Croal made the remarks on Wednesday at a ribbon-cutting ceremony for US Frame Factory at its Cove and John warehouse, where the company showcased construction technology intended to support affordable housing for low-income households.

The ceremony featured a steel-frame home structure designed for the low-income category of Guyana’s housing programme. Those attending also toured a three-storey building constructed using the company’s technology.

According to a Ministry of Housing release, Croal said achieving the Government’s housing target requires attention beyond the number of houses being constructed, including how efficiently they are delivered and the quality of the finished structures.

“Modern construction methods, including steel-framing, modular and prefabricated housing, present opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce construction timelines, strengthen quality control, and explore more durable, energy-efficient and climate-resilient building solutions,” the release stated.

The Minister said US Frame Factory’s establishment introduces opportunities for modern manufacturing techniques to complement traditional construction practices as Guyana’s housing programme expands.

He described housing as a key pillar of national development, noting that the Government continues to prioritise affordable homes, improved living conditions and communities where families can build secure futures.

Croal also stressed that Guyanese must benefit directly from the introduction of new construction technologies.

According to the release, the investment has the potential to create jobs, develop technical skills and strengthen the ability of local contractors to participate in major projects. It could also generate opportunities for Guyanese suppliers and service providers.

The Minister welcomed the investment as an example of cooperation between Guyana and the United States through technology, innovation and commercial partnerships.

CH&PA Chief Executive Officer Dr. Martin Pertab and United States Ambassador to Guyana Nicole Theriot attended the ceremony, along with private sector representatives, engineers, contractors and Ministry staff.

Meanwhile, the release said Golden Shield Homes plans to establish a manufacturing and training facility in Guyana, with the potential to produce components for 10,000 houses. It did not provide a timeline for that facility’s establishment.

Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony recently visited the construction site and reported that work on the modern facility is moving ahead steadily.

Once completed, the hospital is expected to reduce the need for residents to travel to Georgetown for some specialised treatment and medical tests.

Among the services planned for the facility are computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. The hospital is also expected to have cardiac catheterisation capabilities, allowing for improved diagnosis and treatment of certain heart conditions.

The additional technology and specialist services are expected to strengthen healthcare delivery in Region Three while providing patients with easier access to more complex medical investigations.

Healthcare workers are also expected to benefit from improved facilities and a more modern working environment.

The West Demerara Hospital forms part of the government’s wider programme to expand and modernise public healthcare infrastructure across Guyana through new hospitals, upgraded facilities and improved medical technology.

Construction remains ongoing, with the facility currently targeted to begin serving patients in late 2027.

The inspection continues as part as the Government drive to enhance recreational spaces and promote healthier, more vibrant communities.
The Minister visited recreational facilities at Anna Catherina, Leonora Grass Field and Meten-Meer-Zorg, where infrastructural upgrades are underway to transform the grounds into modern, family-friendly recreational spaces.

Speaking during his visit to Anna Catherina, Minister Croal explained that the works form part of a wider national initiative involving the development of nearly 30 recreational facilities across the country, in collaboration with the Office of the First Lady.

The Minister noted that the first phase of development focuses on the construction of perimeter fencing, concrete drainage, sanitation facilities and ground filling to ensure the spaces are properly prepared for recreational use.

At Anna Catherina, where several two-bedroom housing units were previously constructed, works on the perimeter fence are nearing completion, while the concrete drainage system has already been completed.

The next stage will see the construction of washroom facilities and the raising of the ground level to address the low-lying nature of the area and improve drainage.
Minister Croal explained that the second phase will focus on further enhancing the grounds with recreational amenities, including children’s play equipment and other facilities, with support from the Office of the First Lady.

Similar infrastructural improvements are being undertaken at the Leonora Grass Field and Meten-Meer-Zorg recreational grounds.
The Minister emphasised that the development of recreational spaces remains an important component of the Government’s broader housing and community development agenda.

