圭亚那同时位于加勒比和南美的门户，特殊的地理位置加上圭亚那巨大的自然资源，为加强和中国及其他国家间的贸易和投资往来提供了绝佳的机会
文｜贝尼·卡伦（H. E. Mr. Bayney Karran）圭亚那驻华大使 翻译｜潘心怡
1972年，圭亚那成为英语加勒比国家中首个与中国开展外交关系的国家。自此，我们两国保持了深厚持久的友谊。圭亚那同时位于加勒比和南美的门户，特殊的地理位置加上丰富得自然资源，为加强和中国及其他国家间的贸易和投资往来提供了绝佳的机会。
圭亚那最近发现了32亿桶已探明的石油储备，国家经济即将迎来腾飞。圭亚那近年来的经济表现可谓非凡。健全友好的投资政策意味着一个稳定和可预测的商业环境。圭亚那提供了利润丰厚的产业，目前对新的投资来说非常具有吸引力。更重要的是，圭亚那是进入有利润的国际市场的准入通道。
资源和市场准入
作为南美洲唯一的英语国家，圭亚那以其优质的农业、矿产资源和自然资源著名，如大米、糖、蔬菜、水果、木材、黄金、钻石、铝土矿和朗姆酒。下列都是圭亚那丰富的自然资源的产物，包括矿藏、广阔的森林、珍贵的木材、河流、瀑布以及肥沃的土地和畜牧产品。长期以来，丰富的自然资源一直是国家发展的动力。矿业、农业和林业是主要产业。
“圭亚那”原意是“多水之乡”。海产、淡水鱼和海鲜均有出口。建立水产养殖场有很大的潜力。圭亚那有超过50条河流和80个瀑布，因此修建水电站也有着极大的利润。圭亚那力图建设多个水力发电系统，发电量从50至250兆瓦不等。同样地，风能和太阳能发电也提供了具有吸引力的机会。
在圭亚那生产的商品可以优先进入欧洲、美国、加拿大、巴西、哥伦比亚和加勒比共同体的主要市场。凭借这些协议，圭亚那75%以上的出口产品都能保证免税或减税进入某些市场。由于地理位置接近南北美洲市场，圭亚那的出口优惠涉及的消费人口超过2.77亿，拥有一个超过130亿美元的市场，总体购买力超过2万亿美元。
圭亚那是拉丁美洲和加勒比国家共同体(CELAC)、南美洲国家联盟(UNASUR)，拉丁美洲和加勒比国家(GRULAC)和美洲国家组织(OAS)的成员，圭亚那最亲密的政治、历史和文化纽带都与英语加勒比海国家有关。圭亚那是加勒比共同体((CARICOM)秘书处的所在地。
投资前景
圭亚那的国土面积与湖南省相同，面积达21.5万平方公里，但人口只有75万，年度GDP约为100亿元人民币。国内能源和技术创新的缺乏导致了有限的工业产能。道路和河流运输网络、港口设施和物流等设施的不足，使得圭亚那难以分享区域和全球一体化带来的好处。水电、风电和太阳能等基础设施项目和能源发电，将极大地提高国内产出。
圭亚那通往可持续发展和经济繁荣的路径在于吸收外国直接投资。圭亚那的经济基本面强劲。国家货币和宏观经济指标已经稳定了超过25年。自1990年以来，年均经济增长率稳定在4%左右。债务、财政和外部收支平衡处于可持续的水平。2018年的增长预期将超过3%。
随着最近发现了石油和天然气，以及政府对可再生能源的大力支持，越来越多的自然资源被投入到国家发展建设中。石油出口将于2020年开始。迅速发展的能源行业为圭亚那经济提升到了一个全新的维度。圭亚那政府正在为未来的碳氢化合物生产做准备，以确保可持续的长期发展。
圭亚那已被确认为优先发展的产业有：基础设施，清洁和可再生能源，农业，采矿，林业，渔业和旅游。基础设施是其他产业发展的基础。清洁和可再生能源部门将提高主要产业的生产率，并刺激其他产业的就业机会。政府鼓励促进可持续发展和实现增长的投资。
外国投资者将从此次经济转型的投资中获益。
对于那些眼光长远，超越圭亚那国家经济空间，对西半球其他市场有所展望的国家来说，将会获得额外的红利。圭亚那作为区域性最新的石油生产国，能确保这对其国内经济其他所有的行业产生前所未有的附带效应，并将影响扩大到加勒比共同体。圭亚那邀请中国公司投资这些领域，发展成为双赢的伙伴关系。
行业详情
● 基础设施
圭亚那的基础设施发展计划的大框架为中国—拉丁美洲和加勒比国家共同体合作论坛和南美国家联盟倡议的南美区域基础设施一体化。
90%的圭亚那居民集中在不到10%的领土上，近80%的土地面积是雨林。由于缺乏基础设施，从人口稠密的沿海地区到内陆地区和周边国家的交通运输十分困难和昂贵。建立连接北美和南美的客运和货运航空枢纽是一个主要目标。鉴于贸易增加的预期，在和巴西接壤处建设机场已纳入考虑中。
政府的首要任务是建设接巴西北部与圭那亚之间的长达455公里的道路走廊。这条连接林登至莱瑟姆的公路是连接巴西与北大西洋之间最直的道路。据估计，每年将有3.5万到6万集装箱通过这条路线。2020年该道路将完成122公里的的建设。剩下的330公里会考虑到所有的金融选择，包括PPPs、收费道路优惠和特殊经济区。这条公路将连接到未来的深水港，满足巴西的运输需要，同时实现圭亚那作为转运枢纽的雄心。
除了林登至莱瑟姆的道路，政府还计划在2025年完成Essequibo河沿岸的乡村公路， 这些新公路总长为600公里。该项目将取代内河运输，开发100万公顷土地。项目设计目前已经完成，当前正在寻找有兴趣的合作伙伴。
