Brits ‘excited’ about Guyana’s Agri. Sector, shore base development
- MoUs could be signed soon as largest business delegation meets with high-ranking officials
Eager to tap into Guyana’s vast investment potential, the visiting British Trade Mission delegation expects to ink concrete agreements with the government and the local private sector as high interest is already seen in the development of shore base port facilities and the agriculture sector.
The “excitement” was shared by the Managing Director of the Caribbean Council, Chris Bennett, the head of the 15-member delegation, on Tuesday evening during a networking reception at the home of the British High Commissioner, Jane Miller.
Bennett shared that though the team has only been in Guyana for two days, the investment prospects they have been privy to shows much potential and can spark a “beautiful partnership.”
“Some of the sectors like road developments- that is exciting. We are also looking at some of the exciting export potential growth areas in agriculture. We are looking at the development ports; we have companies who have got real expertise in growing those ports, helping make them more efficient and able to handle more cargo,” he said.
Bennett added that the Trade Delegation is also equally interested in the government’s Wales Development Zone and the billion-dollar Gas-to-Shore project.
Already talks have been held with the Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill and the Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance Dr. Ashni Singh, along with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Office for Investment and the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI).
Over the next three days, the Caribbean Council Managing Director said that they will be engaging directly with businesses.
“This is to work out what partnerships we can work on, to make sure that we have got really good strong partnerships here in Guyana, to be able to deliver growth and opportunity and prosperity for the country,” Bennett said.
Though no concrete agreements have been made since the team is in the early stages of the visit, he remains confident that by the “end of the week” those will be done.
“I think all of the companies here, we are very excited by what they have seen. And we had a much longer list of companies who wanted to come but because of COVID, they could not but as things get better and easier to travel, we will be back with a bigger delegation, and hopefully more projects,” he said.
And with Guyana being “absolutely without a doubt open for foreign investment”, President Irfaan Ali encouraged the Trade Delegation to think big with their projects as government creates the environment for “balanced development”.
“We are rich in the future. We are freshwater rich. We have natural markets in CARICOM that you can invest and get preferential treatment. We are very open and one of the very few countries that are so open with the opportunities laid on the table,” the Head of State remarked.
And now with Guyana’s massive growth trajectory, the President underscored the need for action and not more “gyaff sessions.”
“So, I want to welcome you. I want to thank you for your interest in Guyana. I want to assure you of our seriousness in creating an environment for partnership and networking.
“Let me assure you that we have in this country some amazing ideas, project documents and project proposals and this is the era to bring accessibility to needed resources to make those projects now,” President Ali stated.
The Trade Delegation comprises British companies ranging from education, manufacturing and infrastructure and include Concrete Canvas, DAR, Grove Group, One True Maverick Vodka, Nectar Group, Signature LLP and Woollard and Henry.
