US, UK envoys urge investors to tap into opportunities in logistics, business franchising

The United States is Guyana’s largest partner in energy, specifically in the area of oil and gas, and US Ambassador to Guyana, Nicole Theriot, is urging local businesses to pool their resources and invest in the sectors of logistics and franchising.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the International Business Conference, held at the Marriott Hotel in Kingston, Georgetown, Ambassador Theriot told the gathering that companies in the United States of America have signalled an interest in expanding their businesses in Guyana; and among those businesses are huge hotel and restaurant chains, hospitality agencies, and logistics service providers.
“The Government of Guyana, and President Ali himself has said this on many occasions: he wants to see more US investment in Guyana’s non-oil sectors; and we definitely want to see that too! In fact, we have another US trade delegation coming in next week. I’m really glad to hear that these sessions also focus on Guyana’s role in the Caribbean economy. Guyana, of course, is now a significant leader in the region, both…in Caricom and as an exporter,” the US Ambassador has said.

The US is the largest source of foreign direct investment in Guyana, and according to Ambassador Theriot, its commercial engagement here has transformed the business sector and played a pivotal role in ensuring the private sector is connected and partnering in key bilateral economic relations.
She noted that the US is eager to tap into other industries here, one being logistics through partnerships and increased business-to-business relations.
“Over the last few years, Guyana has focused on improving its physical infrastructure, and as we are talking about collaboration and opportunities, focusing on interconnected infrastructure projects is absolutely essential. Goods must reach the market efficiently, and people must be able to go where the opportunities exist…,” she has said.
“Unlike my colleagues, I do not serve as US Ambassador to Suriname, but I do serve as the US Government Representative of Caricom, and I can’t tell you how often I hear from Caricom member states how incredibly important improving logistics, transportation and connectivity in this region is.And so that is something that the US Government is focusing heavily on, not just here in Guyana,” Theriot added
Her colleague, British High Commissioner Jane Miller, had a similar message as she noted that the UK is working to build a robust logistics sector between Guyana and Suriname.
“When the UK comes to (any) country, we don’t just come as a fly-by-night, we like to invest long term relationships in those countries. We put a huge amount of emphasis on the quality of the services that we provide, on standards, and in terms of providing that long-term care to those relationships,” she explained.
“Similar to (what) the EU has just mentioned, the UK and DBT work in all sectors, except for oil and gas. We will work in agriculture infrastructure; we see massive opportunities in a diversified set of businesses; we’ve also set several trade missions, and we’ll be having another trade mission beginning the week of the 11th of November,” the British High Commissioner shared.
The ongoing International Business Conference serves as a platform to unlock new opportunities geared at boosting business-to-business partnerships between Guyana and Suriname. Organised by the Guyana-Suriname Chamber of Commerce with support from the Suriname Investment and Trade Agency (SITA), the Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest), and the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA), this conference offers a platform for locals to pool their resources, strengthen collective capabilities, and elevate the Caribbean’s standing in the global market.
More than 500 delegates and 100 speakers are attending the conference, which is set to play a crucial role in advancing regional development and fostering new business partnerships in real estate, infrastructure, mining, industrial services and tourism.