● 能源
圭亚那的石油行业预计在2020年的日均产油量达到12万桶，2025年该数字将翻三倍。三个外资企业将参与生产，分别是中国油企Nexen，埃克森美孚和赫斯。进一步发现石油储量具有高度可能性。圭亚那欢迎中国企业参与下游行业和加工处理。
圭亚那的自然和气候条件为全年阳光充足，海风强劲，河流和瀑布众多，在太阳能、风能和水力发电方面优势明显。超过72个地点已被证实拥有水电发电的潜能，其中一些项目正处于可行性和前期可行性阶段。
清洁和可再生能源行业将出口过剩的电力，提高整个国家的发电、输电和配电能力。这一目标受到五项协议的支持，（一）可持续开发自然资源（二）建立固体废物方案；（三）促进可持续能源发展；（四）促进森林的生态完整性；（五）绿色技术的实施。
由于已经有土地被指定用于种植生物燃料，生产农业生产生物燃料的耕作可以立刻开始。圭亚那广泛的糖业的副产品可以提供生物燃料，如乙醇。
● 木材产业
圭亚那的森林里有1000多不同种类的木材。目前，有120种硬质和软木正被开发。其中12至15种木材通过特许制度进行商业规模的登记。圭亚那出口原木或半成品木材。根据目前的要求，出口前需增加木材的附加价值。对于有意生产硬木和柳条家具、胶合板和单板、模塑、门、地板、地砖和其他木材产品的投资者来说，存在利润机会。
● 农业
沿海地区土壤肥沃，目前生产水稻、甘蔗和其他作物。大面积的草原存在开发乳制品、牛肉、羊肉、腰果、豆类，大豆和其他产品的潜力。外国投资者可以较为容易地开发利基市场，如香米和药用作物。在无农业化学物污染的土地上可以种植有机农作物。蔬菜、水果和药草可以供应中国以及利润丰厚的加勒比海和北美市场。国内外食品加工厂可供应出口香料、畜产品、乳制品、加工或半成品食品和畜产品。
圭亚那在海鲜和渔业工业上拥有完美的地理条件，包括460公里长的大西洋海岸地区和大量的河网。圭亚那在大西洋海域拥有近14万平方公里的海域。大部分海鲜的主要出口市场集中在中国，美国和欧洲。
● 采矿和采石
采矿业目前主要集中在黄金、铝矾土和钻石的开采上。稀土金属、半宝石、红土、锰、高岭土、砂、放射性矿物、铜、钼、钨、铁、镍等资源的储量尚未被开发。圭亚那还产出高附加值的A级耐火铝土矿。政府倾向于为黄金开采行业的大型投资者提供安全保障，以勘探其余储量，并提高运营效率和生产效率。采矿和采石业是圭亚那经济的重要组成部分，占出口额的50%。过去几年，由于黄金产量和价格不断上涨，该行业一直有所增值。
● 旅游
欢迎来到世界上生物多样性最高的国家之一。圭亚那的原始特色、独特的文化遗产和自然美景使它成为游客理想的旅游目的地。圭亚那提供了独特的旅游产品：原始雨林，开放的热带草原，山脉，河流和巨大的瀑布，其中最著名的是雄伟的凯丘大瀑布，是世界最大单级落差瀑布。
圭亚那是一些世界巨型动物的家园，如美洲虎，是南美洲最大的陆地食肉动物；世界上最大的巨型水獭；水豚，世界上最大的啮齿动物；巨滑舌鱼，世界上最大的淡水鱼；角雕，雨林中最强大的空中捕食者。这里的蚂蚁巢比人类的身高还高。巨大的河龟和黑凯门鳄，在其他地方濒危，在圭亚那却数量巨大。拥有超过900种鸟类，圭亚那逐渐成长为一个顶级的观鸟胜地。
乔治城的首府乔治城以其风景如画的林荫大道、熙熙攘攘的市场和木制建筑而闻名，其中包括著名的圣乔治大教堂，它是世界上最高的木制建筑之一。
圭亚那曾因其特殊的社区旅游而获奖。通过社区旅游，游客拥有体验自然和当地社区的生活方式的独特机会。这些观光点由热带雨林中的高质量生态度假村提供。开发和升级现有的旅游设施和服务具有投资机会。
● 制造业
圭亚那的制造业仅占国内生产总值的4%，雇佣了总人口的12%。扩大增值、出口导向型制造业等方面的利润逐渐增加：
• 木材加工业
• 农产工业——农产品加工、罐装和装瓶、化肥和杀虫剂
• 包装——制造包装材料和成品运输容器
• 皮革工艺品——制造皮革制品和纪念品
• 陶瓷——制造粘土、高岭土和硅砂制成品
• 建筑材料-石料、水泥、粘土砖、瓷砖、玻璃、玻璃制品和机械加工
• 扩大圭亚那的服装和服装生产可以在近年成功基础上，利用现有优惠贸易协定的优先准入权，优惠进入外国市场。
● IT服务
圭亚那拥有开放的IT市场和日益发展的IT服务业。目前已经达到了4G的水平，并且将在5年内扩展到5G。一些投资者已将圭亚那纳入位于拉丁美洲的业务流程外包（BPO）中心网络的一部分。目前，圭亚那有10家BPO呼叫中心公司。
外资政策与法律框架
• 外国投资者和国内投资者之间不存在歧视；
• 由政府担保的私人投资；
• 收益和利润的自由汇出；
• 允许雇用外籍人员并汇出净收入；
• 投资者知识产权和财产权利的具有法律保障；
外商直接投资是圭亚那经济发展的关键。因此，圭亚那的法律框架为投资者提供了保护。规范投资的立法保证了法律制度的可预测性、稳定性和透明度，促进了国际最佳实践的发展，简化了现有的投资程序。
2004年的投资法为国内外投资者提供公平待遇，均享有建立、拥有和经营企业的权利，从事各种形式的经济活动，只在特定的采矿和金融活动中有部分例外。
