The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) is among the local bodies that will be participating in the 56th annual Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in Houston, Texas from May 5 to 8.
The OTC is an annual conference that brings together some of the brightest minds in the energy sector from across the world to share ideas.
The OTC also has an equipment exhibition and offers opportunities to make professional contacts and find new business.
At a press conference on Friday to detail the country’s participation, representatives from the City Chamber urged more local businesses to participate in this event.
Speaking at the GCCI’s office on Waterloo Street, Georgetown, Senior Vice President of the body, Kathy Smith shared that the intention is to expose members to organisations and countries where they can get an understanding of the energy sector that Guyana right now may not be able to provide.
She called on small medium enterprises (SMEs) to make the investment to attend.
“OTC is the organisation that brings all of the bright minds, the leading persons in the energy sector, into one place,” she said, adding, “Every year that we go, members are coming back with partnership deals.”
The response by local businesses to the OTC has been positive, and already, in excess of a dozen companies have registered.
Councillor and Executive Member, Richard Rambarran recalled how in 2018, there was less than a handful of participants; less than 10 companies and 15 individuals showing up. However, he said the body is satisfied now with the level of interest shown by local companies and at the incredible growth.
“Houston is without a doubt the energy capital of the world. To see over 75,000 people passing through there, hundreds of companies just being on the floor exhibiting, booth spaces representing various countries, it has almost become a natural part of our DNA now as a country, a domestic private sector [to attend]” Rambarran expressed.
He announced that any new member of the GCCI from this month to May, who will be attending the OTC, will receive one year free membership.
Senior Petroleum Coordinator at the Ministry of Natural Resources Bobby Gossai pointed out that OTC is more than just a conference, and more than just listening to the technical capabilities of what the offshore industry would be.
“It gives you that opportunity to find a market for yourself. No matter what business you are in, if you are interested in the oil and gas sector, the conference will show you what the world is doing and what you can bring to Guyana.”
The presence of the Guyanese delegation will be to shed light on Guyana’s great potential not just in oil and gas, Senior Director of Investment at Guyana Office for Investment (GOINVEST) John Edghill commented.
“We will display to them our tourism potential, our agriculture potential, our manufacturing potential, our value added forestry, our mining potential,” he said.
