GMSA hosts 1st GuyExpo feature with launch of local consortium, Barama re-certification

The Guyana Manufacturing & Services Association (GMSA) proudly hosted its first official presentation at GuyExpo 2025, highlighting the organisation’s leadership in strengthening local supply chains and showcasing excellence across the agriculture, forestry, and construction sectors. This year’s feature presentation spotlighted two major milestones: the official launch of the AHS Group, a newly formed housing consortium, and the re-certification of Barama Company Ltd under the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) “Made in Guyana” mark. According to the GMSA, throughout the event, speakers underscored key themes of collaboration, innovation and sector-wide growth. President of the GMSA, Rafeek Khan, highlighted the significance of international companies joining the GMSA pavilion this year, noting their presence demonstrates global interest in Guyana’s manufacturing and services sectors.

Local consortium
The AHS Group brings together three distinguished local companies: MEP Engineering Services Inc., Correia & Correia Ltd, and Durable Wood Products, in a powerful partnership aimed at transforming Guyana’s residential construction landscape.
At the heart of the initiative is the Sebrex System, an advanced, factory-engineered, panelised modular housing solution. This innovation enables the rapid construction of affordable housing with speed, precision, and predictable cost, while maintaining high standards of quality, safety, and sustainability.
Through this partnership, AHS Group aims to strengthen local supply chains, expand job creation, and promote sustainable development aligned with the Government of Guyana’s vision for modernised and inclusive housing solutions.
Representing AHS Group, Dr Natasha Gaskin-Peters emphasised the consortium’s alignment with the Government of Guyana’s call for greater collaboration among local companies. She encouraged local businesses to move away from isolated operations and instead embrace strategic partnerships as a pathway to growth and global competitiveness.
Commissioner of Forests of the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC), Edward Goberdhan, praised the use of local wood species, noting the significant opportunities this creates in employment and upstream economic activity. He acknowledged the challenges within the value-added sub-sector but expressed optimism about the consortium and Barama Company Limited’s work. A live demonstration is currently featured at GuyExpo 2025, where visitors can explore a fully constructed modular home located next to the GMSA Pavilion. Guests will experience first-hand how this innovation is redefining construction possibilities in Guyana.

Re-certification of Made in Guyana mark
During the event, GMSA and the GNBS recognised Barama Company Ltd, a longstanding leader in the forestry sector, with the official re-certification of its “Made in Guyana” mark. Barama was the first company within the timber industry to be granted rights by the GNBS to use the Approved “Made in Guyana” Mark on its Tropical Hardwood Plywood, including regular, grooved, and water-resistant types, on October 12, 2022. General Manager (GM) of Barama Company Ltd, Mohindra Chand, commended the GNBS for its professionalism and noted that over the past three years, Barama invested more than one billion dollars, resulting in a 70 per cent increase in production, growth in employment and expanded capacity. Chand reaffirmed Barama’s commitment to developing new products for the local and international markets while encouraging other wood manufacturers to pursue the certification.
Executive Director of GNBS, Trevor Bassoo, reminded the audience that it’s not merely a mark, but the certification represents a set of criteria met by only about 60 companies nationwide. Bassoo highlighted the GNBS’s future plans to expand the reach of the “Made in Guyana” mark beyond Guyana’s borders.
The re-certification reaffirms Barama’s commitment to quality, responsible manufacturing, and supporting a strong, competitive local forestry industry.

Delivering the keynote address, Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Hon. Susan Rodrigues reaffirmed Government’s commitment to fostering investment, supporting product development and strengthening collaboration with the private sector. Minister Rodrigues stated that the Government remains accessible and responsive, continually working alongside industry to find solutions and create an enabling environment for sustainable growth. In addition to Barama & AHS Group’s accomplishments, two other companies formed an alliance in bringing together technology for plant tissue production for both agriculture and ornamental plants. These companies showcased and presented a shade house in the backyard for homeowners to produce and deliver to their kitchen. The event concluded with the official handover of the “Made in Guyana” Certificate to Barama Company Ltd, a ceremonial ribbon cutting for the AHS Group’s modular home and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Modern Agri (Guyana) and Invitroplants Grassalco NV (Suriname). The MOU sets the stage for joint work in plant tissue culture, biotechnology, and agricultural development that aims to benefit both sides of the border.