04/06/2026
Guyana’s annual Local Content Summit 2026 covered some of Guyana’s most influential voices on economic development, local business collaboration, and national transformation.
Key insights from the speakers:
Mr. Michael Munroe, Director of the Local Content Secretariat confirmed that Government is actively consulting on expanding the First Schedule of the Local Content Act 2021 from 14 to over 30 categories of goods and services. He emphasised that Local Content Certification is not just a compliance requirement. It is a gateway to procurement. Businesses that hold certification tied to their specific service area are better positioned to be taken seriously by operators and tier-one contractors.
Hon. Dr. Ashni Singh, Minister of Finance reminded attendees that Guyana’s Local Content framework was a deliberate policy decision to ensure that Guyanese businesses and nationals are positioned to benefit from the country’s petroleum wealth. He challenged businesses to move beyond family-operated models and embrace strategic partnerships through joint ventures as the vehicle for competing at scale.
Hon. Keoma Griffith, Minister of Labor and Manpower Planning addressed the workforce dimension, noting that Guyana may require up to 160,000 additional workers in the near term. A national Labour Migration Policy is being developed to manage this strategically.
Hon. Vickram Bharrat, Minister of Natural Resources highlighted that the sector’s next phase, including new FPSO deployments, gas infrastructure, and the Berbice industrial complex, will generate a new wave of local procurement obligations.
Hon. Zulfikar Ally, Minister of Public Service, Government Efficiency and Implementation spoke on strengthening Guyana’s financial ecosystem, noting that the upcoming Development Bank of Guyana will offer accessible, low-barrier financing specifically designed for entrepreneurs and SMEs.
Dr. Peter Ramsaroop, CEO of Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest) shared that they are actively matching joint venture-ready local companies with incoming foreign investors. He encouraged entrepreneurs to professionalise their operations, maintain proper financial records, and not be afraid of joint ventures.
Mr. Rafeek Khan, President of the Guyana Manufacturing & Services Association Ltd outlined a cluster manufacturing model being developed to bring specialised small businesses together under anchor companies, removing the burden of market access, and infrastructure from individual operators so they can focus entirely on production.
The consistent message across every session: collaboration is no longer a suggestion. It is the foundation on which Guyanese businesses will grow, scale, and compete in a rapidly evolving economy.
