Foreign companies are eager to enter Guyana's growing market but struggle to find local suppliers able to deliver consistently and at scale.
This is according to US Ambassador to Guyana Nicole D. Theriot, who said on Tuesday that building local business capacity, transferring technical expertise and forging international partnerships are critical if Guyanese companies are to compete in global markets.

Addressing the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) business luncheon at the Guyana Marriott Hotel, she said investors also face hurdles in logistics, tax predictability, access to land and skilled workers.

"What companies tell me time and time again is that they struggle to find local partners who can deliver at scale. They also face potential hurdles like logistics. And unpredictable tax regimes and access to land and skilled workers. Those are the five things I hear consistently," she said.
To address those concerns, Theriot said, successful partnerships must go beyond foreign investment to include technology transfer, workforce training, stronger quality-control systems and compliance with international standards.

She noted that opportunities exist in agro-processing, agricultural technology, cold-chain logistics, infrastructure, healthcare, housing and digital technologies, and that US companies have expressed interest in investing across these sectors.

To help local firms tap into that interest, the Ambassador said the US Embassy's Commercial Service connects American companies with vetted Guyanese business partners. She urged local firms to strengthen their capacity to meet the requirements of international buyers.
However, access to markets alone is not enough, she said, adding that businesses must assess whether they can consistently deliver quality products, meet certification requirements and scale production to accommodate increased demand.

"Our job at the US Embassy is not to pick winners and we do not guarantee contracts. Our job is to build connections," Theriot said.
Looking beyond the domestic market, she called for greater ambition among Guyanese businesses, including expanding the presence of locally manufactured products across the Caribbean and in international markets, and positioning local firms to become full-fledged partners and investors.

The luncheon was held under the theme "Building the Bridge: Local Capacity, Global Partnership."