Source: Kaieteur News

One week after U.S Ambassador, Perry Holloway’s announcement, American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM) Guyana Inc. has installed an interim sixteen-member board to help guide the chamber through its first year of establishment.

The current Board comprises a dynamic mix of local, regional, and U.S Directors who are eager to dedicate their service, knowledge, and expertise to ensuring a productive start for the chamber. The members are:

• Mr. Zulfikar Ally, Queens Atlantic
• Mr. Clairmont Cummings, Corum Group
• Ms. Liz Wyatt, Sol Guyana
• Mr. Dave Kissoon, London House Chambers
• Mr. Justin Nedd, GT&T
• Mr. Rod Henson, Exxon Mobil
• Ms. Davie Sukdeo, Guyana Marriott
• Mr. George Kalantzakis, HESS Corporation
• Mr. Rafael Nabi, Nabi Construction Inc.
• Ms. Saskia Wijngaarde, RED Entertainment
• Ms. Yolander Persaud, Massy Group Guyana
• Mr. Jorge Medina, MACORP
• Mr. Richard Sammy, Republic Bank
• Ms. Marisca Jordan, RAMPS Logistics
• Mr. Andrew Mendonza, Baker Hughes
• Mr. Fitzroy McLeod, NAMILCO

Members of the Executive are as follows: Mr. Zulfikar Ally as Chairman; Mr. Clairmont Cummings as First Vice Chair; Mr. Justin Nedd as Second Vice Chair; Ms. Liz Wyatt as Third Vice Chair; Mr. Fitzroy McLeod as Treasurer; Mr. Devindra Kissoon as General Counsel; and Ms. Yolander Persaud as Company Secretary.

First Vice Chair, Mr. Clairmont Cummings Founder/ Managing Director of Corum Group expressed that “AmCham Guyana has a diverse and vibrant team comprising representatives across the corporate spectrum – ranging from global giants, medium sized firms, and local firms/ regional conglomerates”. He encouraged members of the business community to become involved in the chamber and echoed the Chairman of the organization’s sentiments that “the chamber will provide a platform for business, resource, and advocacy support; as well as a medium for community involvement and social corporate responsibility”.

AmCham Guyana is a private sector association of U.S. enterprises and individuals doing business in Guyana as well as firms and business executives in Guyana who operate in the United States. The purpose of AmCham is to promote America –Guyana bilateral trade opportunities and activities; to improve market access for America-Guyana goods and services; to provide an economic, social and policy platform for its members, to encourage networking and build valuable business connections; and to help promote corporate social responsibility and sustainable development in Guyana. AmCham Guyana’s official launch will be held in August.

Anyone interested in becoming a member can contact the Chamber at: info@amchamguyana.com

Source: Kaieteur News

“Don’t ever feel you’re too small or insignificant in this world to make a difference. If you think you are too small to be effective, you have never been in bed with a mosquito.”

On Thursday afternoon, last, scores of Queen’s College students gathered for their graduation, bringing the curtains down on a part of their life at one of the best schools in the country. And urging them on to greater things was none other than one of the school’s brightest scholars, Devindra Kissoon, who has returned home, establishing the London House Chambers as one of the foremost in the business.

According to Kissoon in his address to the students – in the presence of teachers and parents – he was sacked just six months after he started to work at a law firm in New York.
Emphasising for the students to stay steady and never give up, Kissoon explained that he started his first job at Cozen O’Connor in New York in 2002.

“I was surrounded by unknowns; there was an error within six months at my job – relying on a secretary to do something for me which she didn’t do properly – and ultimately I was held responsible. My managing partner fired me, giving me two weeks’ notice.”

The lawyer recounted that it was agony being fired from one of the best law firms in the US, and that the odds were stacked against him. But he was determined to overcome it all. “It was a situation where I had never seen a skyscraper or interacted on such a sophisticated landscape. I looked different, I spoke differently, my culture was different, and my knowledge base was woefully lacking. But I summoned up the courage the next week to go and see the managing partner – waiting on him day after day until I found him in the bathroom and apologized for my mistake… and asked for forgiveness and to be restored.” The lawyer said that the man softened. And “…that very partner made me a partner six years later. Don’t ever feel you are too small or insignificant in this world to make a difference. If you think you are too small to be effective, you have never been in bed with a mosquito,” he told the students.

He stressed that a graduate from Queens College is no ordinary thing.
“Hailing from Linden, I had very little idea of the greatness of Queen’s College. Upon my arrival I quickly realized that I was outclassed by brilliance which far surpassed anything I had experienced. Students seemingly effortlessly excelled at examinations without studying, instead focusing on athletics, poetry, debating, chess, craft and whole host of activities I had never imagined existed.

“This competition placed tremendous pressure for me to try to excel. Little did I realize that this positive peer pressure would result in all of us being well prepared for a work life balance which has endured up until today.”

He told the students that graduates of Queens College have excelled both here and abroad, and they now have the privilege of joining the ranks of Guyana’s elite including former presidents Forbes Burnham, Cheddi Jagan, and the current president David Granger.
“Also coming from Queens College were former attorneys general, judges, sportsmen including Roger Harper, poets and historians of the likes of Dr. Walter Rodney. You have the privilege of the backing of the most accomplished secondary school in the Caribbean. You will have at your fingertips Guyana’s finest men and women at home and abroad, and I can assure, every Queen’s College graduate will help another where they can. And once you announce your alma mater, in most instances, you will be treated with respect and dignity.”

