…says venture could discourage investment by local producers

The Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) is calling on the Government to review plans for a state-owned bottled water facility, arguing that the country’s goal of achieving 100 per cent locally produced bottled water can be realised through partnerships with existing local manufacturers rather than direct State participation in the market. The Association’s call comes after the National Assembly approved $496.3 million for a Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI)-operated water bottling facility. On Tuesday the GMSA said it supports the Government’s objective of producing all bottled water locally and noted that earlier this year it met with Minister of Public Utilities and Aviation Deodat Indar and GWI officials, along with local bottled water manufacturers, to discuss opportunities and challenges within the industry. According to the Association, the initiative presents an opportunity to strengthen local manufacturing, create jobs and improve Guyana’s economic resilience. However, it maintained that the proposed State venture should be designed to support, rather than compete with, businesses that have already invested in the sector. The GMSA said several of its members have invested significant capital, developed distribution networks and created employment through bottled water production over many years.

The Association also referenced President Irfaan Ali’s announcement in February, in which he spoke of achieving 100 per cent locally produced bottled water through close collaboration between the Government and the private sector, including shared production infrastructure such as bottle manufacturing to reduce costs across the industry.