The Suriname-Guyana Chamber of Commerce (SGCC), in partnership with the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA), today officially launched the Guyana segment of the TTMA Trade & Investment Mission to Guyana and Suriname 2026, bringing together 58 delegates representing more than 30 Trinidad and Tobago companies for a week of structured business engagement, government consultations, and market exploration activities.
Facilitated and organized locally by SGCC, the mission builds on the success of the 2025 edition, which generated more than 300 SGCC-curated business-to-business meetings and contributed to over US$300 million in reported business opportunities and deals across Guyana and Suriname.
The programme is the culmination of several months of consultation, business profiling, stakeholder engagement, and matchmaking undertaken by SGCC and TTMA. Participating companies were individually consulted to better understand their products, services, expansion goals, and partnership interests, allowing the Chamber to identify and connect them with relevant private sector entities, government agencies, distributors, manufacturers, buyers, suppliers, investors, and strategic partners in both Guyana and Suriname. Throughout the mission, delegates will participate in pre-arranged business-to-business meetings to pursue opportunities ranging from distributorship arrangements and representation agreements to joint ventures, service contracts, and investment partnerships.
Welcoming participants to Guyana, SGCC Operations Manager and Incoming CEO (Ag.), Mrs. Saudia Persaud, referenced President Ali’s call for greater competitiveness, integration, and regional cooperation, noting that the mission reflects a shared commitment among participating companies to pursue opportunities through collaboration and cross-border engagement: “Every company represented here today has made a conscious decision to be part of that vision.” Mrs. Persaud emphasized that the mission reflects SGCC’s broader commitment to strengthening regional integration, noting that meaningful economic growth is driven not only by trade, but by relationships, collaboration, and the creation of stronger regional value chains.
Speaking on behalf of SGCC, Treasurer Mrs. Annabelle Carter-Sharma underscored the growing importance of regional partnerships at a time when Guyana and Suriname continue to attract international attention for their economic growth and investment potential. “The return of this mission demonstrates confidence in the opportunities within Guyana and Suriname and, more importantly, in the power of regional partnerships to unlock new markets, create value, and drive sustainable economic development.” She noted that these trade missions create an environment where conversations evolve into partnerships and partnerships evolve into long-term business success, while positioning Caribbean companies to participate more actively in one of the region’s fastest-growing economic corridors.
Speaking on behalf of the TTMA delegation, President Mr. Emil Ramkissoon expressed appreciation to SGCC for its continued partnership and facilitation of the mission, noting the value of initiatives that connect Caribbean businesses with emerging opportunities throughout the region. He encouraged delegates to maximize the engagements ahead and highlighted the importance of regional collaboration in driving business growth and expanding commercial relationships beyond domestic markets.
Representing the Tobago House of Assembly, Assistant Secretary for Finance, Trade and the Economy Mr. Kern Alexis also addressed the gathering, emphasizing the importance of building relationships founded on trust, mutual respect, and humility. Speaking during his first visit to Guyana, he encouraged participants to approach opportunities with an open mind and a long-term perspective focused on sustainable partnerships and shared regional prosperity.
A major highlight of the opening ceremony was the keynote address delivered by The Honourable Dr. Ashni K. Singh, M.P., Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, whose participation underscored the Government of Guyana’s continued engagement with the private sector and support for initiatives that strengthen regional trade and investment.
Addressing the delegation, Minister Singh welcomed the participating companies to Guyana and described the country’s ongoing economic transformation as one of the most significant periods in its modern history.
“We’re going through an extraordinary period of economic growth and an extraordinary period of economic transformation in Guyana.”
The Minister outlined Guyana’s rapid economic expansion, major infrastructure investments, industrial developments, energy projects, tourism growth, and expanding private sector activity, noting that “Guyana is ripe with opportunity for doing business in every single sector.” He highlighted Guyana’s progression from first oil production in late 2019 to approximately 930,000 barrels of oil per day today, with production expected to exceed one million barrels per day before the end of 2026.
Minister Singh also encouraged participants to use the mission to identify local partners and explore collaborative business models, emphasizing that strategic partnerships between regional companies would play an important role in ensuring that economic growth translates into sustainable opportunities throughout the Caribbean.
The ceremony concluded with a presentation of appreciation tokens by TTMA Trade Officer Mr. Ismahieel Ali, recognizing the contributions of SGCC and Minister Singh to strengthening regional trade, investment, and private sector collaboration.
Over the coming days, delegates will engage in a series of SGCC-curated business-to-business meetings, consultations, networking engagements, and market exploration activities in Guyana before continuing to Suriname for the second phase of the mission.
SGCC and TTMA also expressed appreciation to Pegasus Hotel and Corporate Suites, venue partner for the Guyana programme, as well as mission support agencies including the Guyana Office for Investment (G-Invest), the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS), the Food and Drug Department, and the Guyana Registry; and to Republic Bank (Guyana) Limited, sponsor of the Guyana Closing Cocktail Reception, which will bring together delegates, government officials, private sector representatives, and stakeholders for continued networking and engagement as the Guyana segment of the mission concludes.
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