Local Content Secretariat moves to digitise services as oil sector opportunities surge

The Local Content Secretariat is advancing plans to digitise its services in response to expanding opportunities within the oil and gas sector.

According to Head of the Secretariat Michael Munroe, the shift is timely, as an increasing number of Production Sharing Agreements (PSAs) are being signed, driving up demand for locally produced goods and services as required by law.
Speaking during the Business Development Forum organised by the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) last week, Munroe acknowledged the issue businesses face in getting their local content certificates – something which is required for them to participate in the oil and gas sector.
“Persons reach out to me incessantly every day to say, ‘Michael, what’s the situation with my local content certificate? It has been with the Secretariat for a month, two months, sometimes three months, four months’, and I am empathetic to those persons because I don’t want the Secretariat to become a part of the problem that we’re trying to solve,” the Local Content Head recognised.
Without a local content certificate, Guyanese-owned businesses cannot benefit from contracts within the oil and gas sector.
In order to streamline the process of getting that certificate and reducing unnecessary delays, Munroe said the Local Content Secretariat is moving to expand the digitisation of its services.
“I don’t know how many persons have the Local Content App, but we’re looking to see how we could expand through the local content portal as well as the Local Content App to see how we could give persons the ability through these mechanisms to get registered or to submit your application,” he explained.
The Local Content App was launched in February 2025 but it currently does not process applications for Local Content Certificates.
According to Munroe, they are also looking at leveraging artificial intelligence in the process.
“So, for example, given some of these documentations are standardised, for example, at the Deeds and Commercial Registry, most of the forms are standardised. We’re looking to see how once you submit the form through the portal, we’re looking to see how AI could now extract the relevant data because the algorithms would be tailored to look at the forms, extract the relevant data, and come up with a preliminary assessment of this application. So then once that happens, it goes to our registration team. The team looks at that and they have the ability to cross-reference the recommendation from the AI with the documentation. And once that’s in line, then it just gets forwarded to me who would then work on issuing the approval,” he explained.

Go and compete for projects
Meanwhile, Munroe highlighted that getting that certificate is just the first step. Thereafter, local companies have to go and compete for projects.
He noted that as more tier-one companies enter the sector, meaning those required by law to procure goods and services from local providers, the opportunities for Guyanese to benefit continue to expand.
Recently, the Government signed a Production Sharing Agreement with a consortium comprising QatarEnergy, TotalEnergies & Petronas. This company is now mandated to procure goods and services from Guyanese-owned companies, as mandated by the Local Content Act.
“And of course, by the end of the year, I know most persons appreciate Minister (Vickram) Bharrat already said that we plan on signing two more petroleum agreements. So of course, automatically, soon as those persons execute those agreements, there will be increased opportunities, increased demand for persons participating in the first instance in the 40 areas. And based on the proposals we get from the sectors, if we extend maybe to 60 areas, there will be demand in those 60 areas for businesses participating in that,” Munroe noted.
The Guyana Government has committed to reviewing the Local Content Act and expanding the 40 service areas set aside for locals.
There are 40 areas in which oil companies have to seek services from local providers, to varying degrees. For instance, 100 per cent of immigration support, work permit and visa application, customs and ground transportation, as well as insurance have to be sought from local service providers by the oil companies.
Meanwhile, other targets include 90 per cent of office space rental and accommodation services; 90 per cent of janitorial services, laundry and catering services; 95 per cent pest control services; 75 per cent local supply of food; and 90 per cent local accounting services.
In November 2024, it was reported that 1032 companies were registered with the Local Content Secretariat, meaning they are in possession of a Local Content Certificate to confirm they are a Guyanese company and are eligible to supply oil and gas operations.