-Housing Minister says event plays a vital role in shaping Guyana’s physical, economic landscape
THE sixth International Building Exposition was on Thursday evening launched under the theme: ‘Guyana at 60: Building Strong Foundations for the Sustainable Future,’ and is slated to be held from June 25 to 28, 2026, at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.
The expo was first launched in 2010 under the leadership of President Dr Irfaan Ali who was the Minister of Housing and Water at the time. The aim was to bring contractors, suppliers, banks, and investors under one roof to build a stronger Guyana.
Today, it stands as the largest building exposition, not just in Guyana, but the Caribbean, connecting Guyana to the region and the world.
Delivering his feature address, Minister of Housing, Collin Croal said that without a doubt, this initiative speaks directly to the scale, pace, and the direction of Guyana’s growth, particularly within the housing and construction sectors.
He posited that the International Building Expo continues to do what only a few events have done, it brings together developers, contractors, architects, financiers, suppliers, innovators, technical experts, and citizens in general, within one venue, each playing a vital role in shaping Guyana’s physical and economic landscape.
Beyond this, the minister said, the expo has grown into something more. He said it is now an international platform that showcases development and connects people to opportunities, introducing new ideas and technologies, and supports growth across to the entire construction ecosystem.
“Importantly, this year’s expo is being launched at a particularly meaningful time in our nation’s history. This year, as has been said, Guyana will celebrate 60 years of independence. This is a milestone that all Guyanese, at home and in the diaspora, will be proud to celebrate. It is an opportunity for us to reflect on the resilience, determination, and vision that has brought us to where we are today.”
It is also a moment that calls on Guyanese to look ahead, to ask what kind of country we are building, an answer he says will always be that we are building a country for the next generation.
According to Croal, housing and infrastructure are not just development priorities, they are nation-building tools.
The houses we construct, as well as the communities we design, and the investment in infrastructure will define our present and our future, he said.
This year’s theme, the minister related, reflects how far we have come, and the direction that we are headed in as we continue to focus on sustainability, innovation, and long-term planning.
Across the regions, we are seeing expanding housing schemes, improved infrastructure, and increased private sector participation.
Minister Croal stated that this growth is not accidental, it is the result of deliberate policy, sustained investment, and a clear commitment by the government to ensure that development reaches every community.
Guyana’s housing sector remains a cornerstone of the government’s national agenda.
“We have made significant strides in expanding access to land. We have made significant strides in ensuring that the process is moving towards land ownership, accelerating housing development, supporting low-, moderate-, middle-, and vulnerable-income families in achieving home ownership. And at the same time, we are strengthening the infrastructure to support these communities through roads, drainage, water, electricity, and other essential services,” he emphasised.
With this in mind, Minister Croal said that as the sector grows, so does the need for innovation, capacity and strong collaboration.
This, he said, is where the International Building Expo 2026 becomes critical. This year’s expo, he pointed out, “showcases not only more than 60 years of progress in housing and infrastructure, but also in the future of building in Guyana from smart and prefabricated solutions from climate-resilient infrastructure to green technologies and innovative housing models. Further, it will also serve as an important space for investment and engagement, connecting developers, financial institutions, suppliers, and service providers, while giving the ordinary Guyanese access to information, guidance, and the opportunities within this sector.”
The minister encouraged established players, emerging businesses, regional partners, and international stakeholders to take full advantage of what is happening here in Guyana, and what the expo has to offer.
This, he said, is a sector that is progressing, quickly, and there is significant room for those who are ready to contribute.
“We are committed to creating the enabling environment for this sector to continue to thrive. We will continue to invest, expand access, and work with all stakeholders to ensure that development is inclusive, sustainable, and impactful,” Minister Croal assured.
