Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh has credited private sector investment and the efforts of Guyanese workers for helping to drive the country’s economic growth, while reaffirming the government’s commitment to delivering its development agenda.
Speaking publicly on Friday, Singh said businesses’ continued expansion of goods and services was central to the country’s economic performance.
“I want to acknowledge the role that was played by the private sector by continuing to invest so confidently and boldly in Guyana and by continuing to expand their production of goods and services which is really what underlies this economic growth.”
His remarks come against the backdrop of the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) recent assessment of Guyana’s economy, which identified strong public and private investment as key drivers of growth.
In its 2026 Article IV assessment, the Fund reported that the non-oil economy expanded by 14 per cent in 2025, with strong oil and non-oil activity continuing into the first half of 2026.
Singh also recognised workers across the country, describing their contribution as essential to the government’s achievements and future plans.
He acknowledged “the tremendous role played by Guyanese workers, men and women throughout the length and breadth of Guyana who contributed to this productive effort and who continue to contribute to this productive effort”.
The minister said their work would remain at the core of what the country achieves over the next five years and beyond.
The IMF’s assessment also pointed to changes in the labour market, with unemployment declining from 12.8 per cent in 2020 to 6.2 per cent in 2025, while employment increased by nearly 60 per cent.
However, the Fund highlighted labour shortages as a challenge accompanying the rapid expansion, underscoring the importance of developing the workforce to sustain growth.14:30
