The Government of Guyana through the Diaspora Unit of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the Private Sector of Guyana held its second job fair over the weekend in Nickerie, Suriname.
The event was in partnership with the Private Sector Commission, the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association, the Upper Corentyne Chamber of Commerce, the Region 5 Chamber of Commerce, and the Berbice Chamber of Commerce and Association Development.
A total of 120 delegates representing 30 businesses and agencies participated in the Nickerie event.
The businesses represented a wide cross-section of sectors and included companies in construction, hospitality, manufacturing, forestry, retail, insurance, farming, rice milling, and services. In response to requests from the Guyanese diaspora, the Diaspora Unit also included representatives from government agencies such as the National Insurance Scheme and the Central Recruitment and Manpower Agency.
Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud addressing the gathering
Speaking to the large turnout at the RD Center in Nickerie, Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud said, that the series of job fairs that are being undertaken stem from the government’s policies that are being put in place which are inclusionary not exclusionary. This, he explained, is because of President Irfaan Ali’s belief of a One Guyana where every single Guyanese, regardless of any persuasion, ethnicity or outlook, is able to participate in Guyana’s development.
“What is happening here today is unprecedented,” Persaud said, given that the response to the job fair in Suriname was overwhelmingly larger than the first job fair held in New York earlier this year.
“Guyanese who would have returned to Guyana in recent years are astonished with what is going on in the country. Other than being the fastest growing economy, with a budding oil and gas sector, we are expanding the traditional sectors and building new sectors of the economy. This presents tremendous opportunities not only for the people living in Guyana but also for the diaspora. We want you to be part of that exciting journey and this great future that stands before us. That is why we are here today. Not only to tell you the story but also for you to interact with the private sector to learn of those opportunities,” the Foreign Secretary told the large gathering.
Attendees interacting with one of the participating agencies
Persaud told the diaspora that it was important for every Guyanese to put their hands and commitment to the task of transforming Guyana. He said that persons who have asked why go to the diaspora, he has indicated that the government believes that the diaspora not only possess wealth, and experience but also share a desire to build a country that is strong, resilient and prosperous.
Also speaking at the event was former President of the Guyana Manufacturing Association (GMSA) Rafeek Khan who thanked the private sector companies for participating in the job fair and the government of Guyana for facilitating the event between Suriname and Guyana.
“My fellow Guyanese, as you know we are entrepreneurs at heart, so you are here attending this job fair, you will also have an opportunity to learn more about the products and services the companies have to offer which you can consider promoting in Suriname. You are also encouraged to share your ideas and lessons learned while living in Suriname and perhaps come back to Guyana to work with similar companies” Khan told the diaspora.
Suriname is said to have over 60,000 Guyanese residents with the largest concentration in Nickerie. In one of his overseas visits, His Excellency President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, committed to provide information to the diaspora on job opportunities existing in Guyana for Guyanese who are interested in returning and joining the workforce. This in turn, will assist employers across the sectors to find critical labour and skills needed.
Several hundred persons from Nickerie attended and interacted with the Guyanese delegation (Press release from the Diaspora Unit)
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