-eyes regional energy security, future collaboration opportunities
THE Dominican Republic is exploring investment opportunities in Guyana’s Berbice Block as the two Caribbean nations continue to deepen cooperation in energy, agriculture and regional development.
According to a press statement issued by the Office of the President on Thursday, the Government of the Dominican Republic, through Refinería Dominicana de Petróleo S.A., is currently engaged in discussions aimed at expanding collaboration within Guyana’s oil and gas sector, including reported interest relating to the Berbice Block, previously held by On Energy.
“Guided by this framework and supported by growing private-sector collaboration in both countries, several initiatives have advanced steadily across a range of sectors,” the release said.
The engagements form part of ongoing efforts under a 2023 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Guyana and the Dominican Republic, which established co-operation in sectors such as energy, oil refining, agriculture, tourism and petrochemicals.
“Among the areas under consideration is investment interest relating to the Berbice Block, previously held by On Energy, as well as broader discussions on regional energy security and future opportunities for collaboration.
These engagements align with the Government of Guyana’s long-term vision of enhancing national and regional energy security, while positioning Guyana as an important energy partner within the Caribbean,” the statement added.
Further, several initiatives have continued progressing steadily under the framework of the agreement, supported by increasing collaboration between private sector entities in both countries.
Guyana has been positioning itself as an important energy partner within the Caribbean, with the talks aligning with the government’s long-term vision of enhancing national and regional energy security.
The two governments also welcomed growing partnerships among private sector companies, including efforts to establish joint ventures and consortiums in agriculture, energy and petrochemicals.
Back in 2025, President Dr Irfaan Ali had said that the coastal regions of Mahaica-Berbice (Region Five) and East Berbice-Corentyne (Region Six) were being transformed into major economic hubs, underpinning Guyana’s rise as a gateway for continental trade and investment.
Among the flagship projects driving this transformation are the establishment of a deep-water port, the new high-span Berbice River Bridge, and the Corentyne River Bridge, which will link Guyana and Suriname.
According to the government’s 2025 PPP/C Manifesto, Berbice is being earmarked as a future industrial capital, leveraging its strategic location and natural gas reserves.
Plans are in motion to attract private investment in oil refining, alumina processing, fertiliser production, and petrochemical manufacturing.
Supporting this vision, the government will construct a second natural gas pipeline in Berbice — mirroring ExxonMobil’s pipeline from the Liza field to Wales, West Bank Demerara. That project currently fuels the Gas-to-Energy initiative, designed to supply 125 million standard cubic feet of gas daily for domestic power generation and natural gas liquids (NGLs) extraction.
The upcoming Berbice pipeline will similarly anchor the development of a new industrial park, signalling what President Ali described as “the next phase of Guyana’s regional economic expansion.”
