Trade and business opportunities between Guyana and Brazil were highlighted during a forum on Tuesday aimed at strengthening economic ties through the South American trade bloc Mercosur.
The discussion, hosted by the World Trade Centre (WTC) Georgetown and the Embassy of Brazil, brought together officials and business representatives to explore areas of cooperation in trade, logistics, agriculture, energy, infrastructure, tourism, manufacturing and services.
WTC Georgetown Executive Director Wesley Kirton said the forum comes at a time of expanding economic engagement between the two countries, noting opportunities for strategic partnerships.
“As Guyana continues its economic transformation and with Brazil advancing its role as a major economy in our hemisphere, the opportunities for collaboration are particularly significant,” Kirton said.
He added that closer cooperation also presents broader opportunities for CARICOM and Mercosur member states, with Guyana positioned as a “bridge” between the Caribbean and South America.
“Increased cooperation between CARICOM and Mercosur can support greater market access, improved transportation, expanded investment flows, and stronger regional value chains,” he said.
In a featured address, Brazil’s Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Philip Fox-Drummond Gough, called for an upgrade in trade relations between the two countries.
He said this could be pursued through bilateral engagement as well as deeper regional integration, adding that Brazil would welcome Guyana as a full member of Mercosur.
“There are several ways we can do this… we would gladly see Guyana as a full member of Mercosur,” Gough said, noting that expanded market access would support Guyana’s export diversification efforts.
Mercosur is a South American trade bloc that promotes free trade and regional economic integration among member states.