He noted that, beyond providing housing and essential infrastructure, the Ministry is committed to creating wholesome communities where families can enjoy safe spaces for exercise, leisure and social interaction.

The three facilities are among several being upgraded nationwide as the Ministry continues to integrate recreational and community amenities into existing and emerging housing developments.

And this won’t just be a facelift.

DPI is reporting the existing zoo will be transformed into a Wildlife Sanctuary, with larger, more natural habitats and improved facilities for animals.

Visitors can also look forward to a Discovery Centre with an aquarium, a treetop SkyTrail connecting five observation towers, a Roraima-inspired waterfall, canoeing, themed gardens and a nature-inspired children’s play area.

A new entrance is also planned along Homestretch Avenue, while an amphitheatre is already taking shape near the National Cultural Centre.

The redevelopment will preserve the Gardens’ mature trees and familiar landmarks while adding new attractions and educational experiences.

Construction is already underway, with foundations, internal roads and the removal of most old enclosures targeted for completion by the end of 2026.

The president listed the project among major infrastructure works in the government’s second phase of development.

“The reality is that in a couple of weeks, we will open the new four-lane Wismar Bridge,”the president said.

The US$35 million bridge replaces a crossing built by the Demerara Bauxite Company in 1966-1967 with a single-lane railway track, originally to move bauxite from the West Bank mines to the processsing plant on the East Bank. Over the decades, the ageing structure became a bottleneck.

The new 220-metre precast bridge is being built by China Railway Construction (Caribbean) Co Ltd.

It mirrors the design of the Bharrat Jagdeo Demerara River Bridge and will have four vehicular lanes and two pedestrian walkways, with clear passage for hopper barges beneath.

Roundabouts on both sides will link it to the Linden-Mabura Road and the wider highway network, and the connecting roads are being expanded to four lanes.

The contract was signed in January 2024, and works started in April that year. The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration has also made the bridge toll-free, a policy decision aimed at cutting travel costs and improving regional connectivity.

The bridge forms part of the road corridor to Brazil. President Ali noted that more than 120 kilometres of the Linden-to-Brazil road have already been completed, a second phase has been awarded, and all the bridges along the route are finished. The Kurupukari Bridge across the Essequibo River is next in line.

“These are not dreams…These are active projects that we must deliver,”the president said.

The commitments emerged from a working meeting in New York on Monday between President Dr. Irfaan Ali and US EXIM President and Chairman John Jovanovic, as both sides discussed existing projects and possible financing structures for new investments.

The Guyanese Leader said the meeting focused heavily on ensuring completion of the first Gas-to-Energy project while advancing financing for a second phase.

“Having GTE-1 completed, having GTE-2 financed, with EXIM committing to be a part of that,” the President said as he outlined the areas discussed.

Jovanovic similarly said US EXIM remains “deeply committed” to seeing the first project completed and a second project developed.

“We are deeply committed to ensuring that GT1 is completed, but that GT2 is brought to life,” Jovanovic said.

He described reliable electricity and power generation as a foundation for Guyana’s industrialisation plans.

The US agency is already a major financier of Guyana’s first Gas-to-Energy project. In December 2024, its board approved US$527 million in financing for the development, including the 300-megawatt combined-cycle power plant and natural gas separation facility at Wales.

Ali said Monday’s talks also advanced discussions around a deep-water port, with US EXIM expected to participate in a financing structure for the project.

“I’m very happy at the outcome of our meeting that EXIM would be part of a structure that would see the investment in this port,” Ali said.

Jovanovic confirmed that the bank and other international partners had discussed the port as part of a wider portfolio of critical infrastructure projects.

The discussions build on earlier engagement between Guyana and US EXIM. During Jovanovic’s visit to Guyana in April, the bank disclosed that a letter of interest had been issued for the development of deep-water ports.

The renewed talks come as Guyana separately examines financing options for a proposed Berbice deep-water port, which Ali recently described as a critical part of the country’s wider infrastructure and industrial development plans.

