By Bebi Shafeah Oosman
DURING the 2026 budget debate, Minister of Public Utilities and Aviation, Deodat Indar, said Guyana’s economy is on a clear upward trajectory, supported by measurable growth across all major sectors, particularly manufacturing, energy, agriculture and aviation.
Indar told the National Assembly that “every metric is on the rise, every sector is rising,” pointing to concrete data that demonstrates expanding economic activity nationwide. He criticised the parliamentary opposition for refusing to acknowledge these gains, despite what he described as overwhelming evidence embedded in the national budget.
A major focus of Indar’s presentation was the private sector, noting that manufacturers are already benefitting from government policy, citing industry data that shows increases across the sectors.
According to Indar, manufacturing remains central to Guyana’s economic stability. He warned that heavy reliance on imports exposes the country to imported inflation, reinforcing the need to build domestic productive capacity.
“If you do not manufacture, you have to import,” he said, adding that local production is essential to protecting consumers and sustaining growth.
The Minister outlined several large-scale industrial and energy initiatives aimed at strengthening that capacity. Among them is a proposed gas bottling and logistics facility, for which requests for proposals (RFPs) will be issued this year. The facility is designed to produce more than three million gas cylinders annually, allowing Guyana to manufacture both gas and cylinders locally.
The government is also advancing plans for fertiliser production, another initiative tied to the country’s natural gas resources and the Minister explained that between 70% and 90% of natural gas is used globally as feedstock for fertiliser manufacturing. An RFP has already been issued for a fertiliser plant capable of producing 300,000 tonnes per year. The project is intended to lower input costs for farmers and reduce food prices by making agricultural production more affordable.
Renewable energy also featured prominently in the presentation and he confirmed that the Amelia Falls hydropower project, expected to generate 65 megawatts of electricity, is moving forward after years of stagnation by the previous administration. “We will make it a reality, the project will play a critical role in diversifying Guyana’s energy mix and supporting long-term industrial growth.
Turning to employment, Indar dismissed claims that the government has failed to create jobs. He referenced data from the Ministry of Labour indicating that tens of thousands of jobs have been created over the past five years, with additional opportunities emerging this year, particularly in aviation.
He noted that job fairs are now required to meet demand at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, with openings for engineers, electricians, plumbers, cargo agents, ramp attendants, administrative staff, aviation security personnel, customer service workers, and duty-free employees.
Significant investments are also being made to modernise aviation infrastructure and he disclosed that $800 million has been allocated this year to relocate the airport’s control tower to accommodate increased aircraft parking, a development he said reflects the rapid expansion of air traffic.
An additional $100 million has been earmarked for training Guyanese pilots, engineers, and aviation professionals, alongside the establishment of a dedicated aviation training school.
In maritime infrastructure, Indar pointed to an allocation of $6.3 billion for dredging the Demerara River, a move expected to improve navigation and support increased commercial activity.
The Minister concluded by stressing that these initiatives reflect deliberate long-term planning and investment, arguing that large-scale projects, not short-term thinking, are what will continue to move Guyana’s development forward.
