—calls for early investment as geopolitical shifts open new economic frontiers
PRESIDENT Dr Irfaan Ali has signalled that Guyana and the wider Caribbean must urgently reposition their economic strategies to capitalise on what he described as emerging opportunities in Haiti and Cuba, warning that failure to act early could see the region miss out on transformative growth.
Addressing the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce’s Annual Business Meeting Outlook 2026/2027, President Ali pointed to shifting geopolitical dynamics that could unlock significant demand in both countries, particularly in food, construction, and industrial supply chains.
“The geopolitical environment is telling us that two massive markets will open up, or have the possibility of opening up in a remarkable way in the short term—Haiti and Cuba,” the President said.
He stressed that both countries, given their development trajectories, will require sustained imports and external support to rebuild and expand their productive capacity, creating a window of opportunity for regional exporters and investors.
“Imagine now the size and possibility those two markets opening up. The time frame for them to rebuild capacity, whether it’s in food, agro-processing, they will have a long lag time,” he explained.
Against this backdrop, the Head of State urged Caribbean governments and private sector players to move beyond reactive approaches and begin actively positioning themselves as first movers in these markets.
“How are we positioning ourselves in the eyes of this geopolitical shift that is occurring? What are we investing in to define our presence there?” he questioned.
President Ali emphasised that early coordination between Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago could be pivotal in establishing a competitive advantage, particularly through joint investment frameworks and regional consortiums.
“If we come together, we can develop a powerful consortium that can position Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago to be first movers when those opportunities arise,” he said.
The President made it clear that traditional, inward-looking economic policies would not be sufficient to take advantage of these emerging prospects, calling instead for bold, outward-facing strategies that align with global demand patterns.
He underscored that the region must begin investing now in sectors that will be critical to servicing these markets, including agriculture, agro-processing, manufacturing, and logistics.
The call forms part of a broader push by the Guyanese government to promote deeper regional integration, expand export markets, and leverage the country’s growing production capacity, particularly in agriculture and energy.
President Ali’s remarks also align with ongoing national efforts to build a diversified economy, with Guyana positioning itself as a key supplier within a wider Caribbean and Latin American trade network.
He warned, however, that without decisive action, the region risks being sidelined by more aggressive global competitors already preparing to enter these markets.
“Opportunities like these do not wait,” the President said, urging policymakers and business leaders to act with urgency and strategic clarity.