Ali said US EXIM is also looking beyond energy and port infrastructure, with discussions covering housing, security and other areas.

He specifically pointed to interest in the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project and the development of the Lethem Airport.

The President said US EXIM was looking at supporting US companies interested in participating in the hydropower project while also being involved in the airport development.

Jovanovic, meanwhile, highlighted an affordable housing construction project being advanced with US companies and businesses.

“We are also very fortunate to be advancing the Affordable Housing Construction Project in partnership with U.S. companies and U.S. businesses,” he said.

Guyana has long identified hydropower as part of its planned transition to a broader energy mix. The Amaila Falls project has featured in the country’s Low Carbon Development Strategy as a potential source of renewable power for the national grid.

Jovanovic visited Guyana in April, when he toured the Gas-to-Energy project at Wales and met Ali and other officials to discuss further US-backed investments in infrastructure and energy.

Ali said the latest talks reflected US EXIM’s willingness to work with Guyana and international stakeholders to find financing solutions for both existing and planned projects.

Jovanovic, who has served as US EXIM’s President and Chairman since 2025, said the institution wants to expand its partnership with Guyana through projects involving US technology, companies and financing.

The Ministry of Finance, in its 2026 Mid-Year Report, said the sector remains one of the principal drivers of growth in the country’s non-oil economy.

“The construction sector is estimated to have expanded by 24.7 percent in the first half of year,” the report stated.

The Ministry attributed the performance to the Government’s expanded Public Sector Investment Programme (PSIP), coupled with private investment across several industries.

With that investment expected to maintain momentum during the remaining six months, the Ministry has projected that the construction sector will expand by 27.6 per cent for the full year. 

The strong construction performance comes as Guyana’s overall economy grew by an estimated 33.3 per cent during the first half of the year, while the non-oil economy expanded by 10.1 per cent.

According to the report, growth in the non-oil economy was driven principally by construction, services and mining. Overall economic growth for 2026 is now projected at 20.8 per cent, with non-oil growth forecast at 10.2 per cent. 

Public investment remains key driver

Government’s investment programme continues to provide significant activity for the construction industry.

PSIP expenditure reached $248.9 billion at the end of June, marginally above the $247 billion spent during the corresponding period last year.

Spending on the domestic portfolio increased by $8.4 billion to $223.4 billion, while $25.5 billion was spent on foreign-funded projects.

The Government has since revised the total PSIP for 2026 upward from $779.6 billion to $829.7 billion, primarily to accommodate additional investment in power generation and distribution, housing and public infrastructure projects. 

The pace of construction is also being reflected in demand for raw materials.

The Mid-Year Report said the other mining and quarrying subsector, which includes sand, stone, diamonds and manganese, grew by an estimated 40 per cent during the first six months.

That performance was driven by what the Ministry described as the “continued surge in construction activity in both the public and private sector.”

Sand declarations increased by 61.7 per cent, while stone declarations rose by 2.3 per cent. Those increases outweighed declines in manganese production and diamond declarations. 

Imports also provide another indication of construction-related demand. During the first half of the year, imports of building materials increased by US$40.1 million compared with the corresponding period in 2025. 

Labour demand remains a challenge

The expansion is taking place as Guyana faces increasing demand for workers across several professions and skill areas.

Elsewhere in the Mid-Year Report, the Ministry warned that the country’s labour-market challenge has increasingly shifted from creating jobs to ensuring that workers with the necessary skills are available to fill them.

This is particularly relevant to industries experiencing rapid expansion, with shortages in technical and professional skills carrying the risk of project delays, higher labour costs and difficulties in service delivery.

Against that backdrop, technical and vocational training is being expanded in areas relevant to construction and other industries, including electrical installation, welding and fabrication, plumbing, furniture making, heavy-duty equipment operation and masonry.

The Government also intends to conduct sector-specific manpower studies during the second half of 2026 to better determine labour requirements in areas where shortages exist.

