CMC – The Guyana government Monday confirmed that Jamaican companies had responded positively to the country’s request for foreign supplies to export stone to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country even as it acknowledged that the material remains greater than is available.
Public Works Minister, Juan Edghill told the pro-government online publication, News Room that the booming construction sector has resulted in stone and sand suppliers significantly increasing their prices and that the Irfaan Ali government remains committed to engaging suppliers to resolve the issue.
Guyana has been experiencing shortages in cement and stone since last year, largely due to external supply chain challenges and the situation has worsened with the Ukraine/ Russia crisis that is further constraining global supply chain efforts.
Edghill said that suppliers from Canada and other countries were expected to help meet the demand of the government’s construction needs, reducing the pressure placed on the local suppliers and importers.
He warned that business owners who exploit customers may lose business due to their unfair prices.
In February, Edghill said the demand for materials to meet the level of infrastructural work in Guyana had caused stone and sand suppliers to significantly hike the prices.
Guyana has been experiencing a construction boom as the country uses the revenue derived from its newly discovered oil and energy industry.
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