Guyana's, agriculture and agro-processing sector is poised for transformative growth, supported by strategic government initiatives aimed at enhancing regional food security and economic resilience. By integrating advanced technologies, the Government of Guyana is actively pursuing ambitious food-security objectives. Moreover, in a bold move to revitalize the Caribbean's agricultural landscape, Guyana is spearheading efforts to dismantle trade barriers.

This initiative is central to a broader Guyana-led plan designed to reduce CARICOM's substantial food import bill by 25% by the year 2025. These actions not only underscore Guyana's commitment to agricultural innovation but also highlight its leadership role in fostering a more self-sufficient and sustainable Caribbean community. 

Investment Opportunities in Agriculture:

1. Cattle, Pig and Poultry rearing
2. Dairy and Dairy Products
3. Corn and Soya
4. Rice
5. Coconuts and Value-Added Products
6. Fruits
7. Herbs and Spices
8. Niche Vegetables and Non-Traditional Crops
9. Honey Production

Value-Added Investment Opportunities:

10. Abattoir and Packing House
11. Seafood and Fish Processing Operation
12. Large Scale Integrated Farms – Fruits & Vegetables, Aquaculture etc.
13. Canning and Packaging of Fruits and Vegetables
14. Certified Organic Farms
15. Horticulture
16. Herbal Teas/Essential Oils Production
17. Animal Feed Production (Rice Bran, Wheat Middling, etc.)

Guyana’s energy landscape is dominated by the burgeoning oil and gas sector, with significant recent discoveries that position the country as a major player in the global energy market. Guyana’s recent oil discoveries represent one of the most prolific of this century, boasting 11 billion barrels of proven oil reserves and an estimated recoverable natural gas reserve of approximately 17 trillion cubic feet. The country now ranks as the third largest in Latin America and the 17th largest globally in terms of oil reserves. Guyana's key offshore block, the Stabroek block, has been hailed as one of the most important oil and gas blocks in recent history, leading to substantial economic growth. By 2027, daily oil production is expected to reach 1.3 million barrels per day, with several projects in development, including Payara, Yellowtail, Uaru, and Whiptail.

Aside from oil, Guyana is making strides in gas development. The gas-to-energy project, slated for completion by 2025, will significantly reduce electricity costs by up to 50% and support economic diversification. This project is expected to supply 300 MW of electricity to the national grid, making it a transformative initiative for the country's energy future. Guyana is also becoming a key regional energy hub while focusing on sustainable practices. The country is adopting natural gas for cleaner power generation and facilitating investments in renewable energy, including a major hydropower project underway to improve national grid power.

As Guyana aims to be among the last oil producers, providing cleaner fuels, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo underscores this commitment: "We will remain carbon negative even when we are producing 1.5 million barrels per day." This approach highlights Guyana's efforts to enhance energy capabilities while prioritizing environmental sustainability.

Investment Opportunities in Guyana’s Energy Sector

Guyana offers numerous opportunities for investors in its energy sector, particularly in the monetization of gas. The projected increase in gas production—estimated at 17 trillion cubic feet—opens avenues for various applications, including:

• Gas-to-Energy Projects: These initiatives will leverage natural gas to generate electricity, providing a sustainable and cost-effective energy solution while creating additional power generation capacity.
• Industrial Uses: Natural gas can be used as a feedstock for petrochemical plants and other industrial applications, fostering new manufacturing opportunities within Guyana.
• Export Potential: With increasing global demand for liquefied natural gas (LNG), Guyana is positioned to develop infrastructure for LNG exports, further capitalizing on its gas reserves.

The growing oil and gas industry presents a wealth of opportunities for support companies to provide goods and services. The Local Content Act of 2021 encourages foreign companies’ partnership with Guyanese firms in key areas withing the Oil and Gas economy, creating avenues for mutually beneficial collaborations.

Other areas for investment include in Solar and Wind Energy and other green and renewable energy such as biomass, Onshore and offshore oil exploration, and Oil block development. 

Investment incentives include tax exemptions for new investments, accelerated depreciation on equipment, and duty-free importation of machinery for renewable energy and oil-related projects. Additionally, the government offers attractive fiscal incentives for infrastructure development, including roads, ports, and energy facilities.

