World Trade Centre Georgetown hailed as ‘timely and visionary’

Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, has hailed the establishment of the World Trade Centre Georgetown (WTCG) as a “timely and visionary step” in Guyana’s development path, noting that it aligns with the country’s rapid economic expansion and growing global trade prospects.

Speaking at the official launch of the Centre in Kingston, Georgetown, on Tuesday, Dr. Singh said the initiative comes at a pivotal moment for Guyana, which has been experiencing “unprecedented economic growth and expanding global trade opportunities.”

He congratulated Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) Chairman Komal Samaroo and his team for their leadership in bringing the global brand to Guyana, describing the move as “a reflection of the company’s long-standing commitment to global competitiveness.”

“President Ali attaches tremendous importance to this initiative,” Dr. Singh said. “Georgetown and Guyana are now joining the family of great cities around the world that host World Trade Centres. This is indeed a historic milestone.”

Citing recent discussions at the IMF–World Bank meetings in Washington, D.C., Dr. Singh noted that small states like Guyana face challenges such as limited domestic markets and distance from major trading partners. However, he said the government has prioritized improving physical connectivity with neighboring countries, pointing to major infrastructure projects such as the Linden–Lethem road to Brazil and the Corentyne River Bridge to Suriname.

“We envision a Guyana where a producer can load up a lorry and take goods directly to Suriname or Brazil, where trade flows freely and efficiently across our region,” he said.

Highlighting Guyana’s robust growth, Dr. Singh referenced the IMF’s latest World Economic Outlook, which shows the country recording the highest growth rate in the Western Hemisphere — averaging nearly 40 percent annually since 2021.

“By any standard, this is an extraordinary rate of economic growth without precedent worldwide,” he said, adding that the government aims to use this momentum to build a “globally competitive non-oil economy.”

The senior minister reaffirmed the government’s full support for the World Trade Centre Georgetown, emphasizing its potential to unlock new trade opportunities for local businesses and further integrate Guyana into the global economy.

Chairman of the Private Sector Commission (PSC), Captain Gerry Gouveia Jr., echoed Dr. Singh’s sentiments, asserting that the private sector is ready to match the government’s efforts in driving growth.

“The opportunities in Guyana are endless,” Gouveia said. “And when people say we want to be the Dubai of the Caribbean, I say no — we want to be the Guyana of the Caribbean, because we’re going to do more than they did.”

The WTCG, commissioned in June, is the first World Trade Centre within the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). The seven-floor facility spans approximately 37,500 square feet of modern office space in central Georgetown, offering flexible workspaces, ICT and cybersecurity services, trade mission support, and venues for seminars and corporate events.

Affiliated with the World Trade Centres Association (WTCA), the Georgetown Centre aims to promote trade and investment linkages between Guyana and international markets, helping businesses “connect globally and prosper locally.”