投资激励措施受到法律保护，具体表现是形式为所得税免税期、关税和增值税免税等。激励措施或在行业内普遍实施，或是在行业内的特殊和/或特定领域实施，这些行业包括农业和农业综合企业、制造业、林业、矿业、旅游业、渔业、住房、信息通信技术以及服装和纺织等。
除了对大多数制造业产品有利的市场准入外，圭亚那还为有意建立或扩大制造业务的投资者提供了许多优势:
劳动力竞争成本——圭亚那是加勒比海地区和中美洲最低的制造业工资水平之一。劳动力可培训、识字率高、说英语。
短的“投入市场合需时间”/交货期——圭亚那距离美洲市场很近，缩短了货品上市时间，对于希望供应商满足准时交货要求的公司来说非常有利。
获得当地资源——圭亚那的自然资源为特定行业制造商提供了大量当地即可获得的建筑材料。
工业园区的可用性——为了吸引制造业投资，圭亚那政府投资了许多工业园区，为材料、车辆、工厂和设备提供基础设施和投资优惠。
任何有进取精神的商人都会觉得投资圭亚那是值得的。圭亚那良好的经营环境，优惠的市场准入条件和投资激励措施使得在上述行业内能够轻松建立和扩大业务。
圭亚那和中国一直享有特别亲密和友好的关系。 这种关系建立在历史和文化纽带的基础上，双边和多边高层交往频繁，在政治，安全，贸易，金融，卫生和文化等领域保持着良好的关系。
圭亚那与中国达成最惠国待遇协议，并衷心欢迎中国投资者成为我们未来增长和发展的合作伙伴。 圭亚那正在寻求与中国公司的双赢关系。我们致力于支持能够为圭亚那人民带来繁荣的投资，加强圭亚那与中国的关系。（编辑：杨海霞）
英文版
Guyana Invites Chinese Companies to Invest in Win-Win Portnerships
By H. E. Mr. Bayney Karran, Ambassador of Guyana to China
In 1972, Guyana became the first English-speaking Caribbean country to open diplomatic relations with China. Ever since then our two countries have maintained a deep and lasting friendship. Guyana is located at the doorsteps of both the Caribbean and South America. This unique position, combined with the country’s enormous natural resources, provide excellent opportunities for enhancing trade and investment with China and other countries.
Guyana has recently discovered 3.2 billion barrels of proven oil reserves, placing the country on the launch pad for an economic lift-off. Economic performance in recent years has been extraordinary. Sound, investor-friendly policies mean there is a stable and predictable environment for business. This country offers lucrative sectors and is now a magnet for new investments. More importantly, Guyana is a gateway for preferential access to profitable international markets.
Resource and Market Access
As the only English-speaking country in South America, Guyana is known for its high quality agricultural, mineral and natural products including rice, sugar, vegetables, fruits, wood, gold, diamonds, bauxite and rum. These are products of the country’s extensive natural resources – mineral deposits, extensive forests, valuable timber, rivers, waterfalls and fertile land for crop and livestock production. Rich natural resources have long been the driving force behind the country’s development. Mining, agriculture, and forestry are major industries.
