US EXIM Bank offers to fund Guyana’s deepwater port facility

The United States (US) Export-Import (EXIM) Bank has offered to finance Guyana’s deepwater port facility – a project that the Guyanese Government has been pushing in recent years to position the country as a major regional hub.
During a high-level engagement with President Dr Irfaan Ali and other Government officials in Georgetown on Thursday, it was revealed that the Chairman of the US EXIM Bank, John Jovanovic, issued a letter of interest (LI) for the deepwater port project. “One of the highlights from the lunch was our chairman issuing a letter of interest for the deepwater port. And so, this is yet another project in which we can support the infrastructure requirements of the Guyanese people,” one of the EXIM Bank officials who accompanied the chairman revealed following the meeting.

Another member of the visiting delegation added, “As the Export-Import Bank, we have the opportunity to build on our Buy American, Build the Future framework here in Guyana. And I think it’s been really exciting to see that in action. And I think we’ve taken some really great steps [on Thursday]. And the next six to twelve months are going to pave the next 20 years for our relationship. So, we’re really excited to be here and be a part of it.”
An EXIM Letter of Interest is a pre-export tool that indicates the institution’s willingness to consider financing for a specific export transaction, subject to further review and submission of a formal application. As part of the LI review process, EXIM will also assess the bankability of the transaction and the likelihood that EXIM financing could ultimately support it.
The Guyana Government is already collaborating with US-based Bechtel Corporation to develop the major deepwater port at the mouth of the Berbice River.
Last October, President Ali disclosed that they are finalising the design of this facility. “We are working on the move towards the final phase of the deepwater port in Berbice, which will see the design completed, and then we will move towards construction,” the Head of State said to stakeholders at a breakfast event held on October 2, 2025, by the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI). Days later, the local private sector, including the GCCI, renewed calls for the establishment of a deepwater port facility in Guyana, with many stakeholders saying this is the best solution to the prolonged delays with shipments at the port in Trinidad and Tobago. Guyanese businesses, both big and small, have been complaining bitterly about the continued delays in shipments to and from Guyana as a result of major congestion at the Port of Port of Spain in the Twin-Island Republic. Previously, the Guyana Government had been eyeing the £3 billion loan facility that the United Kingdom Export Finance (UKEF) is offering Guyana to possibly fund the deepwater port facility in Berbice. Now, there is another financing option with this offer from the US EXIM Bank.
The EXIM Bank is the official export credit agency of the US. Back in July 2022, Guyana and the EXIM Bank signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for financing of up to US$2 billion for projects in several sectors, including infrastructure, energy, telecommunications, water treatment and sanitation, and agriculture. The MoU provides a framework within which financing can be provided by EXIM to advance developmental projects either by the state or the private sector in Guyana while promoting the export of US-made goods and services. Already, the financial institution has injected some US$527 million into the transformative Gas-to-Energy (GtE) Project, which is being executed by Houston-based contractor Lindsayca Inc. During Thursday’s meeting, Chairman Jovanovic assured President Ali of the US’ unwavering support to see this transformative project through to completion. They also discussed exciting opportunities ahead, with the EXIM Bank ready to finance additional development projects that align with Guyana’s national priorities.
According to the EXIM Bank Chairman, “I’m here today with my team in Guyana visiting President Ali and his cabinet to advance very key initiatives on the Guyanese-American relationship… And we hope that we can build a Western Hemisphere together that’s safe, prosperous and secure.”
“We hope that it sends a very clear message to investors all around the world that Guyana is open for business and that the big red carpet that President Ali has rolled out is wide open for partnership and for great investment.”