Deep-water Port key to unlocking Guyana’s shipping, manufacturing and food potential – PSC Chairman

Chairman of the Private Sector Commission (PSC), Captain Gerald Gouveia Jr., says the construction of a deep-water port remains one of the most critical national projects needed to fully unlock Guyana’s future in logistics, manufacturing, agriculture, and regional trade.

Speaking during a recent episode of the Starting Point podcast, Gouveia said the local business community is actively responding to President Irfaan Ali’s call to innovate, collaborate, and build new economic “empires” as Guyana undergoes unprecedented transformation.
Gouveia noted that Guyana’s rapid transition from oil exploration to production—completed in just five years compared to the decades it takes most countries—has forced the private sector to expand its capabilities and embrace strategic international partnerships. This has allowed businesses to scale operations in areas such as technology, logistics, data services, specialised equipment handling, hazardous materials transport, warehousing, and accommodation. He added that the PSC is now finalising recommendations for expanding the Local Content Act, which will soon be formally submitted to government.

Competition to collaboration
Responding to the President’s repeated call for cultural change within the business community, Gouveia said Guyanese companies are increasingly shifting from a “crab in a barrel” mentality toward collaboration. He explained that prior to 2020, Guyana’s smaller economy forced businesses to compete for limited opportunities. Today, however, the “pie is bigger,” and companies have realised that collectively they can secure larger contracts, especially in the high-demand oil and gas sector.
He cited the national soya and corn project—driven by a consortium of agricultural players—as a powerful example of Guyanese companies joining forces to build new industries. The PSC, he said, has established a formal consortium framework and has already created eight mini-consortiums across tourism, housing, shipping, and construction. These groupings allow medium-sized businesses to match the scale, expertise, and capital of incoming international companies.
Turning to the shipping industry, Gouveia said the private sector’s number-one request is pace in the development of the deep-water port, which he described as a “force multiplier” for Guyana’s economy. The port, when combined with the highway link to northern Brazil, would give Brazil direct access to the Atlantic through Guyana; position Guyana as the logistics hub of the Caribbean and northern South America; eliminate the need for transshipment through Trinidad or Jamaica; reduce shipping time and cost; support large-scale manufacturing once gas-to-shore power reduces electricity costs; and provide reliable export routes for Guyana’s expanding agriculture and agro-processing sectors.
He said that everyone is paying attention to the harbour, especially how it links to the Brazil road, because once both come online, the possibilities become limitless.
“You’ve heard also that the president is talking about boosting the agriculture sector. When we start to really get into the agro-processing and the agriculture sector, we need an outlet that we can’t have sitting on the wharf in Trinidad for weeks going to UK or going to the US or so on. So this now gives us the ability to really take advantage of Guyana’s true potential,” the Chairman said.
As PSC Chairman, Gouveia said his focus is to cultivate unity, expand Guyanese participation in major industries, and ensure the business community is equipped to partner with international investors on equal footing. He said the commission will continue pushing collaboration, building consortiums, supporting innovation, and advocating for policies that expand opportunities for Guyanese companies.
“This is Guyana’s moment,” Gouveia said. “Together, we can build industries and empires that will last for generations.”