The word “Guyana” means Land of Many Waters. Marine and freshwater fish and seafood are exported. There is great potential for establishing aquaculture farms. With over 50 rivers and 80 waterfalls there is also enormous interest in building hydropower facilities. Guyana seeks to establish multiple hydropower systems ranging from 50-250 megawatts each. Likewise, the generation of wind and solar power offer attractive opportunities.
Goods produced in Guyana enjoy preferential access to key markets in Europe, the United States, Canada, Brazil, Colombia and the countries of the Caribbean Community. By virtue of these arrangements over 75% of Guyana’s exports are guaranteed to enter certain markets duty-free or with reduced duties. The geographic proximity to North and South American markets give Guyana’s exports preferential access to over 277 million consumers and a US$130+ billion market with overall purchasing power of over US$2 trillion.
Guyana is a member of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR), the group of Latin American and Caribbean States (GRULAC) and the Organization of American States (OAS): The country’s closest political, historical and cultural ties are with the English-speaking Caribbean. Guyana is the home of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat.
Prospects for Investment
Guyana’s land area is the same size as Hunan Province, 215,000 square km, but with a population of just 750,000 and annual GDP of approximately RMB 10 billion. Limited industrial capacity is due to the unavailability of domestic energy sources and the absence of technological innovation. The lack of road and river transportation networks, port facilities and logistics deprive the nation of the benefits of regional and global integration. Domestic output would be greatly expanded with infrastructure projects and energy generation in the form of hydro, wind and solar power.
