OP-ED: President Ali’s Supply Chain Investment (Fantasy) Plans

by Shane Headley

President Irfaan Ali’s recent pronouncements about supply chain investment opportunities in Guyana are nothing short of laughable. It seems he’s living in a fantasy world if he believes investors will flock to his grandiose ideas about how they should spend their money. The reality is, that investors are primarily driven by one thing, profit.

For over 50 years since the independence of most Caribbean countries, the transportation infrastructure among them has remained weak. There are multiple reasons for this stagnation. Investors have historically been more interested in exploiting the region’s extractive commodities like oil, gold, and bauxite, often at the expense of the environment and local communities. Additionally, the expansion of the “One Caribbean Market” purportedly underpinned by the supply chain pipedream fails to take into consideration that the collective Caribbean market is small, that Caribbean nations struggle with the notion of collaboration, and that the funds for developing such a supply chain are just not available in this era where Caribbean countries are battling with existential climate change threats which require significant investments.  Aside from tourism and now oil, which has limitations, what else does Guyana or the Caribbean have to offer that is both massively enticing and profitable? Especially considering that our gigantic neighbor Brazil manufactures, grows, or produces everything Guyana produces but at scale and a much lower cost.  Listening to Bharrat Jagdeo make promises about economic integration with Brazil is also laughable.  Any open trade deal with Brazil would crush local businesses and that’s even if the manufacturing sector gets their highly dubious 50% reduction in energy costs.

President Ali’s penchant for grandiosity is well-known. He often speaks of ambitious projects as if they were already realized, perhaps mistakenly believing that such rhetoric elevates his status. However, the harsh reality is that investors are primarily interested in opportunities that promise significant returns on investment, such as the extractive industries or luxury hotels.  Couple this investor propensity with Guyana’s tiny population and subpar PPP-managed education system and you’ll understand why Jagdeo and Ali are just spouting wild pipe dreams.

President Ali and his administration fail to grasp the fundamental principles of business and investment. Investors are not interested in idle talk about unprofitable “supply chain” opportunities. They are focused on maximizing profits and minimizing risks. The president’s attempts to extend the name of a conference to include such unappealing topics only highlight his detachment from economic realities.

Furthermore, Unlike public servants awaiting overdue raises, investors are not beholden to government rhetoric or obligations. They operate independently, driven solely by their bottom line.  Therefore President Ali’s delusional fantasies about supply chain investment opportunities in Guyana are unlikely to attract serious interest from investors. Instead of wasting time and resources on futile pursuits, the government would be better served by focusing on initiatives that address the country’s pressing economic challenges and create sustainable growth opportunities for all Guyanese. It is time for this PPP government to return to reality and prioritize pragmatic, achievable goals over fanciful dreams.