A joint venture or broader industry consortium could be key to lowering the cost of bottled water, the Private Sector Commission (PSC) said during talks with Public Utilities and Aviation Minister Deodat Indar.
The meeting followed the Government’s recent approval of funding for a state-owned bottled water initiative under Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), and focused on improving affordability, strengthening local production and enhancing the long-term competitiveness of the sector.
The PSC team included Chairman Capt Gerald Gouveia Jr, Vice Chairwoman Kathy Smith, Honorary Secretary Josephine Tapp-Rutherford, Trade and Investment Committee Chairman Timothy Tucker, other PSC members, representatives of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA), and local bottled water manufacturers.
Participants agreed the rising cost of bottled water is a shared concern, and that reducing production and retail costs should remain a common objective in the interest of consumers.
Gouveia proposed exploring standardisation of PET preforms and local manufacturing partnerships, while the private sector expressed willingness to explore a broader consortium for joint investment, subject to further technical and commercial assessment.
Participants agreed retail prices are shaped by more than production costs, and discussed related regulatory and trade issues, including enforcement against substandard imports and fair market access for Guyanese manufacturers.
Indar reaffirmed the Government’s objective of ensuring affordable access to safe drinking water for all Guyanese. The PSC underscored the importance of continued engagement with manufacturers on practical, market-based solutions.
A follow-up meeting will be convened with bottled water manufacturers to further examine standardisation, local manufacturing and other measures to reduce costs and support industry competitiveness.
