“Think beyond Guyana” – Min Ally challenges local companies to expand regional footprint, dominate markets

Public Service, Government Efficiency, and Implementation Minister Zulfikar Ally has challenged local companies to think beyond Guyana by seizing the opportunities arising from the nation’s economic boom and transforming themselves into regional and global powerhouses.

He was at the time speaking at the third instalment of the International Business Conference (IBC), at the Guyana Marriott Hotel on Tuesday.
“This is not the path Guyana will take. Our goal is not just growth, but good growth – growth that is broad-based, inclusive, and sustainable,” Minister Ally declared while adding, “The expansion of our economy will unlock tremendous opportunities across all sectors – from construction and logistics to services, technology, tourism, and agribusiness.”
He stressed that Guyana’s growth is not occurring in isolation but is interlinked with the prosperity of the wider Caribbean. “As Guyana grows, so too does the Caribbean. Every new investment, every new partnership that takes root here, sends ripples of opportunity across our region. That is why this conference’s theme of Bridging Businesses is so timely. It’s not about waiting for global investors to discover us – it’s about discovering each other.”

Regional ambition
Addressing Guyanese business owners and entrepreneurs directly, Minister Ally urged them to widen their horizons and embrace the spirit of expansion. “This is your moment. Don’t stop at the shoreline. Don’t limit your ambitions to the local market. The real opportunity lies in building a regional footprint.”
He reminded participants that the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME) was designed to create a shared platform for Caribbean firms to grow beyond their borders. “That dream is still alive,” he said. “But it needs entrepreneurs with courage and vision to make it real. Don’t be satisfied just meeting domestic demand. Think regionally. Think globally. Because ambition is the first ingredient of expansion.”
Using Trinidad and Tobago as a model, Minister Ally pointed out that the twin-island nation had leveraged its oil boom to establish regional champions in manufacturing, finance, and commerce. “They didn’t just sell to their home market – they looked outward and conquered markets across the Caribbean. That’s what I’m urging Guyanese businesses to do: use this period of economic strength to develop capacity, competitiveness, and courage.”

Building institutions, not just companies
Further, he underscored that long-term success will depend on the creation of institutions that endure. “Don’t just build companies – build institutions that will outlast generations,” he advised. “We too can have regional champions headquartered in Georgetown, Linden, or Berbice, operating seamlessly across Bridgetown, Port of Spain, and Kingston. That’s not a fantasy – that’s a future within our reach, but only if we act now.”
He acknowledged the challenges that small economies face but emphasised that the CSME remains a powerful launchpad. “The combined internal market may be small compared to global markets, but it is assured – and that assurance is priceless. The single market gives us a home-field advantage from which to build. We must use it as our launchpad, not our limit.”
In fact, the minister set out a five-point strategy for firms to grow their regional footprint that emphasised the need to build strong brands, forge partnerships, harmonise logistics and standards, invest in people and innovate relentlessly.
Minister Ally assured the private sector that the government is creating the infrastructure and policy environment to support cross-border business growth. “We’re not bystanders in this transformation,” he stated. “Our goal is to make Guyana a major player in food and energy security across the Caribbean. We have the land, the water, and the capacity to feed the region. The Caribbean imports US$6 billion in food annually – there’s no reason why Guyana cannot supply a significant share of that demand.”
In the energy sector, he noted that Guyana’s new oil wealth gives it a “unique responsibility” to lead regional stability and industrialisation. “We can help stabilise energy costs, promote cleaner technologies, and power the Caribbean’s industrial future. We’re not just talking about energy independence – we’re talking about energy leadership.”
He concluded by encouraging attendees to use the International Business Conference as a marketplace of ideas. He added, “Every conversation you have here has the potential to change the trajectory of a business, a community, or even a country. The world is watching the Caribbean with renewed interest. Investors are seeing our potential – but that will mean little unless we see ourselves as the architects of our own prosperity.”