American Chamber of Commerce to boost Guyana/US trade relations – Chairman

By Vahnu Manikchand

Having recognised the increased interest in this country, especially since the discovery of oil offshore Guyana, a group of stakeholder companies have come together to form the American Chamber of Commerce-Guyana with the aim of enhancing trade and investment relations between Guyana and the United States, because they recognise the need for establishment of a Chamber of Commerce in this regard.
Days after US Ambassador Perry Holloway had announced that the first ever American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) is operational, Guyana Times sat down with its Chairman, Zulifcar Ally, to learn more about the organisation.
“It was a collective. We sat and discussed what are the pros and cons of setting up a Chamber in Guyana, and we felt that it was really needed,” Ally told this publication.
AmCham offers businesses and entrepreneurs the opportunity to network, make new contacts, and transfer knowledge. It will also provide a platform for business, resource and advocacy support, as well as a medium for community involvement and social corporate responsibility.
Ally explained that the Chamber is open to both local and US companies. In fact, he noted that even the chamber’s board is currently comprised of a dynamic mix of both.
“Currently we have 16 members on the Board of Directors – companies ranging from ExxonMobil, Hess Corporation, Queens Atlantic Investment Inc, Corum Group, and we have some regional companies like Massy and Republic Bank Limited. There are also local companies like Red Entertainment and Nabi & Sons; and also Sol Guyana, who is currently part of the executive of the American Chamber of Commerce,” he stated.
The other executive members are: GT&T; London House Chamber; National Milling Company (NAMILCO); Guyana Mariott; Ramps Logistics; MACORP, and Baker Hughes.
With the American Chamber of Commerce existing in over 160 countries around the world, most of the companies that have joined and are interested in joining the Guyana branch are already members in other countries.
AmCham is expected to address many of the bottlenecks that hinder effective trade relations between Guyana and the US. In fact, Ally noted that the Chamber will bring the expertise and have materials at hand to advice and guide members on ways to meet international standards via efficient and effective means.
Moreover, the Chairman explained that the Chamber would also look to enhance and promote trade relations between the two countries.
“We would like to create new opportunities and improve market access for (Guyanese) and American goods and services; it’s not one way, it’s both ways. We want to provide also an economic, social and policy platform for our members to come and to share ideas. A lot of networking would be involved between our members, both local and international, to see where there are avenues to create more business linkages as well. So it’s a great place to do networking, to meet investors, to grow your company, to grow your business, and to create opportunities and linkages as well,” Ally posited.
He went on to say that, once operationalised following its August 13 launch, the Chamber would not only focus on building its member base, but also encourage and promote local small and start-up businesses and their products.
“What these small companies can get from the chamber are contacts, partnership with other members who are doing the same thing; and there’ll be companies who’re coming looking to invest, so we will put them onto those persons who are here looking for investments in Guyana, for trade etc. So it’s a way of also promoting your business, getting access to markets that you would not have gotten – this is what the chamber would provide,” he stated.
Further, Ally said the Chamber is in the process of formulating its work plan, which would include initiatives such as forums to help members enhance their marketing strategies and promote their products and services.
“We would be inviting experts in various fields, not only in oil and gas, but in every sector in which trade occurs – to see how we can grow what’s here in Guyana, how best (we) can help small and medium size businesses to meet the standards that are required for them to grow their businesses. That would be one of our primary focus, that would see that executed as the Chamber moves along in the future,” the Chairman outlined.
Companies interested in joining the American Chamber of Commerce-Guyana can make contact with Ally, Clairmont Cummings from Corum Group, from the Marriott Hotel, or any of the execute companies on the Board.