Guyana's forestry sector covers approximately 18 million hectares, representing 87% of the country's land area, making it the second-highest percentage of forest cover globally. With around 12.5 million hectares designated as state forests, and an annual harvest of only 25-35% of sustainable capacity, the sector remains underutilized. The forestry sector plays a critical role in the economy, providing direct employment to around 22,500 people and producing 441,500 cubic meters of timber in 2022. The country follows strict sustainable forest management practices, with detailed monitoring systems in place to ensure traceability and low-impact logging techniques.

Guyana's forestry sector is a cornerstone of its green economy, with significant contributions from carbon credit earnings reflecting its commitment to sustainable practices. The country's Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) not only aims to protect vast forest areas but also leverages these assets economically. 

Investment Opportunities and Incentives

There are several investment opportunities within Guyana's forestry sector, including primary extraction, downstream processing, and value-added production such as prefab houses, furniture, and flooring. Investors can also explore joint ventures with local operators and participate in reforestation projects across 200,000 hectares of degraded lands. Non-timber forest products like Kuffa and Nibbi offer additional potential, especially for furniture making and the hotel industry, as well as the harvesting and commercializing non-timber products like fruits, nuts, oils, and medicinal plants, which are abundant in Guyanese forests).

Incentives for investors include duty-free concessions on logging machinery, fuel tax exemptions, and support for infrastructure development. Additionally, the government offers attractive financing options, such as a $900M revolving fund to support growth in the sector.