The Centre for Local Business Development (CLBD) announced on Monday that it brought in economic diversification expert, Dr. Zainab Usman, to discuss the importance of economic diversification and her discussion paper Beyond Revenue Management: Principles for an Oil-Led Development Strategy in the 21st Century.
Dr. Usman is a respected author and expert in energy and economic policy, and serves as Director of the Africa Programme at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Washington, D.C.
She is scheduled to have talks with the local business community on Tuesday, March 8 and a meeting with students of the University of Guyana on Wednesday, March 9. These are to include presentations on her discussion paper, and segments for questions and answers.
She is also expected to meet with some government representatives and members of the diplomatic corps, CLBD said in a release.
“Every economy and country is different,” Dr. Usman said during a Monday morning event. “What I hope my visit and discourse in Guyana will bring is highlighting my experience in studying similar countries as they have gone through this transition to help Guyana to continue to shape its way forward. I look forward to my engagements with the business community, students, scholars and more.”
Director at the Centre, Dr. Natasha Gaskin-Peters said “Dr. Usman has built a career on understanding and mapping out the importance of economic diversification in resource rich economies.”
Dr. Zainab’s presence in Guyana is thanks to the Centre’s Join the Conversation Speaker Series. The Centre brings in renowned energy experts for their unique perspectives on the development of the oil and gas industry in Guyana.
“The Join the Conversation Speaker Series is an exciting way for local businesses and young Guyanese to learn from world experts in the field, as Guyana continues to build its oil and non-oil economy.” Gaskin-Peters said.
