“As overcast as it gets, we must not lose sight of our national motto of “One people, One Nation, One Destiny.” In order to achieve our individual interests, it requires collective action. We are all caught in an inescapable web of mutuality tied in a single garment of destiny,” Urling told his business counterparts.
The evening also saw the honoring of the best in commerce and industry in 2013 and homage was paid to Marie June Mendes. who over her lifetime has made a significant impact on the business sector in Guyana.
The Chamber also acknowledged public sector agencies and media house that have facilitated and offered coverage of the work of the Chamber in 2013.
For the first time this year the body paid tribute and showed appreciation to the important contributions made to the development of the Chamber over the past four decades by honoring all the past presidents who are still alive.
According to Urling, the conferral seeks to give thanks and appreciation to their sincere efforts of service to the Chamber directly and by extension the country as a whole.
“As the Chamber heads into its 125th year of existence it continues to stand on the shoulders of giants and drink from wells of opportunity that it did not dig.”
The companies, agencies and individuals honored last evening according the GCCI Head all performed with exemplary distinction and are deserving of the accolades and adulation’s bestowed up them.
