— tourism, food production, manufacturing set to drive next phase of foreign interest, President Ali says
PRESIDENT, Dr Irfaan Ali recently said more than four international delegations are set to visit Guyana in the coming days to pursue investments in tourism, food production, manufacturing, and value creation.
Speaking at the commissioning of two new aircraft for Jags Aviation and the celebration of the company’s 12th anniversary, Dr Ali said that the world is now looking at Guyana in a fundamentally different way, with investors increasingly focused on the non‑oil economy.
He disclosed that several delegations are due shortly, all targeting diversified opportunities.
“In the coming days, I’ll be welcoming more than four international delegations, all interested not in oil and gas, but in investing in tourism, in investing in food production, investing in manufacturing, and investing in value creation. That does not happen by accident, but by a decisive understanding and a bold communication of the Guyana we want to build,” he said.
The president stressed that this shift did not occur by accident, but is the result of “careful planning” and a decisive understanding of building a diverse economy.
Framing the moment as part of a broader development vision, Dr Ali said the country is on the cusp of an “unbelievable future” for every citizen, provided that Guyanese remain committed to hard work, sacrifice, and national cohesion.
“This country is going to have an unbelievable future. Every citizen of this country will have that, but it will not happen by accident. It is happening because of careful planning. It must happen because of the ability to sacrifice [and] hard work,” he said, adding:
“Nothing can replace hard work. The essentials of success have never changed. Essentials of success remain the ability to work and work hard, the ability to sacrifice and commit, regardless of how much money a country have [sic], [or] how much revenue is coming in.”
He maintained that the current investment wave reflects a deliberate effort to present Guyana internationally, not just as an oil producer, but as a hub for food security, sustainable tourism, and value‑added manufacturing in the wider Caribbean and South American space.
“The world is discovering a Guyana that is completely different,” the President said, adding that the focus on value creation and production is central to ensuring that prosperity is broad‑based and sustainable.
AVIATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE AS ENABLERS
The president used the occasion to situate aviation within the country’s wider diversification agenda, describing air transport as a critical enabler of tourism, investment, and national cohesion.
He reminded the audience that Guyana’s “vast forests, mighty rivers, scattered communities, and immense distances” mean that aviation cannot be treated as a luxury reserved for a few.
“In such a landscape, aviation is not a luxury, it is a lifeline. It connects people to opportunities, it connects producers to markets, it connects families to essential services, it connects remote communities to the broader national economy,” Dr Ali said.
To this end, the president highlighted plans to upgrade and expand airport infrastructure as part of a 10‑point aviation strategy.
He pointed to ongoing work on Terminal Two at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), which he described as a state‑of‑the‑art facility designed to be not just a terminal, it is built as an “experience,” showcasing Guyana’s heritage, culture, biodiversity, and ecosystem.
In addition, he signalled that the long‑discussed Rose Hall Municipal Airport and Lethem Municipal Airport are moving from aspiration to execution, calling them “no longer dreams of the past,” but “realities of the present” that will be built to enhance regional connectivity.
“Visitors are arriving in increasing numbers. Investors are exploring opportunities across our regions. Tourists are seeking authentic experiences,” he said.
These projects, he suggested, will make it easier for in-bound visitors to see opportunities first hand and for domestic producers to reach new markets.
RECASTING GUYANA’S IMAGE
President Ali sought to distance Guyana’s global image from a single‑sector story, insisting that the country must be seen and must present itself as a diversified production centre, a tourism destination and a logistics and aviation hub.
He noted that the government’s focus on value creation, rather than mere extraction or import dependence, is central to ensuring that the benefits of growth are “broad‑based and sustainable,” and that communities across Guyana share in the gains from investment.
