– agriculture, energy, manufacturing and transport identified as priority areas for cooperation

PRIME Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips has called on the newly established Brazil Chamber of Commerce (Guyana) Inc. to convert existing trade and investment opportunities between Guyana and Brazil into concrete business ventures, jobs and economic benefits for both countries.
Phillips, who is performing the functions of President, made the call on Wednesday during the official launch of the chamber at the National Library Conference Room in Georgetown, where he highlighted the potential for deeper cooperation in agriculture, manufacturing, energy, infrastructure and logistics.
He said that despite the longstanding diplomatic relations, shared border and complementary economic opportunities between the two countries, their commercial relationship remained below its potential.
Citing figures from the Bureau of Statistics, Phillips noted that Brazil accounted for approximately 3.2 per cent of Guyana’s exports and 2.9 per cent of its imports in 2025, indicating considerable scope to expand bilateral trade.
He said the new chamber could help bridge the gap between diplomatic engagement and commercial activity by connecting entrepreneurs, manufacturers, investors, exporters and service providers, while helping businesses identify partners, understand regulatory requirements and establish reliable supply chains.ww2
“The Chamber can become a meeting point for entrepreneurs, manufacturers, investors, exporters and service providers,” the Prime Minister said, emphasising the need to translate commercial discussions into investment decisions.
Phillips encouraged the organisation to pursue a practical programme of sector-specific trade missions, business-to-business engagements and investment matchmaking, while working with government agencies to identify and address barriers to trade.
He also called for measurable targets to assess progress in expanding bilateral commerce, attracting investment and increasing the participation of small and medium-sized enterprises.
AGRICULTURE, ENERGY AND INDUSTRY
Among the priority areas identified, the Prime Minister pointed to agriculture as a significant avenue for cooperation, particularly in technology transfer, livestock development, mechanisation, agricultural research and agro-processing.
He highlighted the proposed Science, Technology and Innovation Hub involving Brazil’s agricultural research institution, EMBRAPA, as an opportunity to strengthen Guyana’s agricultural productivity and competitiveness.
Closer collaboration could facilitate the transfer of expertise and technology, supporting the modernisation of farming and the development of value-added agricultural products.
In the energy sector, Phillips identified renewable energy, electricity infrastructure and technical expertise as areas with potential for joint initiatives.
He also pointed to Guyana’s proposed ammonia and urea fertiliser plant at Wales as a possible opportunity for commercial engagement with Brazil’s substantial agricultural sector.
Manufacturing and logistics were also highlighted as areas where stronger partnerships could support investment, improve supply chains and create opportunities for businesses seeking to serve markets beyond their home countries.
Phillips said Guyana’s expanding economy and geographical position could make the country an attractive base for Brazilian businesses seeking to establish regional operations, develop distribution networks and access Caribbean and other international markets.
CONNECTIVITY KEY TO TRADE EXPANSION
The Prime Minister stressed that improved transportation and logistics infrastructure would be critical to facilitating the movement of goods and people between the neighbouring countries.
He cited the Takutu River Bridge as an important physical link and said further development of the Linden–Lethem corridor, alongside improvements to roads, logistics systems and port facilities, could strengthen connections between northern Brazil, Guyana and Caribbean markets.
“The development of the Linden–Lethem corridor, together with improvements to roads, logistics and port facilities, can strengthen that connection and facilitate the movement of goods between northern Brazil, Guyana and Caribbean markets,” he said.
Phillips also welcomed the announcement of international bus routes linking Georgetown and Lethem with Brazilian destinations, noting that improved passenger transportation could support tourism, business travel, trade missions and cultural exchanges.
Guyana’s ambition to develop deep-water port capacity could further expand opportunities for Brazilian importers and exporters seeking access to Caribbean and Atlantic markets, he added.
However, he stressed that infrastructure development must be accompanied by stronger commercial relationships and practical measures to address challenges such as language differences and unfamiliarity with business regulations and requirements.
SUCCESS TO BE MEASURED BY RESULTS
Phillips said the chamber’s effectiveness should ultimately be assessed by its contribution to tangible economic activity rather than the opportunities identified alone.
“We must judge our success by the businesses established, the investments realised, the jobs created and the goods exchanged,” he stated.
He reaffirmed Guyana’s commitment to strengthening commercial relations with Brazil and encouraged businesses in both countries to pursue productive partnerships that could generate sustained economic benefits.
The Prime Minister congratulated the leadership of the Brazil Chamber of Commerce (Guyana) Inc. on its establishment, expressing hope that the organisation would serve as an effective platform for bringing the two business communities together.
The launch comes as Guyana continues to explore opportunities to diversify its productive sectors, strengthen regional connectivity and expand trade partnerships, with closer commercial engagement with Brazil offering scope for cooperation in agriculture, energy, manufacturing and transportation.