The Berbice Chamber of Commerce and Development Association (BCCDA) which is one of the oldest Chambers in the country having been in existence since 1932, elected a new Executive Committee to charter the affairs of the Chamber for the Years 2011/2012. The occasion was the Annual General Meeting at the Chamber office at 12 Chapel Street, New Amsterdam.
Republic Bank New Amsterdam Branch Manager, Imran Saccoor, was unanimously elected to serve as President replacing long-serving member Gyandat Marray who will now serve as Secretary.
The others elected to serve are Shri Khirodhar, Senior Vice President;. Mark Roopnarine, -Junior Vice President; Joel Mc Pherson, Treasurer; Angilla Sattaur – Assistant Secretary/Treasurer; and Anil Beharry, Public Relations Officer.
Also representatives of 15 business entities were elected to serve on the Council which includes Commercial Banks, Insurance Companies, Beverage Companies and several other private sector organizations.
The former President Gyandat Marray, in his outgoing speech, thanked members for their support over the years which he stated has seen the chamber grow from strength to strength.
He stated that the Chamber has been serving the business community for over seven decades (79 years) and during that time has garnered much support from all stakeholders. He called on members to continue to work in partnership with all stakeholders so that the organization can realize its dreams of serving the community and people at large.
New President Imran Saccoor, in his acceptance speech, thanked the members for showing faith in him and electing him to such a prestigious position.
He said that much more involvement is required from the business community to ensure that the Chamber goals are achieved and he called upon members for their continued support during his tenure as the President.
He extended an invitation to past members to return to support the Chamber and its activities and encouraged all his members to play their role from an individual and company perspective to see development of the town and its environs.
The Berbice Chamber of Commerce has planned a number of activities for the next year that should touch all sectors of the community. These would include social, economic, cultural and Sports.
The Chamber will continue to foster good working relationships with the New Amsterdam Town Council, The Regional Administration, NDCs, NGOs and other Chambers, with the ultimate aim to benefit the Citizens of the community and Guyana as whole.