MORE than 50 Guyanese businesses have taken a significant step towards expanding their regional footprint after participating in a targeted business-to-business (B2B) networking forum designed to strengthen commercial ties with Barbadian distributors ahead of AgroFest 2026.
The engagement, facilitated by the Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest) and hosted at the Accra Beach Hotel in Barbados, aimed to create practical and sustainable partnerships between Guyanese producers and Barbadian distributors across retail, hospitality and food-service industries.
The session formed part of preparations for AgroFest 2026, scheduled for February 27 to March 1, positioning participating companies to use the regional agricultural exhibition not only as a showcase but as a gateway to long-term market expansion and distribution opportunities.
Speaking at the forum, Chief Operations Officer of GO-Invest Tebogah Christian underscored the importance of deepening intra-regional trade, noting that while Guyana and Barbados have maintained decades of commercial relations, the full potential of regional commerce remains largely unrealised.
He said strengthening supply chains and building practical business linkages would help create a more dynamic trading relationship while advancing broader Caribbean economic integration goals under the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) framework.
The B2B initiative forms part of GO-Invest’s wider strategy to promote export-led growth, improve market intelligence and facilitate structured partnerships aimed at expanding Guyana’s non-oil exports throughout the Caribbean.
Officials noted that the effort aligns with the Vision 2030 development agenda championed by President Mohamed Irfaan Ali, which prioritises agricultural expansion, value-added production and stronger regional market access. Investments outlined in the 2026 National Budget, including improved drainage and irrigation systems, enhanced farm-to-market access, agro-processing incentives and expanded cold-storage capacity, are intended to transition Guyana toward competitive, export-ready agro-industrial production.
Participants said the forum provided valuable insight into Barbadian consumer preferences, regulatory standards, packaging requirements and distribution logistics. Several discussions are expected to advance into supply agreements and formal distribution partnerships during AgroFest.
Among officials attending were Special Envoy for Barbados to Guyana and Suriname Alphea Wiggins; General Manager of the Guyana Marketing Corporation, Teshawna Lall; Consular Officer at the Guyana Consulate in Barbados Sandy Williams; and Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Export Barbados Andrea Burgess.
As Guyanese companies prepare for a strong showing at AgroFest 2026, officials say the initiative signals a deliberate push to expand regional trade, strengthen non-oil export performance and accelerate private-sector growth through deeper economic integration across the Caribbean.