As Guyana aims to diversify its economy to avoid over-reliance on oil, opportunities in renewable energy (hydro, solar, and wind), manufacturing, and services sectors are emerging. The planned expansion of coastal grids and electrification of hinterland areas offer further prospects for investors.

Guyana’s geographic location, political stability, and pro-business government policies, including tax exemptions, make it an attractive destination for energy investments. With continued oil production growth, the country is expected to remain one of the fastest-growing economies globally in the coming years.

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. 

Guyana's ICT sector is rapidly growing, with the government's vision to transform the country into a knowledge-based, globally competitive society. The liberalization of the telecommunications sector, alongside a high literacy rate and the expansion of 4G coverage and digital infrastructure, positions Guyana as a strategic ICT hub in the region. Projects like the Hinterland Poor and Remote Communities initiative aim to bridge the digital divide, bringing internet connectivity to nearly 100,000 residents in remote areas. The government is also focused on enhancing ICT literacy providing school curricula, providing training programs, and promoting e-governance, which will streamline government services and improve business productivity.

Investment Opportunities and Incentives

Guyana offers diverse investment opportunities within the ICT sector, including in Business Process Outsourcing (BPO):

• Back Office (Administration, Information Technology (IT), Human Resources, Payroll and Accounting)
• Knowledge process outsourcing (KPO) (Insurance, content creation, web design, product development and healthcare)

Opportunities also exist in call centers, data processing services, software development, and telecommunications services. The demand for ICT-driven ventures, such as computer assembly factories, e-tourism platforms, and data centers, is growing, fueled by the country's strategic positioning and its time zone advantage. The government has set a goal to create 25,000 ICT-related jobs within five years, particularly through new call centers and ICT enterprises.

Incentives for investors include VAT exemptions on cell phones, data, and ICT equipment, full waivers on import duties for machinery and materials, and tax holidays for qualified investments. Additional support includes training grants, access to utilities, and work permits for specialized foreign workers. These incentives aim to stimulate the growth of the ICT sector and enhance Guyana's digital economy​.

The manufacturing sector in Guyana plays a significant role in the country's economy, contributing 5.1% to non-oil GDP and employing about 12% of the population. The sector is projected to grow by 14.5% in 2024, driven by the production of sugar, rice, and other goods, as well as expansions in industries such as cement, chemicals, and fabricated metal products. Guyana's strategic geographic location, abundant natural resources, and competitive labour market make it an attractive hub for manufacturing. The country offers easy access to Caribbean, South American, and North American markets, with 75% of exports enjoying duty-free access.

Guyana's manufacturing sector is also on the brink of a significant leap in global competitiveness, driven by transformative initiatives such as the Gas to Energy Project. This pivotal project is expected to substantially lower energy costs, thereby enhancing the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of manufacturing operations. 

Investment Opportunities and Incentives

Guyana offers a broad range of investment opportunities in manufacturing, including agro-processing, value-added forest products, pharmaceuticals, construction materials, chemical production, and packaging. Additionally, opportunities exist in industries such as metal fabrication, garment production, and the manufacturing of eco-friendly prefabricated houses. Investors can also benefit from Guyana's abundant natural resources like timber and minerals, which provide low-cost inputs for various industries.

To support investment, the government offers numerous incentives, such as duty-free access to raw materials, machinery, and packaging equipment. VAT exemptions are available for registered manufacturers, and there are tax breaks for businesses that export over 50% of their products. Additional incentives include zero VAT on building materials, electricity, and water, as well as support for small businesses through grants, reduced tax rates, and training opportunities​.

Guyana’s mining sector is well-established, contributing significantly to the country's economy through the extraction of gold, diamonds, bauxite, and other quarriable materials such as sand and stone. The country has vast geological potential, with around 36% of its landmass consisting of highly mineralized crust, including the Greenstone Belts and the Roraima Formation. Gold remains a major contributor to the economy, representing 8.3% of GDP and 58.2% of non-oil export earnings. The sector also includes untapped opportunities in semi-precious minerals, rare earth elements, and industrial minerals like kaolin and potash. The mining sector is projected to grow by 34.1% in 2023, driven by expansions in petroleum, gold, bauxite, and quarrying activities.