The lawyer boasted that “QC runs things in Guyana”. However, he cautioned that with this great lineage comes great responsibility. “I charge each and every one of you with the task of keeping our crest flying high. Above all, be honest and have integrity. In an ever-changing word, a person’s word is still his bond, and the word of a QC graduate is golden. Be diligent and punctual. The standards you have grown accustomed to here must not be diluted with the passage of time. As you grow, also give back, you never knew how a simple gesture can change the life of a Queen’s College student.”

He said that despite living out of Guyana for more than 20 years, his best friendships are QC classmates. “And my darling wife, who is here today, was also my class mate, also from H house.”

He warned too of mediocrity. “Mediocrity does not mean failure. You are allowed to fail as many times as it take you to learn from that failure. Don’t compare yourself with others. We all come from different backgrounds. Some of you will be going away to study, some will be staying right here at UG, and others may be looking for a job. Everyone will have a different opportunity. Do not feel greater or lesser than your peers. I promise you no matter what opportunity you are afforded, each and every one of you have the makings to be someone great.”

He also urged the students to stay in Guyana and help it grow. “In closing, only a lack of education can hold you back, and today you’ve cleared that bar; and you’ve done it at one of country’s finest institutions. I assure you that when you look back, some of the best years of your lives would have been spent here at Queen’s College. However, this is just the beginning of your journey. It’s now time for you to work harder than ever, take risks, have a goal and have a plan. And never stop studying.”

Kissoon started Queen’s at the tender age of 9 having placed in the top 10 at the Common Entrance Examinations. A member of H house, and a keen member of the QC chess club, he became the first student at Queen’s College (and in Guyana) to top the CXC examinations in 1993, being awarded the Berger Prize. He was an avid contributor to the Lictor and a regular member of the debating team. He graduated from Queens College in 1995 and was awarded a scholarship from Government.

Source: News Room

In a turn of events as exciting as the World Cup itself, the Chief Justice of Jamaica Mr. Justice B. Sykes has granted E-Networks the rights to broadcast the FIFA games.

In proceedings commenced in Jamaica, the Chief Justice issued an injunction against the St. Lucian based owners of regional sports broadcasting network SportsMax, International Media Content Ltd.,  (i) restraining it for 28 days from terminating a carriage Agreement entered into between E-Networks Inc. and IMC, whereby IMC granted E-Networks Inc. the exclusive cable television rights to broadcast the FIFA world cup, and (ii) ordering IMC to commence provision of the feed to the SportsMax World Cup Channel to E-Networks for 28 days.

The rights to broadcast the FIFA World Cup are held by DIRECTV which issued a memorandum advising that only IMC, in addition to it, could grant exclusive rights to authorize cable broadcasts of the World Cup in Guyana.

E-Networks paid IMC substantial sums to secure the exclusive cable broadcast rights of the World Cup from IMC, only to be told a few days before the scheduled broadcast that IMC may no longer honour its agreement with E-Networks.

After it became apparent that IMC would not give E-Networks access to the world cup feed, E-Networks immediately sought the intervention of the court to prevent IMC from breaching its contracts, resulting in the Court’s order.

E-Networks is represented by  Daniella Silvera, Kathryn Williams and Lisa Williams of Livingston, Alexander & Levy in Jamaica, and is lead locally by Devindra Kissoon and Edward Luckhoo S.C.

See court order here: https://newsroom.gy/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/FORMAL-ORDER.pdf

Source: News Room

The Rotary Club of Georgetown on Friday evening installed its new Board of Directors. The fairly young board, headed by Harrinand Persaud, was officially introduced and announced at an official ceremony at the Rotary Installation Dinner held at the Pegasus Hotel, Georgetown.

With promises to do more for communities across the country and increasing the club’s contributors, the newly elected President told those gathered that he is ready to take up the challenge.

“I am aware that the responsibility to lead this club is no easy task as I have great footsteps to follow. I always welcome a good challenge and an opportunity to grow, and it is my belief that we can continue to build on the solid foundation by combining our passion, altruism, skillset and vocation,” Persaud said.

With over one million members worldwide, through voluntary contributions, Rotary helps to fight various causes in communities and contributes to developing countries.

Under its new slogan: “Rotary- People of Action,” the President committed to working on projects which can be sustained.

“We have to continue to provide clean water, dig wells and distribute water to communities that otherwise would have to depend on rivers and rainfall,” he urged the new board.

The other elected members are: Alvina Rambarran as Vice President, Amanda Persaud as Secretary, Arron Fraser as Treasurer, Natasha Vieira as Club Administrator, Ariane Mangar to oversee projects, Devindra Kissoon as Sergeant-at-arms and Macaela Cameron as Public Relations Director.

Roger Harper, Natasha Backer and Luana Falconner were re-elected to their previous posts of Rotary Foundation, New Generations and Assistant District Governor, respectively.

Other members are Peter Peroune, Ramon Singh – Membership, and District Government- Dominique Venere.

Past President of the Club, Clyde De Haas in his address outlined several projects completed under his tenure, including the completion and launch of the Linden toy library which provides a clean space for children to play and relax, distribution of 50 maternity care hampers and a fun day for children at the Convalescence home among others.

Friday night’s event was also used to award several Rotarians who would have worked tirelessly to make the club’s projects successful over the years.

The club also helped flood-affected communities in Region Seven and Eight with food items and donated close to two containers of flood relief to the CDC to be shipped to Dominica after the devastating hurricane.