The Minister was joined by; Regional Chairman, Mr Inshan Ayube; Regional Vice Chairwoman, Ms Anjanie Narine, Regional Executive Officer, Mr Surrendra Khayyam and Programme Manager with responsibility for Markets at the Ministry of Local Government & Regional Development, Ms. Anjanie Ramlall, for the ceremony marking the start of works on the $1,398,771,067 project.

The Minister said: “The development is happening, and before the end of the year, we will turn the sod for Port Mourant, La Penitence, Lusignan, Soesdyke, Skeldon, McKenzie and Plaisance, even as we work on restoring and extending the Stabroek Market and building a brand new Bourda Market. A market is a place of community. It’s a place that encourages economic growth. It’s a place that fosters creativity and entrepreneurship.

“We are a people who listen. But it’s also very easy to get distracted and believe you’re not loved, when there is visible evidence around you of that love we speak of for the people of this country. Every time you pass this construction, remember that it is a sign of our love for you. Every time you come in here to shop, remember that is evidence that we love you. And every time you come in here to sell, remember that we want you and your family to do better, to earn more, to have more in your pockets, to extend your house, to send your children to school, to buy a car, to thrive.”

Regional Chairman, Mr Inshan Ayube, also addressed the gathering, stated:

“Across Region Three we, as the government, can hold our heads high with the tremendous development taking place. And when we talk about development, we are not only talking about roads or markets – we are talking about our educational institutions, we are talking about health facilities, we are talking about anything that impacts positively on the lives of our people.

“This government is upgrading, and there is not an iota of doubt that this is a government for the people. Schools are being upgraded, health centres are being upgraded, roads are being upgraded. It is also important that we have a culture of upgrading because it generates revenue, and once revenue is being generated, more business will be done in the market.

“All the housing schemes that are being built now will impact positively on the market, because once houses are being built, money flows and people come up. So we have a whole collaboration of efforts that will be beneficial to the people. I must applaud the Minister and her team for the tremendous effort put in place so that we can be here this afternoon. Our President is very passionate about these developments, and he is the driving force behind all of this development as it relates to markets, roads and so on.”

The market will be constructed in four lots by contractors Jettoo’s Construction, Platinum Investments Inc., B.M. Property Investment Inc., and Superior Supplies & General Construction, with GR Engineering serving as the project’s consultant. The contracts were awarded through a competitive bidding process in accordance with the Public Procurement Act.

Approximately 54 vendors currently operate along the reserve and on the streets within the Zeelugt community. The new market will accommodate more than 90 vendors, significantly increasing available vending capacity and providing a more organised, safe, and suitable environment for vendors to conduct their businesses.

The new Zeelugt Market is being developed as a modern, well-planned commercial facility designed to improve trading conditions, enhance accessibility, and provide a comfortable and secure environment for vendors and shoppers alike.

Key features of the facility will include a dedicated children’s play area; administrative offices and training facilities; parking facilities for vendors and customers, along with a designated taxi bay; vendor stalls organised into designated sections for meat and fish, fresh produce, prepared foods, beauty and personal care products, and other goods and services to facilitate efficient operations and ease of access for customers; and modern washroom facilities, an integrated waste management system, and comprehensive security measures to support a clean, safe, and well-maintained market environment.

The construction of the Zeelugt Market forms part of the Government’s ongoing efforts to modernise vending infrastructure and improve economic opportunities for vendors and residents across Region Three.

The Ministry of Finance, in its 2026 Mid-Year Report, said the challenge facing the country’s labour market has shifted from generating employment opportunities to ensuring that enough suitably skilled workers are available to fill them.

“Despite the growth observed in Guyana’s population and labour force participation, the binding constraint faced is no longer the creation of jobs, but the supply and composition of the skills available to fill them,” the report stated. 

According to the report, shortages are particularly evident in specific technical and professional disciplines and could have broader implications for the country’s development programme.

