DaSilva satisfied with New Amsterdam Town Day plans
MINISTER of Trade, Tourism and Industry, Mr Geoffrey DaSilva said Wednesday he is satisfied with the progress being made by all parties involved in staging `New Amsterdam Town Day 2000 Massive'.
Speaking at a Press briefing in the Town Hall, he said the occasion will open the possibilities for tourism and the setting up of industries in Berbice. One of the most valuable resources in the area that will be a main feature is the high level of skills training youths acquire from Guysuco Training Complex at Port Mourant, Corentyne
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Those to be showcased on the Town Day will be required when industries are established in Berbice, the Minister pointed out. Mayor of New Amsterdam, Mr Errol Alphonso, who also spoke to the media, said the theme `New Amsterdam Town Day 2000 Massive' will fulfill what people expect to see. "Historically and traditionally, New Amsterdam is known to be a venue for mass public events," he stated.
Alphonso said Mashramani is one of the events which indicate how well the public responds to such big occasions. "New Amsterdam is a plural society. It is multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and multi-religious and, whenever there are public events, you see a representation of all the people from the entire county celebrating, incident free," he asserted.
Alphonso announced that a troupe from Suriname, which performed here before, has accepted an invitation to do a cultural presentation and there should be no difficulty with them visiting, despite the extant border problem. "We have invited them to come at a people to people level. Apart from what is happening at the Government to Government level, I feel that, at the people to people level, we can take initiatives to assist in the general process of good neighbourliness, to mutual advantage and respect," he posited.
Berbice Chamber of Commerce and Development Association (BCCDA)
President, Mr Ramdial Bhookmohan, sharing the same forum, said all the Chambers of Commerce countrywide and many businesses have been informed about the Town Day and their participation is expected.
Work is in progress to ensure that suitable parking facilities are available and BCCDA is collaborating with the Police to ensure adequate security arrangements are in place, especially for those people who will be visiting the township.
Saturday, October 28 will be the official Town Day but it will be ushered in by many activities the day before, GIS explained.
The agency said the Town Day is an initiative of BCCDA in collaboration with New Amsterdam Town Council but it has gained support from the Ministry of Trade, Tourism and Industry and the Region Six (East Berbice/Corentyne) Administration. GIS said the lighting up of Main Street in the town will enhance the atmosphere for the festivity and BCCDA has already handed over 18 street lamps to Guyana Power and Light Inc (GPL) for commissioning Friday, October 13. The Town Day Secretariat disclosed that, so far, 38 businesses have shown interest in participating, 14 from the `Ancient County'.
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