More than 300 participants gathered to explore opportunities in Guyana’s oil and gas sector when SBM Offshore Guyana hosted the third edition of its ‘Let’s Talk Local Content’ Forum at the Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo on Thursday, February 21.
Supported by the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), the forum formed part of SBM Offshore Guyana’s role as the conference’s official local content partner and created a platform for dialogue among industry leaders, policymakers and local businesses seeking to participate in the country’s growing energy supply chain.
Delivering welcome remarks, General Manager of SBM Offshore Guyana Martin Cheong stressed that local content must be treated as a continuous collaborative effort built on transparency, preparedness and a mutual commitment to higher standards. He noted that as the energy sector evolves, the company remains focused on ensuring Guyanese businesses are equipped not only to participate but also to compete effectively within the global marketplace.
Director of the Local Content Secretariat Michael Munroe highlighted government initiatives aimed at expanding local participation and improving supply chain efficiency, including the recent rollout of the Local Content Registration Portal. He described forums of this nature as essential for maintaining dialogue and pledged the Secretariat’s continued support for companies willing to share information that enables suppliers to participate meaningfully in the sector.
Representatives of the Secretariat later presented details on the online portal, outlining updated timelines for processing Local Content Certificates for new applications and renewals once all required documentation is submitted.
GCCI President Kathy Smith also commended the initiative, pointing out that sustained engagement between the public and private sectors has helped strengthen the capacity of local firms. She encouraged businesses to take advantage of the opportunities available under the local content framework and praised SBM Offshore Guyana for clearly outlining expectations and opportunities for both local and international investors.
A key feature of the forum was its interactive sessions led by SBM Offshore Guyana’s Supply Chain team, which offered practical guidance on navigating procurement processes. The first segment, facilitated by Nelly Hoodith, Nickeshia DaCosta and Keval Getram, focused on understanding the Request for Information and Request for Proposal (RFI/RFP) process and how to submit competitive bids.
The second session, led by Anthony Somaru and Kevin Best, guided vendors through post-award requirements, including health, safety, security and environmental (HSSE) procedures.
Organizers said the structured engagement allowed businesses to ask questions directly, gain clarity on procurement expectations and better understand pathways to integration into the global energy supply chain.
SBM Offshore Guyana said the third staging of the forum demonstrates its ongoing commitment to responsible local content development through open dialogue, capacity-building initiatives and partnerships aimed at strengthening Guyana’s local business ecosystem and expanding participation in the energy sector.