It warned that these shortages carry the risk of delaying the implementation of important projects and diminishing the quality of service delivery.

The situation could also place upward pressure on labour costs in both the public and private sectors as employers compete for a limited pool of workers possessing the required skills.

The Ministry said these developments warrant continued monitoring. 

Earlier in the report, the Government noted that Guyana’s economic growth has resulted in a sustained increase in demand for workers across a range of professions and skill areas, with that demand outpacing the existing labour supply.

The situation is being compounded by mismatches between the skills employers require and those currently available within the workforce. 

Against this backdrop, the Government said it has accelerated efforts to expand training across the public sector while using tertiary and technical and vocational education to address skills gaps.

This includes providing free education and training opportunities to both school-age and working-age persons.

The report noted that increased budgetary allocations have also been directed towards training in several sectors as the Government seeks to raise labour-force participation and address gaps created by growing demand. 

At the same time, the administration expects labour demand to remain ahead of the available supply in the near term.

Government said it is monitoring wage pressures and taking steps to increase the participation of Guyanese nationals in the workforce while also seeking to attract members of the diaspora and non-nationals as part of its response to the labour shortage. 

Manpower studies planned

As part of efforts to better determine where workers are needed, the Government intends to undertake sector-specific manpower studies during the second half of 2026.

According to the Mid-Year Report, the studies will be used to determine labour requirements in key sectors where constraints currently exist. 

The findings could provide a clearer picture of the types of workers and skills required as the economy continues to expand and would complement efforts to align training programmes with labour-market needs.

Technical and vocational education and training (TVET) forms a significant part of the Government’s response.

The report said training is continuing in areas including electrical installation, welding and fabrication, plumbing and furniture making, as efforts are made to align programmes more closely with the needs of the workforce. 

The Board of Industrial Training (BIT) has also been conducting programmes in several other areas.

Of the $723.1 million allocated to BIT for 2026, $305.1 million was spent during the first half of the year to train 706 persons in areas including heavy-duty equipment operation, information technology, masonry and social work.

BIT also began training 12 persons with disabilities in Region Six in drone and robotics technology, in collaboration with the Guyana Council of Organisations for Persons with Disabilities.

Efforts are also underway to better connect vocational training with actual employment requirements.

The report disclosed that BIT began engagements to establish sector skills council bodies, which are expected to analyse labour-market trends and help align vocational programmes with the specific skills being demanded by employers.

A Technical Vocational Education and Training Education Management Information System is also expected to be launched during the second half of 2026.

The system will track the performance of students and teachers as well as academic records, while an online dashboard is expected to provide information on programmes being offered by TVET institutions.

According to the report, the platform will also allow the public and private sectors to access information on the number of persons being trained under individual programmes and completion rates for prospective graduates entering the workforce.

Meanwhile, the Guyana Technical Training College recorded another batch of 20 graduates in April, bringing the number of persons who have benefited from training using its Facility Simulator to more than 70.

Another 28 persons were undergoing training in mechanical, electrical, instrumentation and production disciplines, while construction of a practical instructional centre at Mahdia is expected to begin before the end of the year.

The Government is also seeking to broaden access to these opportunities beyond the main population centres.

Additional investment during the second half of the year is expected to expand education, technical and vocational training and employment opportunities closer to hinterland and remote communities. Youth skills training is also expected to be expanded across the country.

The report further linked the labour-market response to efforts to increase productivity within the existing workforce. It said Government policy will continue supporting greater adoption of technology to improve efficiency and allow businesses to expand their operations.

It also pointed to concessional financing through a new development bank as a measure expected to encourage entrepreneurship and employment, while grants supporting activities in the orange economy, agriculture and services are expected to continue.

With demand for labour expected to continue exceeding supply in the near term, the Government’s approach is therefore centred on increasing participation in the workforce, expanding and better targeting training, improving productivity and determining more precisely where the country’s most pressing skills shortages exist.