The Parika Port, soon to be transformed into a regional facility, is expected to be equipped with cold storage units and a packaging bay to support Guyana’s agricultural sector and strengthen food trade with the Caribbean region.
The announcement was made by President Dr. Irfaan Ali during a recent visit to Region Three, where he met with farmers and outlined the government’s plans for the development.
The upgraded port will serve as a launchpad for exporting fresh produce directly from Guyana to Caribbean markets.
According to President Ali, the aim is to reduce costs and preserve the quality of perishable goods from the time they are harvested to when they reach the market.
“We’re rebuilding the Parika stelling into an international port so we can export directly into the Caribbean,” he explained. “We’ll have international cold storage and packaging houses, so farmers won’t need to invest individually. That’s how government supports farmers by creating shared infrastructure.”
The President also highlighted ongoing discussions with regional supermarket chains, such as Massy, which operates across Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, St. Vincent, St. Lucia, and even the United States.
The goal is to get Guyanese products on the shelves of retailers across the region.
“Just like Massy brings in products from around the Caribbean, we need them to take our packaged goods to supermarkets across the region,” he said. “Cold storage will help track shelf life and maintain quality.”
Meanwhile, the Parika Port upgrade is part of a larger Ferry Stelling and Waterfront Development Project designed to transform the location into a major transportation and economic hub.
The Ministry of Public Works has allocated funds from its $9.9 billion river transport budget to support this transformation, which also includes dredging key channels in the Demerara and Essequibo rivers and clearing wrecks to ensure safe navigation for larger vessels.
The President noted that the development is not only about export and trade but also about enhancing the daily travel experience for citizens.
He noted that nearly nine million repeat passengers used the water taxis between Vreed-en-Hoop and Georgetown last year alone, reflecting the critical importance of maintaining and upgrading the waterway infrastructure.
Additionally, the President also met with boat operators at Vreed-en-Hoop to discuss the challenges they face and the government’s plans to enhance facilities.
He disclosed that 8.5 million passengers were recorded on the Vreed-en-Hoop–Georgetown route last year, reinforcing the need for urgent improvements.
Among the key upgrades planned are the dredging of the Stabroek and Vreed-en-Hoop channels and the repair or replacement of damaged piles on the Georgetown side.
“We have to raise the standards,” President Ali stressed. “We are making these investments not just for operators but also for the passengers who depend on this route daily.”
