— building at High Street to be renovated to suit international standards, WTC Georgetown Director says

AS Guyana’s unmatched economic growth continues to generate global and regional attraction, what promises to be a local version of the renowned World Trade Center (WTC), is scheduled for renovations to meet international standards.
According to a project summary prepared by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the facility at reference will be housed in the former Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL)’s Head Office at 44 High Street, Kingston.

Given that the objective of this massive project is to provide major employment for locals, as well as more opportunities for medium and small-sized enterprises, DDL, the developer, is seeking the EPA’s approval to do some renovations on the building.
Notably, DDL says, the building was constructed in 1981, and has seven floors. The renovation process will take one year.
According to a document made available to the Guyana Chronicle, the World Trade Centers Association (WTCA) is an international non-profit organisation representing a global network of WTCs.

Additionally, its main objective is to foster international trade and investment, as well as to promote economic development and cooperation among the different regions of the world.
“In 2022, DDL acquired a licence for the establishment of the center in Georgetown, Guyana. A strategy to promote the interests of small and medium-sized businesses seeking global connections to thrive locally, in order to ensure their sustainability and contribute to the economic development of the country,” the document says.

Also, WTC Georgetown will grant Guyanese access to programmes in collaboration with over 322 centers in over 91 countries to facilitate their global potential and foster prosperity through trade.
“In addition to all the benefits it will offer to the business community through its network of relationships with centers around the world,” the document says, while adding that the facility will have a space that will promote the attraction of tourists, which will serve as an “enjoyable educational” experience for both Guyanese and foreign visitors.

Further, Executive Director of WTC Georgetown, Wesley Kirton, in an invited comment to the Guyana Chronicle, stated that the aim of the organisation is to provide easier access for Guyanese businesses to enter non-traditional markets.

He told this publication on Monday: “So, we will be able to tap into cities that we are not necessarily looking at with, which have the potential for products and services from Guyana.”
Kirton later went on to say: “What the World Trade Center in Guyana will do is open up opportunities for access to new markets for products and services from Guyana,” while explaining that the WTC has a network of 1,000s of businesses as members or associates that offer services and equipment and so when someone wants to source equipment or products, the WTC Georgetown will make this possible.

Further, this organisation will create employment for locals as Kirton noted that there will be both direct and indirect employment.
With the construction “boom” that is ongoing in Guyana, he also said this that area alone holds tremendous employment.