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Government is seriously considering the reduction or even elimination of log exports as part of the measures to help improve local processing.President David GrangerSpeaking on the weekly televised programme, ‘The Public Interest’, President David Granger yesterday argued that his administration has been pushing for more value-added processing.The president was at the time responding to questions about the need for cheaper energy, a major complaint over years by manufacturers who said that it is too high.Guyana depends heavily on imported oil for its energy needs but has rolled out a ‘green’ programme that will develop alternative energy sources including hydroelectric, wind, solar and even bio-mass.Acknowledging that the country would be stagnated with cheaper and dependable power, the Head of State pointed out that the country has the resources to become a regional power house.There cannot be “competitive manufacturing” without cheap energy, he said. Guyana has become too addicted to oil, he said, with too much dependence on gasoline and diesel.Already, the administration is taking steps to convert the energy needs of the state-owned offices to go green,Karl Mecklenburg Broncos Jersey, using alternative energy.This initiative is nothing new as it is happening throughout the Caribbean.For the manufacturing sector, the use of alternative energy to allow more processing will be the way to go, President Granger said. It will allow for goods to be produced cheaper and thus become more competitive.Granger highlighted the gold sector,Steve Largent Seahawks Jersey, insisting that more jewelry needs to be produced. He urged jewelers and other investors to seriously consider introducing a gold refinery. It will help the wholesale export of gold and cut down on smuggling.With regards to the timber industry,Seth Joyner Eagles Jersey, the official said that there was a time when the country had lumber that was properly processed,Jerome Brown Eagles Jersey, allowing homes to last longer. Today, there is a need to ensure proper processing that will not see poor quality lumber being sold,Jim Otto Raiders Jersey, leaving homeowners and others with headaches.Government is seriously considering more restrictions on log exports to help push more value-added.Over the years, the timber industry has been heavily reliant on exports of raw logs for profits with little attention to local processing.The previous administration had been talking about more value-added but save for a few sawmills, kiln ovens and a plywood manufacturing factory at Land of Canaan, East Bank Demerara, there has been little progress in this direction.As a matter of fact, log exports have shown an increase in recent years, with the operations of a number of Asian companies, like BaiShanLin, which has exported thousands of containers,Tom Waddle Bears Jersey, not helping much.This was despite the previous government introducing a disincentive program that saw export taxes being increased annually.Loggers have been resisting talks about a total ban.According to President Granger, yesterday,Bruce Matthews Titans Jersey, he agrees with proposals for some levels of restrictions on log export. Some of the ideas being mulled even include a total elimination of the exports of raw logs.Of course, there should be more sawmills with encouragement for more university programmes that will see graduates focusing on forestry and value-added.Guyana, he said, have the potential to become a furniture hub of the Caribbean. But furniture making is the only thing.Guyana has the possibilities of even using rice to make cereals and sugar for candies.Jewelry making also have potentials, he said.Manufacturing,Louis Lipps Steelers Jersey, he stressed,Tom Rathman 49ers Jersey, will be the way to go if Guyana is serious about economic prosperity. |
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