AmCham Guyana’s inaugural US trade mission opens doors to business partnerships, market access

In a landmark move to deepen commercial ties and unlock new business opportunities, the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) Guyana, led its first-ever outbound trade mission to Miami, Florida, from May 11–15, 2025, bringing more than 20 Guyanese business representatives into direct contact with influential U.S. stakeholders across the energy, logistics, finance, and trade infrastructure sectors.

Organized in collaboration with the South Florida District Export Council and the U.S. Commercial Service (U.S. Department of Commerce), the delegation was spearheaded by AmCham Guyana Executive Director Richard Leo and Project Coordinator Tandi Rampersaud.
“This inaugural trade mission is a major milestone for AmCham Guyana, and reflects our strong commitment to building lasting commercial ties between Guyana and the United States,” said Leo. “We’re confident the relationships formed and insights gained will deliver real value to our members and the wider economy.”
The Guyanese delegation, which included firms such as CCA Guyana, Mid-Atlantic Oil and Gas, RAMPS Logistics Guyana, ACH Inc., and Guyana Electric, participated in the U.S.-Caribbean Business Conference 2025, toured PortMiami and Port Everglades, and held targeted business-to-business (B2B) matchmaking sessions.
At Port Everglades, delegates engaged with Senior Business Development Manager, Robert Barceló for an inside look at trade infrastructure and port operations. Meanwhile, at PortMiami, they were hosted by Eric Olafson, Director of Global Trade and Business Development, and Eric Borrazas, Cargo Development Manager, with a tour that included the Virgin Cruise Terminal and key logistics zones utilized by Royal Caribbean and MSC.
The group also visited Helm Bank USA, where President & CEO Mark Anthony Crisp and senior executives outlined banking solutions for international clients, including support for real estate investment and cross-border transactions. Helm Bank is a longstanding member of AmCham Guyana and an ally in supporting Guyanese firms seeking to expand in the U.S. market.
During a high-level panel discussion at the business conference, Executive Director Richard Leo presented an overview of recent legislative reforms in Guyana aimed at improving the ease of doing business. He highlighted growing opportunities beyond oil and gas: in manufacturing, agriculture, logistics, and finance, and emphasized the U.S.-Guyana bilateral trade relationship as a cornerstone of regional economic growth.
“We have a mutual opportunity to not just build businesses, but to strengthen strategic partnerships that uplift both economies,” Leo told participants from across the Americas.
A key highlight of the mission was a private roundtable discussion at Florida International University’s Adam Smith Center for Economic Freedom, co-hosted by AmCham Guyana and ACE Consulting Group. Moderated by Senior Advisor Wazim Mowla, the session featured candid exchanges between U.S. and Guyanese business leaders, with input from CitiBank, Tropical Shipping, and the International Trade Consortium of Miami-Dade County.
The roundtable focused on identifying investment-ready sectors in Guyana, and examining how Guyanese firms can navigate U.S. market entry and scale their presence internationally.
With Guyana’s economy expanding rapidly and U.S. firms increasingly seeking strategic partnerships in the region, AmCham Guyana’s trade mission signals a new chapter of business diplomacy and cross-border collaboration.
AmCham has promised to continue supporting Guyanese businesses by providing trade facilitation, access to market intelligence, and partnership-building platforms.
“This is only the beginning,” said Leo. “The foundation laid in Miami will unlock new opportunities and investments that benefit not just the private sector, but Guyana’s national development trajectory.”