As part of our series spotlighting the leaders shaping business and investment in Guyana, we begin with the nation’s highest office. At the moment when Guyana is seeking capital across energy, infrastructure, technology, and consumer industries, the presidency’s economic agenda will shape the opportunity set for both local operators and global investors. In the exchange that follows, H.E. President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali outlines his vision for the business community, touching on fiscal policy, regulatory clarity, diversification, and competitiveness.

GEM: “How will Guyana's long-term development model evolve—Singapore style state-led, market-driven like UAE and Qatar, or charting its own path—and what should corporations preparing for the next 5—10 years expect?”

H.E.: I have said before that while we can learn from the experiences and best practices of other nations, Guyana must chart its own course. Our model of development must be anchored in our unique reality, and in the shared dreams and ambitions of our people.

My government is deeply committed to a developmental framework that not only generates wealth, but ensures that this wealth flows into the hands of our people, equitably and sustainably. This is why we are building a diversified economy: one that does not gamble its future on a single sector or commodity, one resilient to external shocks, and one powered by new growth poles such as digitization and eco-tourism.

At the same time, we are breathing new life into our traditional sectors—the pillars that have supported us for generations—modernizing them to compete in a rapidly changing world. Our Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030 will be the engine driving this transformation, creating low-carbon sectors, leveraging our unmatched climate and ecosystem services, and unlocking future growth through a cleaner, sustainable energy transition.

To our investors, local and foreign alike, the message is clear: the next five years will be a time of extraordinary opportunity. Guyana’s economic landscape will be open, dynamic, and enabling. Incentives will be fair, attractive, and competitive. And the opportunities will not simply trickle in; they will flow in abundance.

We are not just building an economy. We are building a future where prosperity is not a privilege for the few, but the birthright of every Guyanese.

GEM: “How would you define a ‘developed Guyana’—not just economically, but in terms of quality of life, national identity, and measurable progress by the year 2030?”

H.E.: For the PPPC, development has always been measured in human terms. We have never reduced progress to a line on a GDP chart or a percentage point on an economic report. For us, the human person is both the engine and the destination of national development—the one who drives it and the one who must ultimately benefit from it.

This is why our vision of Guyana is not simply about generating wealth, but about translating that wealth into jobs that put food on the table, incomes that can sustain families, growth that is inclusive and fair, and living and working conditions that allow our people to thrive with dignity.

People-centered development means a young child in a remote village having the same access to world-class education as a child in the capital city. It means a farmer in the countryside and a single mother in the city both having access to quality, affordable health care. It means a family being able to own an affordable home without being crushed by debt, and every community enjoying reliable, affordable energy that powers businesses and brightens homes.

It means social protections that wrap a safety net beneath the most vulnerable among us, including our elderly, our differently-abled, and those who fall on hard times. No one will be left behind. It is a Guyana where dignity is not an aspiration, but an everyday reality.

We believe that true development is not just the wealth we create, but the lives we improve, the opportunities we expand, and the hope we make real for every citizen.

GEM: “What are your strategies to diversify the economy beyond oil and extractives—especially in areas like agriculture, ICT, manufacturing, and tourism? What are some of the transformational initiatives and projects in these areas?”

H.E.: We are building a modern, resilient food security ecosystem, one that will firmly establish Guyana as the food basket of the Caribbean. Our agricultural sector is being transformed through smart technology and innovation, boosting not just output, but productivity and profitability. We are shifting into high-value crops that put more money into farmers’ pockets, and we are strengthening agro-processing so that more of the value stays here at home, moving our products higher up the value chain.

Beyond agriculture, new growth poles are emerging. Digitization and ICT will be at the forefront. Our national digitization strategy, now in its final stages of preparation, will position Guyana as a regional leader in the digital economy, opening doors for entrepreneurs and investors alike.

The expected 50% cut in electricity costs will be a game-changer. It will ignite a surge in manufacturing, from advanced metal fabrication to high-quality wood processing, creating jobs and industries that were once out of reach.

Tourism, too, is on the rise. We are diversifying our offerings to go beyond the traditional. Sports and cultural tourism, adventure tourism, conference tourism, and events-based tourism will all become pillars of this growing sector. And at the heart of it lies our eco-tourism—truly world-class, unmatched in its richness and authenticity. We are actively seeking investments to tap into this treasure, confident that our pristine ecosystems, unique biodiversity, and warm hospitality are second to none.

Guyana’s economy is not just expanding; it is evolving. We are building an economy with multiple and sturdy pillars, each capable of standing on its own, and together supporting a future of prosperity, resilience, and opportunity for all.

GEM: “What are your top priorities for modernizing transport, energy, and digital infrastructure—and how will you engage the private sector in delivering them?”

