Second-year student of Law, David Thomas, proved that determination pays off when he won the top prize in the NCB Capital Markets Essay Competition after entering the second time around. His standout submission on the theme, “Boom or Doom: Does the wealth generated from oil and other natural resources truly fuel sustainable national growth, or does it create economic dependence that hinders capital market development?” resonated with the judges, earning him the first-place GYD 150,000 prize.
Thomas’ essay explored Guyana’s oil and gas sector through examples from global markets and offered thoughtful recommendations for sustainable development. Reflecting on the experience, he said: “The topic resonates with many Guyanese. It felt good to put my perspective on paper and contribute to the conversation.”
He added, “This competition celebrates dedication, ambition and big picture thinking. These are qualities our country needs, and I am grateful to NCB Capital Markets [Limited] for giving students this opportunity.”
The second-place award of GYD 100,000 went to sixteen-year-old sixth form student Samithadevi Anandakumar from School of the Nations. Her essay compared Guyana’s oil boom with countries such as Venezuela and South Africa and highlighted the importance of diversifying into non-oil sectors to secure long-term economic stability.
“My essay compared the oil boom in Guyana with other nations such as Venezuela and South Africa, examining their past, present, and possible future outcomes,” Anandakumar noted. “I wanted to emphasise that Guyana must also invest in other sectors beyond oil to ensure long-term national growth.”
Recipients also received a complimentary Caribbean Securities Course voucher from the Jamaica Stock Exchange, aimed at providing access to more resources for continued learning and financial education.
The NCB Capital Markets Essay Competition is an annual initiative designed to inspire Guyanese tertiary students to engage critically with national economic issues and showcase exceptional analytical and research skills. Now in its second year, the competition continues to pull on students from a wide range of disciplines, including law, medicine, economics, international relations and sixth form programmes.
Jenelle Alexander, Senior Manager of Corporate and Investment Banking at NCB Merchant Bank Trinidad and Tobago Limited, shared, “We are incredibly proud of these talented young thinkers who have shown such depth, creativity, and passion in their ideas. Their perspectives remind us that the region’s growth story is not only being written in boardrooms, but also in classrooms by the next generation of economists and innovators.”
The awards presentation was held at the World Trade Centre in Georgetown and included shortlisted participants and representatives from key educational institutions, including the University of Guyana and School of the Nations.
