Minister Bharrat – Plans to set up Local Content Secretariat moving apace

The way has been paved for the establishment of a Local Content Secretariat, which the PPP/C
Government said will effectively monitor and oversee the local content framework, thanks to the
landmark passage of the Local Content Bill 21 of 2021.
Natural Resources Minister, Vickram Bharrat, disclosed that while the process to establish the
administrative body is at the implementation stage, works are moving apace. “We are putting
together the register, the format, the guidelines and we are looking too, at staffing for the
secretariat. We are looking at maybe in another week or two, we can actually start registering
companies,” Bharrat said.
The minister disclosed that the register will include Guyanese for employment and Guyanese
nationals and companies from which goods and services may be procured. He pointed out that
there are 40 services laid out in the Bill, which oil companies and sub-contractors must procure
from Guyanese and companies locally.
The natural resource minister stressed that Government’s intention is to allow local companies
and citizens to apply for and be issued with a certificate of registration, which will be granted
annually by the Secretariat. This strategy, Minister Bharrat explains ensures citizens benefit from
economic growth and capacity building, among other noteworthy development opportunities.
Bharrat noted that the secretariat will have a minimum of 10 staff members, given the magnitude
of the work. He said that it will consist of a director and other members, appointed by the subject
minister. “We must have minimum 10 persons to work in the secretariat, because as you realised
it’s a lot of work, going through the plans and monitoring. We are looking at capacity
development,” he said.
He added, “It would require some technical staff to ensure the implementation is done in keeping
with the legislation.”
The minister noted further that companies are currently preparing their masterplan in accordance
with the four-month period stated in the legislation. “There is a four-month period for them to do
so. We would start monitoring within a six-month period and then those targets in the schedule
are for December 2022,” Bharrat explained.
The minster revealed that the administrative office will develop and maintain measures for the
effective implementation of local content by contractors, sub-contractors and licencees; develop
and implement strategies that will give preference to or ensure equal treatment of citizens and
Guyanese companies. Additionally, he said the body will conduct market analysis; develop
guidelines and formats for local content plans and reporting; procurement, training, among other
prominent areas within the sector.