(Kaieteur News) – The Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) has mounted a strong challenge to government’s decision to invest almost half a billion dollars in a state-owned water bottling plant, noting that the move could crush private investment and place government in direct competition with local manufacturers that have spent years building the industry.

In a statement released on Tuesday, GMSA which represents local manufacturers, called on the government to review the proposed water bottling facility, a venture that will fall under the purview of the Guyana Water Inc. (GWI).

The National Assembly on 27th July, approved $496.3 million to establish the country’s first state-owned water bottling plant, a move which furthers President Irfaan Ali’s push for 100 per cent locally produced bottled water.