Int’l Energy Conference & Expo 2nd edition opens today with 1200 participants

– PM Rowley, Gonsalves & fmr Columbian President to address gathering
– other Heads of State to make virtual appearance

The Guyana Energy Conference, which is slated to kick off today, February 14, will see the attendance of over 1200 people including high-profile guests such as Trinidadian Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley and St Vincent and the Grenadines Head of State, Dr Ralph Gonsalves.

On Monday, the organisers of the Guyana Energy Conference held a press briefing just one day before the event. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Kurt Baboolall revealed some of the big names to attend, including current and former Heads of State. Baboolall also gave a breakdown of the over 1200 attendees expected for the conference.
“We have, for the first time, Prime Minister Keith Rowley. We also have Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves. Our Excellency (President Dr Irfaan Ali). And we also have spoken, the ex-President of Columbia, Ivan Duque,” Baboolall said.
“So far in total, we have over 1200 participants, which include exhibitors, sponsors, speakers, and our delegations. We have approximately 200 exhibitors, 30 sponsors, and just over 800 delegates, the CEO added.
In addition to the expected signing of agreements, there will also be a session dedicated to young professionals. Baboolall explained what this session will entail. He also explained that the exhibition tickets are being sold at GY$5000.
“Something different, we did this year, we have a young professionals forum or session which runs from 9 to 12. And the purpose of that session is to give young professionals who are both entrepreneurial and career-minded, an opportunity to have an overview of the energy sector and it will also be a networking event.”
“They will have an opportunity to walk with their proposals, and their CVs and gain great insight into what’s happening in the energy sector. From announcing it last week to now, the numbers are currently at 350 registrants for that particular day.”
The conference will run from Tuesday, which will feature the opening ceremony and presentations from the most high-profile guests, until Friday, February 17. The final day will see a youth engagement forum being held.

Invited speakers, young professionals and Government agencies will come together and discuss opportunities as well as specific challenges that exist for youth. Presentations will be centred around management skills, entrepreneurship, mentorship and energy sector skills development.
Following the main session, participants at the youth engagement forum will be provided with opportunities to learn from and engage with leading experts in these areas, while being allowed to ask questions and network.
The International Energy Conference and Expo Guyana 2023 continues to garner support, both locally and internationally. The conference and expo has already received endorsements from a range of public figures including Minister of Natural Resources Vickram Bharrat.
This year, the conference and expo is being hosted under the theme “Harnessing Energy for Development” and is expected to assemble Heads of State and Government, Government officials, policymakers, academics, industry professionals, and global energy thought leaders.

In line with the goals and objectives of the Local Content Policy, it is anticipated that the conference and expo will promote Guyana as an oil and gas investment destination, establish and strengthen productive industry relationships, and offer a platform for local businesses to access collateral and joint ventures.
The last time the conference and expo was held, it was able to attract over 30 sponsors and 150 exhibitors. This year, the conference will have more delegates, sponsors, and exhibitors. In the short to medium term, the conference plans to promote its portfolio of spinoff oil and gas assets in addition to national infrastructure projects.