Several Guyanese companies are working together to create ready-for-export timber houses that are built primarily from local products.
Rafeek Khan, the Head of DuraVilla Homes- the company selling these houses – says that the local partnerships are key in allowing Guyanese businesses to benefit from emerging opportunities in the growing manufacturing sector.
“It increases the possibility of more manufacturing in Guyana,” Khan, who is also the President of the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA), told the News Room on Friday.
For this one product, various companies are producing the requisite components be it the doors, window fittings, flooring, ceiling or the timber.
“One company cannot do this alone.
“We need consortiums, we need companies within the construction industry to bring their capacity, strengths to meet the growing demand,” Khan emphasised.
And Khan believes that with this house built in a factory, it would eliminate wastages in the field, reduce the arduous conditions builders may have to work in and potentially, save consumers money.
A model timber house is on display at the Umana Yana complex in Kingston, Georgetown. Khan said the intention is to get locals and foreigners interested in timber houses produced in Guyana.
This modular house has been an initiative pursued by DuraVilla homes for more than a decade. Khan noted that there has not been much interest in the model house locally compared to the regional and international demand.
He, however, acknowledged that this demand may be changing.
In the local setting, he said that the ongoing housing/ construction drive could potentially see more of these houses being bought.
Beyond the local setting, Khan also noted that the house is being pitched to hurricane-prone Caribbean countries as a feasible solution to their woes.
These houses are built beforehand and would simply need to be assembled at their destination. President Dr. Irfaan Ali first publicly floated the idea of exporting these ready-made houses to Caribbean states- particularly those affected by hurricanes.
While delivering the feature address at the Barama Company’s anniversary celebrations in September 2021, the President also highlighted that one of his government’s plans is to create 1,000 model houses in the new city that is being developed.
