Guyana stands to gain significantly from full membership in the South American trade bloc Mercosur, Brazil’s Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Philip Fox-Drummond Gough, said on Monday.
Speaking at a trade opportunities forum hosted by the World Trade Centre Georgetown and the Embassy of Brazil, he said Mercosur would provide Guyana with expanded market access and support diversification of its exports.
Guyana is currently an associate member of the bloc, which promotes free trade and regional integration among South American economies.
Fox-Drummond Gough said full membership would grant access to wider markets, including partners such as the European Union and Singapore, under Mercosur’s trade frameworks.
“Guyana is developing a lot and the tendency is for diversification of its exports. Access to a market the size of Mercosur could be a good advantage,” he said.
He noted that intra-bloc trade is largely driven by manufactured goods, adding that deeper integration could create new opportunities for Guyana’s evolving export base.
Beyond trade, he said full membership would advance cooperation in areas such as finance and technical assistance, while also strengthening political and social ties, including frameworks related to health, education and border issues.
