A DELEGATION of 58 business representatives from more than 30 Trinidad and Tobago companies has arrived in Guyana as part of the 2026 Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA) Trade and Investment Mission, aimed at expanding regional trade, fostering investment opportunities and strengthening private sector partnerships across Guyana and Suriname.
The Guyana leg of the mission was officially launched on Tuesday by the Suriname-Guyana Chamber of Commerce (SGCC), which is coordinating the local programme in partnership with TTMA. The week-long initiative will see delegates engage in structured business-to-business meetings, consultations with government agencies and market exploration activities before continuing to Suriname.
According to the SGCC, the mission builds on the success of its 2025 edition, which facilitated more than 300 business-to-business meetings and generated over US$300 million in reported business opportunities and commercial deals across Guyana and Suriname.
Organisers said months of preparation went into the initiative, including consultations with participating companies to assess their products, services, expansion objectives and partnership interests. The information was then used to match delegates with relevant private sector entities, investors, distributors, manufacturers, suppliers and government agencies in both countries.
Throughout the mission, delegates will participate in pre-arranged meetings designed to explore distributorship agreements, joint ventures, service contracts, investment opportunities and strategic partnerships.
Welcoming the delegation, SGCC Operations Manager and incoming Chief Executive Officer (ag.), Saudia Persaud, said the mission reflects a growing commitment among Caribbean businesses to pursue opportunities through regional cooperation and economic integration.
Referencing President Mohamed Irfaan Ali’s call for greater competitiveness and collaboration within the region, Persaud noted that the participating companies had made a deliberate decision to engage in cross-border partnerships and contribute to stronger regional value chains.
Speaking on behalf of the Chamber, SGCC Treasurer Annabelle Carter-Sharma highlighted the increasing importance of regional business alliances as Guyana and Suriname continue to attract international attention due to their economic growth and investment potential.
She said the return of the mission demonstrates confidence in the opportunities available in both countries and reinforces the role of regional partnerships in creating value, opening new markets and supporting sustainable economic development.
TTMA President Emil Ramkissoon expressed appreciation to SGCC for facilitating the initiative and encouraged delegates to maximise the opportunities presented during the mission. He underscored the importance of collaboration among Caribbean businesses in expanding commercial relationships beyond domestic markets.
Also addressing the opening ceremony was Kern Alexis, Assistant Secretary for Finance, Trade and the Economy in the Tobago House of Assembly. During his first visit to Guyana, Alexis encouraged participants to build relationships based on trust, mutual respect and long-term cooperation aimed at achieving shared regional prosperity.
A major highlight of the event was the keynote address delivered by Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Ashni Singh.
Welcoming the delegation, Singh described Guyana’s current economic transformation as one of the most significant periods in the country’s history.
“We’re going through an extraordinary period of economic growth and an extraordinary period of economic transformation in Guyana,” the minister said.
He pointed to major investments in infrastructure, energy, tourism and industrial development, while highlighting the rapid expansion of private sector activity. Singh noted that Guyana’s oil production has increased significantly since first oil was achieved in late 2019 and is expected to surpass one million barrels per day before the end of 2026.
The minister encouraged participants to identify local partners and pursue collaborative business models, arguing that strategic partnerships between regional companies will be critical to ensuring that economic growth generates sustainable opportunities throughout the Caribbean.
The opening ceremony concluded with the presentation of appreciation tokens by TTMA Trade Officer Ismahieel Ali to SGCC and Minister Singh for their contributions to advancing regional trade and investment cooperation.
Over the coming days, the delegation will participate in a series of SGCC-curated meetings, networking events and consultations with public and private sector stakeholders in Guyana before proceeding to Suriname for the second phase of the mission.
Organisers also acknowledged the support of Pegasus Hotel and Corporate Suites, as well as key agencies including the Guyana Office for Investment (G-Invest), the Guyana National Bureau of Standards, the Food and Drug Department and the Guyana Registry. Republic Bank (Guyana) Limited will sponsor the mission’s closing reception, bringing together delegates, government officials and private sector representatives for further networking and engagement.