Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry- Oldest Private Sector Representative In Guyana

GCCI was established in 1890 for the promotion and protection of trade and investment. When it was established, it represented businesses in the mercantile sector. Over the years, the business environment would have evolved and so the Chamber also evolved and catered for the needs of every sector of the economy. Its driving force are its members and consist of professional staff. It is a non-profit association of business people committed to improving economic climate and quality of life in Guyana. Both large and small businesses from every sector are represented. Moreover, GCCI is legislatively mandated under the GCCI Act Chapter 89:03 of the laws of Guyana

Main Objective

The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s main objective is to provide advocacy to the business community by protecting and promoting the interests of businesses and ensuring ethical practices in trade, commerce and industry. In addition, it is committed to connecting businesses and stimulating policies in order to foster the economic and social development of the state of Guyana.

History of The GCCI

GCCI first named “The Chamber of Commerce of the City of Georgetown” begun at a meeting with Royal Agricultural Commercial Society and a Commercial Committee in December 1888. The two bodies then merged and was later formed into a Chamber of Commerce for the city recognised by law in July 1989. Between 1889-1990 the membership was 77 of which 3 were eliminated for non-payment of subscription which was $10.00 per year. In the pre-independence era, GCCI was headed by expatriate business executives and it was also an exclusive club for men. During that period, there were Guyanese who were elected presidents of organization, the majority representing foreign owned companies. Further, both the Chamber and two traditional churches (Anglican and Roman Catholic) played active behind the scene roles in the administration of the country.

The Annual General Meetings of the chamber were looked upon as special events and wide coverage was given to these proceedings and speeches by Governor, representatives of the government of the day, and both the incoming and outgoing Presidents. It should be noted that not only was the press (Newspapers) in private hands, (the Wight’s), but also the expatriate firm of Bookers, with the lone Radio Station in the hands of a British-owned company (Reddiffusion), (the monthly business meetings received ample coverage in the press).

Although the business community under the British was represented in the Legislature, it was Mr. D’Aguiar, the soft drinks, rum, beer and fast food, pioneer whose political party the United Force that took the bold step by entering into local politics and eventually winning seats in parliament.

The United Force subsequently formed a coalition with the Peoples’ National Congress which was led by Mr. Forbes Burnham, who later became Guyana’s first Executive President. The coalition did not last long and Mr. D’Aguiar took his party into opposition with the late Dr. Cheddi Jagan’s Peoples’ Progressive Party. Their ideologies were poles apart.

With the gradual introduction of certain socialist policies by Mr. Burnham, on the body politic, the influence of the Chamber began to wane. The Chamber was once described by Mr. Burnham as a body made up of “Commission Agents”.

Over the past years, the Chamber underwent an internal review and restructured many of its processes. These enabled the Chamber to serve its members more efficiently. However, the mechanisms which were needed to meet the specific needs of members and ensure that their concerns were heard, understood and addressed were not present. It was in this regard, the Chamber engaged in the development of its five years Strategic Plan 2008 – 2012. The Chamber’s Strategic Plan was its tool for defining its strategies and making decisions on allocating resources in pursuit of those strategies including its human and capital assets. This Plan also provided direction and focus for all employees and points to specific results that are to be achieved and establishes a course of action for achieving them.

The goals and objectives of the Plan were intended to re-position the Chamber to ensure that the Chamber remains relevant. It will enable the Chamber to be better able to serve and meet its members’ specific needs and ensure that their interests are represented. At the same time, specific activities contributed toward financial self-sufficiency. The Plan includes strategies for creating a need for members’ service and expanding the membership base to include the non-traditional service sectors and those who are not yet represented.

Did You Know?

• The GCCI serves the interest of over 175 active members (2019 figure).
• Annual General Meetings are held in March each year.
• Over the year the GCCI had over 50 presidents

Core Values

• Commitment
• Integrity
• Courtesy
• Collaboration

Mission Of The GCCI

The GCCI represents the voice of the business community in Guyana and strives to advocate policies, stimulate trade and investment, connect businesses, sustain economic growth and expand member opportunities with the aim of contributing to a stable and sustainable economic and social environment in Guyana where businesses can prosper.

General Contact Information

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References

• http://gcci.gy/our-strategic-plan/
• http://gcci.gy/our-mission-vision-core-values/
• http://gcci.gy/our-history/