Trinidad and Tobago’s business community has been given a sharp wake-up call: Guyana is growing fast — and local firms risk being left behind if they don’t act quickly. Minister of Public Works, Hon. Bishop Juan Edghill delivered the message at a Rotary Club of Port of Spain West luncheon on October 1.
He painted a picture of a transforming Guyana. “What was once among the poorer nations in the region is now leading in economic growth”, he said. He noted that the country is using oil revenue—particularly via contracts with ExxonMobil—to finance large-scale infrastructure, free education, cheaper electricity via gas-to-energy projects, housing, schools, roads and hospitals.
The Public Works Minister warned that as Guyana strengthens its domestic capacity—reducing import needs in energy, electricity, infrastructure and services—Trinidad & Tobago’s traditional export advantages may diminish.
He identified several sectors with particular promise: agriculture (hydroponics, poultry, agro-processing), construction and infrastructure, logistics and services (especially cold chain, last-mile delivery, invoice financing for small and medium enterprises).
Minister Edghill also emphasized sustainability and adherence to global best practices — businesses that align with UN Sustainable Development Goals and responsible business conduct will find greater credibility and easier access to international partnerships.
He also acknowledged significant challenges: labour shortages, high real estate and housing costs, especially for foreign or incoming workers, bureaucratic delay and inflationary pressure. The local content regime, while producing gains (he says over US$1.5 billion in contracts have been secured by Guyanese firms since 2021), still has “capacity gaps” and issues with transparency.
Additionally, Minister Edghill urged TT companies to use agencies like Guyana’s GO-Invest (Guyana Office for Investment) to navigate regulatory, fiscal, and partnership opportunities. GO-Invest is presented as a one-stop gateway for both foreign and domestic investment — assisting with incentives, connecting investors with local partners, and reducing information asymmetry.
