In speaking to more than 300 guests who attended the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association dinner and awards ceremony held at the Ramada Princess hotel, Ambassador Sarah Ann Lynch give an optimistic speech about Guyana’s future economic prospects and stated that, “when I arrived in Guyana nearly four years ago, I could not imagine all the partnerships, opportunities and yes, even the challenges that my team and I would work on. Guyana is moving forward fast and there is indeed much to celebrate”
In addressing the cost and quality of electricity in Guyana, the ambassador said, “ I have been thrilled to learn that the government of Guyana has made the historic decision to build a power plant and NGL facility that will indeed lower that cost of electricity for both investors and citizens. I am also excited that a consortium of companies from the United States will be assisting with this transformational project. Imagine a time when you will not have to install all your own generators, but instead can rely on affordable and reliable electricity.”
Ambassador Lynch indicated that affordable electricity will unlock manufacturing opportunities and especially add value across the non oil sectors like agro processing. She went on to state that, “I know Guyana is likely to continue its rapid transformation. And US firms and their local partners will be there with you. They will continue to lead the way on some of the most important efforts during this time of rapid change. Whether it be in infrastructure, manufacturing, agriculture, tourism and hospitality or other sectors. The US Embassy is always looking ahead to find opportunities where it can increase its partnership with Guyana.”
In sharing the specific contributions of the US Embassy, Ambassador Sarah Lynch stated that, “First, we know that navigating the business world in Guyana can be confusing at times for investors. So our Embassy team has made hundreds of connections between reputable US firms and Guyanese private sector associations and their members.” The ambassador also shared that the US Embassy has worked hard to get wait times down for visa appointments, offer expedited appointments when needed for urgent business travel and pushed for the now multiple daily flights to the United States.
In closing, the US Ambassador referred to the financial products available via the US EXIM bank and stated that, “We also know that access to capital is not easy, which is why we brought the US Export Import bank to Guyana this month to brief the banks and the private sector on their financial products, products that could assist with purchasing US goods.” Ambassador Lynch also spoke about local jobs and shared that she was thrilled that the US private sector firms employ more Guyanese than other firms and stated that, “our companies don’t just come to talk. They come to work, and they don’t just come to work here themselves. They come to hire Guyanese, thousands In fact, and US firms don’t just hire them. They train them up to world class standards as valued long term partners”