H.E.: The world has seen the transformation of Guyana’s road transport infrastructure in recent years. Highways and roads are now opening the country, connecting communities, and driving industry, commerce, and connectivity. This is a work in progress. Soon we will see the completion of the new bridge across the Demerara River, a critical link in our national transport chain. Together with Suriname, we are advancing plans for a bridge across the Corentyne River, and we have a new overhead bridge in the pipeline for the Berbice River.

Our road transport strategy is aimed at integrating and linking all populated regions of Guyana, to move goods and services faster and more efficiently, and to open vast new lands for cultivation, housing, and investment. These links are not just roads; they are economic arteries. And the private sector is vital in keeping them flowing with enterprise and opportunity.

In energy, we are equally ambitious. The gas-to-energy plant at Wales is progressing despite the challenges. A second plant is planned for Berbice. We are expanding solar farms across the country, and we are working to revive the Amaila Falls Hydroelectric Project. Our strategy is a balanced energy mix providing affordable, reliable power to fuel growth, while laying the foundation for an energy export sector.

Here, too, the private sector is indispensable. Businesses will not only benefit from lower electricity costs but will be our partners in building new industries that range from manufacturing and processing to energy services and technology.

The future we are building depends on a strong digital backbone. We are inviting the private sector to partner with us in expanding broadband reach, driving telemedicine, revolutionizing financial services, enabling e-government, and transforming education delivery.

This is not development by government alone. It is development with the private sector as co-architect and co-beneficiary, turning national plans into shared prosperity.

GEM: “How will you unlock growth for local SMEs—and attract international partners to co-invest in/with them?”

H.E.: Small and microenterprises (SMEs) are not just job creators. They are the beating heart of our economy. They are the corner shops, the small chicken farms, the start-up workshops, and the small service providers that give our communities life and energy. They provide livelihoods, sustain growth at the grassroots, and keep wealth circulating within our communities and towns.

We recognize, however, that too many SMEs face steep barriers, chief among them is the challenge of accessing seed capital and affordable credit. For many promising entrepreneurs, a good idea and hard work are not enough if the doors to financing remain shut. This is why we are putting in place a dedicated financial facility that will offer interest-free loans to small businesses.

This is not charity. It is smart economics. When we invest in SMEs, we are investing in the future, in family and community stability, and in the diversification of our economic base. We are cultivating the next generation of local champions, whose success will ripple outward in the form of new jobs, higher incomes, and stronger local supply chains.

By giving SMEs the capital they need, we are doing more than lending a helping hand. We are giving them the tools to stand taller, compete more effectively, and grow sustainably. Our goal is to create an environment where a seamstress in Bartica, a poultry farmer in Berbice, or a tech start-up in Georgetown all have the same chance to thrive.

In every strong economy, small businesses are the foundation stones. Strengthen them, and you strengthen the entire nation. That is why SMEs are not an afterthought in our plans. They are central to Guyana’s growth story.

GEM: “What do you see as the biggest barrier to strengthening investor confidence in Guyana—and what specific actions and success measures would you prioritize to overcome it?”

H.E.: Investor confidence in Guyana is high. In saying this, I am not downplaying or seeking to obscure any challenges. We are aware that there is a need for us to reduce the cost of electricity (which will soon happen), enhance our human resource development to provide a highly skilled workforce and to reduce the cost of capital. On all these areas where we are taking action to provide greater comfort for investors. But the evidence is incontrovertible; we are being swamped by investment proposals, Guyana is abuzz with investments and that is a sign of growing confidence in our economy and its long-term prospects.

GEM: “What policies or investments do you believe are most critical to improving access to healthcare, education, and social services—particularly in rural and hinterland regions—and how would you ensure their delivery is both equitable and measurable?”

H.E.: Our goal is simple but ambitious. It is to deliver world-class education, world-class health care, and stronger social services to every corner of Guyana, especially in underserved areas.

We have already begun expanding access to these essential services across all ten administrative regions, ensuring that geography is no longer a barrier to opportunity or well-being. At the same time, we are modernizing how these services are delivered. In education, we are embracing electronic learning to bring classrooms to students wherever they are. In health, we are deploying telemedicine so that a patient in a remote hinterland village can consult a specialist without leaving their community. We are improving access at the local and regional levels to bring essential services closer to the people.

We are also investing heavily in the people who deliver these services, including through training our educators to inspire and our health professionals to heal with the latest knowledge, skills, and technology.

This is more than a series of projects. It is a national mission. Our aim is not just to improve social services but to close the historic gap between hinterland and coastland, creating a Guyana where access, quality, and opportunity are not defined by a postal address. When we lift the standard of education and health care everywhere, we lift the whole nation.

