PRESIDENT, Dr Irfaan Ali announced that more than four international delegations will be visiting Guyana, not for oil and gas, but for tourism, food production, manufacturing, and creating wealth, and this is a significant turning point in our history.
During his speech at the ceremony where he commissioned two new Jags Aviation planes, the President clearly articulated this idea: “The world is beginning to discover a Guyana that is totally unrecognisable.”
In essence, this recognition, which represents a departure from our previous narrow focus on offshore reserves, is well earned. As such, it represents the result of the President’s vision, planning, and consistent delivery.
As the President correctly noted, this development did not occur by chance. Rather, it was carefully planned and achieved. In terms of tangible evidence of success, we see that GO-Invest assisted in facilitating GY $157 Billion in investments in non-oil sectors during 2025 alone; these investments represent more than $1 trillion worth of signed agreements since 2020 across a range of sectors including agriculture, manufacturing, tourism, and logistics — all representing commitments for greater than 32,000 jobs. The growth rate of the non-oil sector was an incredible 14.3% during last year. With the Caribbean region currently purchasing approximately $US6-$8 Billion in food each year, the government’s goal of Guyana becoming a ‘breadbasket’ for the region is based upon both logical reasoning and visionary leadership.
The President described aviation as “a lifeline, not a luxury,” ; this captures perfectly the innovative thinking that has characterised this administration. A country of large forests, powerful rivers, and widely dispersed communities requires infrastructure that links farmers to their customers and remote areas to the national economy — and the government is doing this. Terminal Two at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, designed as an experience through which visitors can learn about Guyana’s natural heritage and biodiversity, coupled with the movement of the Rose Hall and Lethem Airports from aspirations to accomplishments illustrate a government that takes action on its commitments.
This moment is particularly exciting because the government has matched its ambitions with the appropriate enablers: zero-tax agriculture and agro-processing, a new Development Bank for small businesses, and unprecedented levels of investment in roadways, port facilities and the Wales gas-to-energy project that will reduce electricity prices by half and allow competitive industries to exist. These elements represent the purposeful construction blocks of a sustainable and broad-based economy.
It was when speaking about discipline that the President made his most poignant comments: “There is no substitute for hard work… regardless of how much money is coming in.” This same approach to hard work demonstrated by leaders at the top is precisely what gives investors confidence when arriving at our doorstep. We meet this new wave of interest not as beggars, but as a sovereign nation that negotiates from a position of strength, while ensuring that local content, environmental responsibility and retaining value within our country for our citizens.
Our forests, our land, and our people’s talent have been present prior to the oil era. Under this government’s stewardship they are being prepared to continue beyond it. The President referred to this moment as being “on the brink” of an “unbelievable future,” one that is being developed intentionally and with confidence for every citizen.
