“Lots of opportunities still available to create a niche for everybody” – Minister Croal

…tells members of diaspora time is right to invest in Guyana

Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal, during the launch of world-renowned real estate company RE/MAX in Guyana on Tuesday evening, called on members of the Guyanese diaspora to make investments in their homeland as the country experiences an upsurge in economic growth.

“The investment that we see here and the launching signals also the efforts that we’re seeing, encouraging not only foreign investors or persons who have no familiarity with our country, but certainly to also encourage our members from the diaspora, our Guyanese family members, to come back home and also play a role in Guyana’s development,” Minister Croal encouraged.
“And so, certainly I want to encourage more investments like this type; more persons from the diaspora to, first of all, seek out the best possible information to which you can have an opportunity, and then equally collaborating too, because it’s not only about taking up a single space, but collaborating with partners locally, persons who will have the local knowledge,” the Minister said.
Croal also noted that persons looking to invest should not see it as a competitive venture or as their being another competitor, since, “…investment opportunities are abundantly available. And so, quite interestingly, while persons come to Guyana to seek information as to how they could invest, and of course, no doubt, popularised because of the oil and gas sector, when they visit here and when the available information is provided, then they understand that there are a number of opportunities still available to create a niche for everybody.”

The Minister indicated that those persons who would eventually qualify as franchise holders have a responsibility to ensure that their delivery of a product in sales will keep the level of the business to a certain standard.
In addition to this, Minister Croal revealed that the real estate company is coming at a time when the construction industry is in its prime.
“…so, if you think from the half-year report that was presented by Dr. Ashni, (showing) that the construction industry grew for the first half (of the year) by 25 percent, and that’s only operating in a COVID pandemic period; or the effects coming following the impact last year, you can imagine what is going to happen going forward for the many investments that are going to be taking place in the infrastructure space, not only from a governmental level, but also from the Private Sector,” Minister Croal assured.
“And so, for the homeowners; the businesses; for opportunities in abundance, I’m also particularly pleased to see that you also have a platform that provides training. That is very important, so that you want to help the market grow, and to grow the level of service and quality of service,” he further noted.
Meanwhile, Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues, expressed that the presence of the RE/MAX brand in Guyana is a demonstration of confidence in the country and its economy.
“Guyana, as we know, is one of the most attractive destinations for investments; and the time, this time is the right time to come here and invest!” Rodrigues indicated. “I believe that once the work is put in, the investment is made – and, of course, with any new business, there has to be some amount of patience as you grow your business and as you make your name — you have an advantage, because you come with a name that is renowned. And that is the RE/MAX brand,” Rodrigues added.
She echoed the sentiments of Minister Croal in encouraging members of the Guyanese diaspora to invest in Guyana by stating, “We’re proud to welcome our Guyanese who have spent years overseas and have returned home to invest in our country and to grow and develop Guyana.”
While highlighting that the time is right for investments, Rodrigues encouraged these types of investments, noting that “…it helps to grow competition and it helps to raise the bar and to raise the level of service that we deliver to the people of our country.
“As you know, our country and our economy are on an upward trajectory, and this is engineered through Government policies and the investment that Government is making in our economy,” she stated.