Several Canada-Guyana business partnerships formed in just 2 years

– merchandise trade totalled C$238.2M in 2021
– Women in Business Trade Mission planned for 2023

The Canada-Guyana Chamber of Commerce (CGCC) is celebrating its two-year anniversary and the fact that in those two years, it has already facilitated the formation of a number of business partnerships between the private sectors of the two countries.

In the two years, significant growth was recorded in trade between the two countries. For instance, in 2021, merchandise trade totalled C$238.2 million between the two countries. In addition, exports to Guyana for 2021 were valued at $28.6 million, while imports from Guyana were valued at $199.6 million
“As a leading trade partner with Guyana for decades, the High Commission of Canada in Guyana wished to further integrate Canadian and Guyanese businesses to support the multiple economic developments in both countries,” a statement from the CGCC said.
“The Canadian High Commission was instrumental in bringing together private sector leaders from Canada and Guyana to form the Canada-Guyana Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber which was launched in December 2020 with twenty-eight founding members, now has sixty-five members and growing, comprising a diverse group of businesses.”
Among the partnerships that have been formed between businesses in the two countries, is the recently announced partnership between Beharry Energy Holdings and Atlantic XL out of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Additionally, a joint venture was formed between Farfan and Mendes Limited and Crosbie Group Limited.
“These are only two of the many business collaborations and investments among the CGCC members. The CGCC CEO, Ms. Treina Butts, works with members to find complimentary local partners as Canadian companies desire to work in Guyana jointly with local partners across several industries.”
“In addition to pursuing partnerships, over the last year the CGCC was represented at trade summits and conferences in both Canada and Guyana and the Chamber also hosted several information sessions to keep members updated about trade-related developments in Guyana and Canada,” the CGCC said.

Activities
The Chamber announced that for 2023, they have several major activities planned, including a Women in Business Trade Mission which will put the limelight on the robust women-owned Canadian and Guyanese businesses. According to them, it will provide them “with a unique opportunity to partner and grow their business in both markets.”
Among the notable activities that the CGCC completed in 2022 was the CGCC Virtual Engagement with Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh, during which he discussed Guyana’s Budgetary Allocations for the Fiscal Year 2022.
“The CGCC was actively involved in the Canada-Caribbean Trade Event: Growing a Green Economic Recovery – which focused on market opportunities in Guyana, Barbados, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago.”
“Canada’s Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade, Mary Ng, visited Guyana during this trade event to cement the trade relationship between Canada and Guyana and met with some of the members of the CGCC who are presently operating in Guyana.”
The Chamber also partnered for a hybrid meeting on Trade & Investment Opportunities between Canada and Guyana – which was a meeting with Minister Mary Ng (Canada), Minister Oneidge Walrond, other Canadian Members of Parliament, and members of the CGCC.
During the meeting, the CEO of the Chamber and Board Members delivered presentations on inclusive business, agriculture, and clean tech as areas of development between Canada and Guyana.
Additionally, the CGCC hosted its inaugural gala and fund-raising event in Toronto which featured Dr Ashni Singh as the guest speaker from Guyana. Attending companies participated in several business-to-business meetings with partners in Canada who were looking to collaborate for investments in Guyana.
“The Chamber organised a virtual Information Session on the Procurement Services of Canada which is key provider of services for federal departments and agencies. The Chamber held a virtual webinar with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency on Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR) and import requirements for agricultural goods.”
“The Chamber hosted a virtual introduction and information session on areas of collaboration for the development with HE Keith George, Guyana’s new High Commissioner to Canada. The Chamber hosted a virtual session with the Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC) and Dr Ashni Singh, on the Guyana-Canada M-U for the procurement of goods,” the Chamber also announced.