GEM: “What is your vision for preparing young Guyanese to succeed in strategic sectors like energy, technology, and logistics—and how would you approach workforce planning and migration to meet long-term national needs?”

H.E.: We envision a Guyana where every young person can be the best version of themselves, one where they can realize their fullest potential and seize the countless opportunities that our new economy will create. We want young Guyanese to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the best in the world, not just in our local job market, but on the global stage.

That is why we are making massive investments in building a highly skilled and educated workforce. Education is free from nursery to university, ensuring that no child is denied opportunity because of financial barriers. The Guyana Online Academy of Learning has already opened doors for some 30,000 Guyanese to pursue higher education, many of them from regions where such access was once unimaginable.

We are expanding technical and vocational education, equipping our schools with smart classrooms, and building state-of-the-art science and computer laboratories. We are ensuring that our young people are trained not just for the jobs of today, but for the industries of tomorrow. Because without the human capital, we cannot hope to turn our abundant natural resources into lasting national wealth.

Workforce planning is therefore central to our vision. In the short to medium term, we will import skills to fill critical gaps and meet demand in high-growth sectors. This will ensure that our development momentum is not stalled while we continue to train our own citizens so that in time, these positions can be fully filled by Guyanese.

Our mission is to prepare our people to not just participate in Guyana’s transformation, but to lead it.

GEM: “How should government evaluate whether major policies—especially those affecting investment, infrastructure, and energy—are achieving intended results, and what mechanisms would you use to course-correct if they fall short?”

H.E.: Judge us by our record. Judge us by our results. We have a proven track record of delivering on our promises, a reputation for keeping our word, and a superior public sector project implementation rate to other political administrations in Guyana.

In the end, the people are the ultimate judges of our performance. They know from experience that when we say we will deliver, we do.

No government can honestly claim that there will never be delays, slippages, or setbacks in some projects. But when problems arise, we will not hide them, ignore them, or make excuses. We will confront them, fix them, and get the job done.

Accountability is not a slogan for us. It is the standard by which we govern. Every road built, every bridge completed, every school opened, every hospital equipped is part of the contract we have with the people of Guyana. And we intend to honour that contract.

GEM: “Guyana’s forests are already generating revenue through forest climate services, like carbon credits. What similar mechanisms can be developed and leveraged to monetize biodiversity protection and the blue economy in Guyana?”

H.E.: Guyana can build on the proven success of its forest carbon program by creating “new currencies of nature”—market-based and investment mechanisms that turn the measurable protection of biodiversity and ocean resources into sustainable revenue streams.

Among the mechanisms under consideration are:

1. Biodiversity Credits – Launching a certified biodiversity credit market that pays for protecting species-rich habitats. Like carbon credits, these could be traded globally—transforming the beauty of our forests and wetlands into balance-sheet assets for conservation.

2. Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES) – Creating systems where those who benefit pay those who protect. The message here is simple: if you profit from nature, you help pay for its protection.

3.Blue Carbon Credits – Expanding carbon markets into mangroves and other coastal ecosystems. Guyana can make the ocean economy work for both climate and country.

4. Marine Biodiversity Offsets – Encouraging stakeholders in shipping, offshore oil, and ports fund restoration of equivalent habitats. This follows a simple philosophy: If you take from the sea, you give back to the sea.

5. Sustainable Fisheries Certification & Branding – Certifying and branding Guyanese seafood for premium markets. When our fish are caught right, they sell for more, feed our people better, and keep our oceans alive.

6.Blue and Green Bonds – Issuing bonds tied to sustainable ocean projects, backed by concessional finance. It’s time to invest not only in the ocean economy but in the green future they secure.

We hope that by blending credits, payments, offsets, certifications, and bonds, Guyana can turn its biodiversity into bankable assets and its ocean economy into a national treasure chest. This approach mirrors the forest carbon model’s success while making Guyana a global leader where climate action meets economic innovation.

GEM: “As Guyana awaits the ICJ decision on the Border Controversy matter with Venezuela, we have seen aggressive action by Venezuela in Guyana’s territory. What specifically is the Government doing to ensure, in the interim, there’s peace and stability? Also, what steps have been taken or will be taken to maintain investor confidence and dispel any perceptions of unmitigable risks?”

H.E.: We are a peaceful people. But let no one mistake our peaceful intentions for weakness. Our strength lies in our unshakable adherence to the rule of international law, in our rejection of threats and aggression, and in our pursuit of peaceful solutions to disputes.

Yet, peace does not mean passivity. We will never stand idly by while our patrimony is plundered, our sovereignty diminished, or our territorial integrity violated.

We seek friendship with all, enmity with none. But we will defend what is ours with every fibre of our being. Our land, our sea, our future are not for the taking. They are for the keeping. And they are ours to keep, forever.