As Guyanese residing in the diaspora demonstrate an increasing interest in the country’s development prospects, arising out of its new found status as an oil-producing country, interest in the prospects for remigration and/or investment ‘back home’ appears to be growing.
At home, entrepreneurial ambitions that the country is ‘open for business’ has led to local interest in sectors that can create links with overseas markets and such benefits as may derive therefrom. In recent years, the Guyanese-American Chamber of Commerce (GACC), a Miami-based organization has been playing a role in creating linkages between emerging Guyanese businesses, predominantly in the agro-processing, craft and fashion industries by not only serving as a facilitator for their participation in the Annual Florida International Trade Expo but also by ensuring that Guyanese businesses participants in the event are adequately accommodated and strategically positioned to secure access to potential markets in parts of the USA.
Recently, the GACC sent unmistakable signals that it intends to play an expanded role in boosting business links between Guyana and the United States through the opportunity afforded by Guyana’s recent emergence as an oil producing country. Just over a week ago, the GACC announced that it was partnering with the Guyana Business Journal and Magazine, a publication which has declared an editorial interest in “exploring and understanding the Guyanese and Caribbean economy’s key issues” to host the forum titled ‘Pathways to Guyana’s Economic Prosperity in this Era of Oil and Gas’ at the Miami-based Miramar Cultural Centre. The release indicated that the forum will feature two Panel Discussions that will seek to share “perspectives on the development of the country’s economy for the benefit of all its people now that significant revenues are being generated from its emerging oil and gas sector.”
“Energy is the lifeblood of human existence, and its global demand will grow as people around the world, especially in developing countries seek a better quality of life. Energy demand is estimated to grow by at least 0.7 per cent annually…Guyana must seek to secure its energy needs through the efficient development of its oil and gas as well as its renewable resources,” GACC Chairman, Eldon Bremner is quoted as saying. The forum, Bremner says, “will provide Guyanese and others in the diaspora (with) an opportunity to discuss the pathways to prosperity for all the Guyanese people and even our brothers and sisters in the CARICOM region whose future food security will depend heavily on Guyana’s ability to supply food to the region.”
The GACC release names Guyana’s former Finance Minister, Carl Greenidge, and the country’s former Ambassador to the United States, Dr. Riyad Insanally, as being among the persons who will address the forum and participate in panel discussions on issues pertaining to Guyana’s oil and gas sector and its implications for the socio-economic development of the society. Stabroek Business has been informed that an invitation was extended to US oil giant ExxonMobil, which is at the centre of Guyana’s ongoing oil search and recovery, to participate in the event.
