Businesses are being urged not to shy away from leveraging the Guyanese diaspora in the United States, as a means of securing international partnerships.
Speaking at the recent “Growing Business with the United States” luncheon hosted by the World Trade Centre Georgetown, former Head of the United States Foreign Commercial Service Arun Venkataraman described overseas-based Guyanese as valuable connections capable of helping establish commercial partnerships and open new markets.
“When you are part of a diaspora, you are already thinking outside of the box. You’re thinking outside of your city, you’re thinking outside of your state.
You have a built-in connection that a lot of local populations don’t have. And so with that diaspora, with that connectivity, you have relationships that can form the core of business partnerships,” he noted.
Venkataraman also assured that partnerships with US firms can provide significant benefits for local businesses through direct investment, employment opportunities, skills development and subcontracting arrangements.
“And that is an advantage that a lot of people do not have. I encourage everyone to draw on your family, draw on your friends. They’re all there.
They’re all ready to do business…take advantage of them…When I was in my position in the Commerce Department promoting American exports.
I would often travel around the United States and speak to our diaspora communities. I myself am from a diaspora community, and I would often point out that there is so much magic in being part of a diaspora,” he related.
The former commerce official identified critical minerals, including Guyana’s high-grade bauxite reserves, as one area where local businesses could align.
Venkataraman further urged the private sector to engage with trade associations and policymakers to help shape future bilateral trade arrangements between Guyana and the United States, particularly in areas of shared strategic interest.
He said the government’s efforts to reinvest revenues into infrastructure, agriculture, manufacturing, tourism and other sectors, combined with pro-investment reforms, have made the country increasingly attractive to foreign investors.
