Infrastructure push will transform Guyana’s logistics network – GAICO CEO

The Government’s ongoing investments in roads, ports, airports, and other infrastructure projects will play a key role in strengthening Guyana’s logistics network and supporting economic growth, according to Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GAICO Construction and General Services Inc, Komal Singh.
Singh said major projects such as the planned deep-water port in Berbice, improved road links and a possible rail connection between Berbice and Georgetown will significantly enhance the movement of people and goods across Guyana and the wider region.
Speaking during a recent episode of The Guyana Dialogue programme, the Private Sector official pointed to the importance of connecting the country’s hinterland and neighbouring Brazil to new transport corridors.
He highlighted the proposed road link from Lethem to Georgetown and Berbice, noting that the development would support increased cargo movement from northern Brazil and provide greater access to maritime transportation through the deep-water port.
“The road from Lethem to Georgetown and connecting into Berbice… Berbice so far has been proven to be the best area for a deep-water port. The deep-water port is so important for all the development that is taking place to help connect mega vessels coming in here and for us moving cargo from here,” Singh explained.
He said a study is currently being conducted to examine options for moving goods and passengers more efficiently between Berbice and Georgetown, including the possibility of a rail system.
“There’s currently a study being done to look at the rail movement from Berbice into Georgetown. That will significantly help moving our people and goods when it comes into Berbice and from Georgetown to go back into Berbice to that deep-water port,” he said.
Singh also pointed to planned infrastructure that would improve connectivity between the West Bank of Demerara and Bartica, including the proposed Goshen Highway and possible bridge links.
“The Goshen Highway, it’s going to go all the way down to the back. There’s a plan to develop a crossing somewhere around the Monkey Jump area to take you into Bartica, and then when you get into Bartica, they’re currently looking at also bridging somewhere around the Tiperu area onto another site,” he said.
The GAICO CEO also referenced investments being made in regional airports and port facilities, including the upgrade of the Parika Stelling, as part of broader efforts to improve transportation links.
According to Singh, a reliable logistics system will be critical as Guyana’s manufacturing sector expands, ensuring locally produced goods can reach regional markets efficiently.
“When our manufacturing sector becomes one that will meet and exceed the need in Guyana, if we don’t have a proper logistics network to move the goods across the region timely, efficiently and in a very economic manner, we will run into a bottleneck,” he said.
He added that improved connectivity would reduce unnecessary transportation costs and allow Guyana to take advantage of its geographic position within the region.
“The importance of all of those infrastructure developments is to set our network in such a way that we don’t need to move goods from Parika all the way to Georgetown to have it shipped back into Trinidad when Parika is closest to Trinidad and some part of the other region,” Singh said.
He stressed that continued infrastructure development will be essential to sustaining Guyana’s economic expansion and improving regional trade opportunities.