Investment Opportunities

• Gold Mining: Large-scale gold mining with substantial undeveloped reserves (14.3 million ounces)  and investment opportunities in medium and small-scale gold mining operations.
• Bauxite Mining: Development of high-quality bauxite deposits with potential for further processing and refining into alumina and aluminum production.
• Diamonds and Precious Stones: Investment in diamond mining, especially in the under-explored Roraima Formation and exploration of semi-precious stones like amethyst, agate, jasper, and topaz for the jewelry industry. 
• Rare Earth Elements (REE) and Base Metals: Exploration of strategic minerals like lithium, scandium, and other rare earth and critical elements, driven by the global shift towards greener economies and electric vehicle technologies.
• Quarrying and Construction Materials: Production of sand, stone, and other aggregates to support the growing construction sector and investment opportunities in value added, eg. in Silica Sand (99% purity) for industrial 
• Industrial Minerals
• Geochemical Exploration
• Value-Added and Downstream Processing

Incentives for Investors

• Tax Remissions: Available on the purchase of equipment and materials for mining operations.
• Duty Exemptions: Large-scale mining operations are eligible for duty-free imports on machinery and supplies under formalized Investment Agreements.
• Joint Ventures: Local miners are open to partnerships, especially in medium and small-scale mining, offering foreign investors entry points through capital investment.
• Export Market Access: Guyana’s mineral resources are competitive in regional and international markets, with superior quality products and proximity to major export destinations.
• Growing Demand: Infrastructure projects, green energy shifts, and global construction booms are driving demand for Guyana’s minerals and aggregates.

These investment opportunities, combined with a supportive legal and fiscal framework, make Guyana’s mining sector highly attractive for both domestic and international investors​

Guyana's services sector is a vibrant and rapidly expanding part of the national economy, contributing significantly to GDP. The sector grew by 10% in 2023, with a further 7.7% expansion projected for 2024. It encompasses diverse industries such as finance, tourism, retail, telecommunications, and services supporting the oil and gas sector. The financial services industry is underpinned by a sound banking system and investment opportunities, especially in emerging markets. The retail sector is dynamic, offering both traditional markets and modern shopping centers, while telecommunications is advancing, fostering innovation and improving global market access. This growth not only enhances the quality of life for Guyanese citizens but also positions the country as a hub for international investment and business partnerships.

Investment Opportunities and Incentives

Guyana’s services sector presents a wide range of investment opportunities:

• Construction: Investment in hotels, factories, warehouses, and recreational facilities.
• Consultancy: Professional services across sectors like finance, law, and engineering.
• Finance: Banking, insurance, and digital payment services, supported by a stable financial system.
• Telecommunications: Opportunities in expanding digital connectivity and supporting global market access.
• Education and Medical: Investment in schools, universities, hospitals, and clinics.
• Entertainment: Music, film, fashion, and recreational facilities.
• Transport and Logistics: Bus, ferry, trucking, and air/sea port services.
• Environmental Services: Waste management and recycling operations.

Incentives for investors include duty and VAT exemptions in specific subsectors such as medical equipment, education, recycling, and shore base facilities. Additionally, there are waivers on taxes for machinery and equipment, making it attractive for businesses looking to enter the market​.

https://issuu.com/amsguyana/docs/explore_guyana_2024_digital_magazine

Guyana is rapidly emerging as a premier eco-tourism destination, recognized globally for its pristine forests, rich biodiversity, and cultural heritage. The tourism sector is the 4th largest export earner, contributing approximately 2.3% to GDP and creating over 15,000 indirect jobs. In 2022, Guyana welcomed 288,322 visitors, generating $64.1 billion in revenue. Internationally, the country has earned accolades for its sustainable tourism practices, with eco-lodges like Rewa and Iwokrama River Lodge gaining recognition. Tourism in Guyana contributes to the nation’s Low Carbon Development Strategy and aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Investment Opportunities and Incentives

Guyana offers a range of investment opportunities in the tourism sector, including:

• Eco-Lodges and Resorts: Development of world-class eco-retreats in interior and coastal regions.
• Niche Tourism Markets: Birdwatching, adventure tourism, sports-fishing, deep-sea fishing, and yachting.
• Hospitality Services: Hotels, restaurants, and convention services.
• Tourism Infrastructure: Investments in transport services, such as chartered air services and boat rentals.

Incentives for investors include tax holidays, exemptions on building materials and equipment, and duty-free imports for new hotels, guesthouses, and eco-lodges. Special tax exemptions are available for expanding tourism operations and tour operators, including duty-free motor vehicles and camping equipment.