US development bank CEO to lead investors’ mission to Guyana today

On the heels of United States (US) Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s recent visit, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of America’s development bank Adam Boehler will be leading an investment mission to Guyana from today.

Boehler’s visit was announced by the US Embassy in Georgetown on Monday. According to the Embassy, it will also be hosting a virtual press briefing with Boehler and US Ambassador to Guyana Sarah-Ann Lynch today.
It was explained that Boehler will be leading a US Government delegation to Guyana to discuss investment opportunities and regional security, among other things. Boehler was appointed by US President Donald Trump and confirmed by the Senate last year.
He is the first Chief Executive Officer of the new US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), which is primarily responsible for providing and facilitating the financing of private development projects in lower- and middle-income countries.
Boehler is well versed with private sector development, having founded three successful businesses and most recently serving as the CEO of Landmark Health, one of his start-ups. According to the US State Department page, Boehler was in charge of healthcare innovation for the US Government at the Department of Health and Human Services prior to becoming CEO of DFC.
“DFC partners with the private sector to finance solutions to the most critical challenges facing the developing world today,” the website states.
“We invest across sectors including energy, healthcare, critical infrastructure, and technology. DFC also provides financing for small businesses and women entrepreneurs in order to create jobs in emerging markets. DFC investments adhere to high standards and respect the environment, human rights, and worker rights,” the statement also said, quoting from the website.
Boehler’s visit comes less than a month after US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, touched down in Guyana for a visit. While in Guyana, Pompeo held engagements with top Guyana Government officials including President Dr Irfaan Ali.
Pompeo had also signed a Framework Agreement to strengthen cooperation in various sectors including energy and infrastructure, under the umbrella of the Growth in the Americas Initiative, with Foreign Affairs Minister Hugh Todd.
Speaking at a joint press conference with Pompeo following the signing of the Framework, President Ali had explained that this agreement will not only pave the way for the US Private Sector to expand their investment portfolio here but also partner with the Guyanese Private Sector.
“These partnerships will help to meet our broader infrastructure and downstream development needs, and by extension, drive economic growth and development as well as job creation. Notably, more opportunities will be available for firms to explore investment opportunities in the tourism and hospitality sector, ICT and food production, among others,” Ali had asserted.
On the other hand, Secretary Pompeo disclosed that Guyana is the second Caribbean nation to join the “Growth in Americas Initiative”. This, he pointed out, demonstrates that the United States wants to model the Private Sector, not State-owned enterprises.
“(This) investment model is superior. It will deliver real, good things for the people of your country.  It’ll bring both those jobs – frankly, jobs to America as well – and it’ll increase cooperation on environmental issues just like potential spill responses. The last economic piece our Governments are working on is to increase trade and foreign direct investment here,” the Secretary of State had asserted.
Secretary Pompeo had also stated that the US will do all it can to help American companies have access to investment opportunities in places such as Guyana. But at the same time, he impressed that this has to be done in a fair and transparent manner as the US is equally interested in seeing the wealth that is created from these opportunities benefit Guyanese. (G3)