President Dr Irfaan Ali on Tuesday outlined plans to significantly expand wealth-creation opportunities for Guyanese by opening up broader access to capital markets, including the establishment of a junior stock exchange aimed at small investors and emerging companies.
Speaking during an announcement yesterday, the President said his government intends to structure new investment vehicles that will allow citizens, particularly small domestic investors, to participate directly in equity and fixed-income instruments such as bonds, with opportunities for guaranteed returns.
He explained that the initiative is designed to ensure ordinary Guyanese can invest safely and benefit from national development, noting that specific projects will be structured to allow direct public participation. Among the examples cited was a proposed fertiliser plant, which the President said would be owned by Guyanese at home and in the diaspora, who would invest directly and receive a guaranteed fixed return.
The President also announced that local participation will be prioritised in the development of a glass manufacturing industry, with Guyanese investors and members of the diaspora being invited to take part in the establishment of new industrial hubs within the country.
Central to the broader strategy is the creation of a junior stock exchange, which President Ali said will allow small and emerging companies to raise capital under less stringent regulatory requirements than those governing the main or senior stock exchange. He noted that the platform will also serve as an additional investment option for Guyanese with savings who are seeking relatively low-risk opportunities.
According to the Head of State, these measures are intended to build an integrated financial ecosystem where improved financial knowledge, expanded access to capital and new investment avenues come together. He said the overall objective is to ensure that Guyana’s growing prosperity is shared widely and inclusively, allowing every citizen to participate meaningfully in the country’s economic advancement.
