—Finance Minister says major international companies are establishing a presence as opportunities expand beyond oil and gas

GUYANA is attracting unprecedented levels of foreign investment as international companies move to establish operations and capitalise on the country’s rapid economic growth and expanding opportunities, according to Senior Minister within the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh.
He was at the time delivering remarks during a trade and investment mission here, during which he noted that the country is experiencing an extraordinary period of development that is drawing the attention of investors from around the world.
“You are in the right place at the right time,” the minister said, describing Guyana as a country undergoing significant economic and industrial expansion.
The rapid growth of the oil and gas sector, coupled with large-scale infrastructure development, has helped create an investment climate that is attracting major international companies.
“You have every single major provider of goods and services to the oil and gas industry establishing a presence in Guyana,” Singh said.
He noted that alongside the country’s growing petroleum sector, significant investments are being made in energy generation, industrial development, transportation infrastructure, housing, healthcare, education and tourism.
International energy companies from the United States, France, Qatar and Malaysia are already involved in offshore exploration and development activities, while global hotel brands and other investors are entering the local market.
Against this backdrop, Dr Singh said that Guyana’s appeal extends far beyond oil and gas, with opportunities emerging across virtually every sector of the economy.
“With the rate at which foreign direct investment is arriving, the rate at which domestic credit to the private sector is growing and the rate at which jobs are being created, there is a lot of business to be done,” he said.
“It almost doesn’t matter what sector you’re doing business in. The opportunities are many,” he added.
The minister added that the government’s aggressive infrastructure programme and policies aimed at fostering a globally competitive non-oil economy are creating additional opportunities for local and international investors alike.
“There are opportunities along the entire spectrum,” Dr Singh said. “From the largest investment opportunities all the way down to the smallest of enterprises.”
As Guyana continues its transformation, Dr Singh said the country remains open to investment and business development, while pursuing sustainable growth across multiple sectors of the economy.
Last month, President Dr Irfaan Ali said foreign direct investment in Guyana has surged to approximately 35 per cent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), describing it as a powerful indicator of growing global confidence in the country’s economy and governance.
“That is no ordinary number. That tells you about global confidence, investors’ confidence, confidence in the political system, confidence in the government, confidence in the economy and confidence that in the risks they are taking to invest, they believe that they can be successful,” President Ali stated.
The Head of State said Guyana has moved beyond the stage of having to introduce itself to international investors, noting that the country is now recognised globally for its economic transformation and strategic opportunities.
He highlighted Guyana’s leadership in climate policy, biodiversity, agriculture and renewable-energy advocacy long before the emergence of the oil and gas sector.
According to President Ali, Guyana is now positioning itself for the next phase of development through diversification into sectors such as healthcare, education, tourism, agro-processing, manufacturing, artificial intelligence and data centres.
“We are building out the most modern healthcare system in the world, the most modern education system in the world, not only for Guyanese, but as an economic component of the diversification of our economy,” he said.
The President noted that Guyana is aggressively embracing AI and digitisation, integrating technology into healthcare, immigration, public services and national planning systems.
“We have embraced AI as a development partner of the future,” he stated.
He identified hydroelectricity, smart grids, pharmaceutical manufacturing, agriculture, tourism and manufacturing among the sectors offering major opportunities for investment.
The President further stressed that Guyana’s development model is aimed at creating prosperity for all Guyanese through policies that encourage private-sector expansion and entrepreneurship.
“The government’s only role is to create the environment through systems and policies. The role of business, making money, development and growth is the role of the private sector,” he said.