Guyana’s path to sustainable development and economic prosperity lies in Foreign Direct Investment. The country’s economic fundamentals are strong. Its currency and macroeconomic indicators have been stable for more than 25 years. Since 1990, economic growth has steadily averaged about 4% per annum. The debt, fiscal and external balances are within sustainable levels. Growth in 2018 is expected to exceed 3 per cent.
With the recent discovery of oil and gas, and also with greater government support for renewable energies, more natural resources are now being put into the country’s service. The exportation of oil will begin in 2020. The rapidly evolving energy sector adds an entirely new dimension to Guyana’s economy. The Government of Guyana’s preparations for future hydrocarbon production are being designed to ensure sustainable long term growth.
Priority areas have been identified as Infrastructure, Clean and Renewable Energy, Agriculture, Mining, Forestry, Fishery and Tourism.
Infrastructure is fundamental to the development of the other sectors. A clean and renewable energy sector will boost productivity in primary sectors and spur job creation in others. The Government encourages investments which promote sustainable development and achieve growth.
Foreign investors would profit from investment in this economic transformation.
Those willing to look beyond Guyana’s national economic space to access additional markets in the Western Hemisphere would reap extra dividends. Guyana’s emergence as the region’s newest oil producer would guarantee unprecedented spin-off effects for all other sectors of the domestic economy and would expand to the Caribbean Community. Guyana invites Chinese companies to invest in win-win partnerships in these sectors.
Sector Details
Details on each sector are outlined below:
● Infrastructure
Guyana’s plans for infrastructural development fall within the framework of the China-CELAC Cooperation Forum and the UNASUR Initiative for the Integration of the Regional Infrastructure of South America.
Ninety percent of Guyana’s inhabitants occupy less than ten percent of its territory. Nearly 80% of the land area is rainforest. Transportation from the populated coast to interior areas and neighboring countries is arduous and costly for want of infrastructure. The creation of an air transport hub for passengers and cargo between North and South America is a major objective. In anticipation of increased trade an airport on the border with Brazil is under consideration.
The Government’s top priority is the construction of a 455km road corridor linking the northern part of Brazil with Guyana. This Linden-Lethem road link is the most direct means to connect Brazil with the North Atlantic. It is estimated that between 35,000 and 60,000 containers annually will travel this route. The construction of the first 122 km is expected to be completed by 2020. For the remaining 330km, all financing options would be considered, whether PPPs, toll roads concessions or special economic zones. The road will link up to a future deepwater port that would fulfil the transportation needs of Brazil and serve Guyana’s ambitions as a transshipment hub.
Besides the Linden-Lethem road, the Government plans the construction of 600 km of new roads by 2025 to connect villages along the Essequibo River. This project will replace river transportation and open up access to a million hectares of land. These designs have been completed and interested partners are being sought to carry out the works.
Energy
Guyana’s petroleum sector will be producing 120,000 bpd barrels per day from 2020 and should triple that quantity by 2025. The three foreign companies that will be involved in this production are China’s Nexen, Exxonmobil and Hess. Further oil discoveries are highly likely. Chinese companies are welcome to take part in down-stream and processing activities.
Guyana’s physical and climatic conditions feature year-round sunshine, strong sea breezes and an abundance of rivers and waterfalls, making it a prime candidate for solar, wind and hydro power generation. Over 72 sites have been identified for potential hydropower generation, some of which are at the feasibility and pre-feasibility stages.
A clean and renewable energy sector would export surplus electricity and improve generation, transmission and distribution across the entire country. This objective is supported by a five-point programme comprising the (i) sustainable exploitation of the country’s natural resources (ii) establishment of a solid waste programme; (iii) promotion of sustainable energy; (iv) promotion of the ecological integrity of the forests; and (v) implementation of green technologies.
The cultivation of agricultural crops for the production of biofuels can be started immediately since lands have been specifically earmarked for such production. The by-products of Guyana’s extensive sugar industry can provide biofuels, such as ethanol.
● Forest Products
The forests contain over 1,000 different varieties of wood. Currently, 120 species of hard and softwoods are being logged. Between 12 and 15 of these logged on a commercial scale through a system of concessions. Guyana exports timber in raw or semi-processed forms. It is a now requirement that value be added to forest products before export. Lucrative opportunities exist for investors interested in the production of hardwood and wicker furniture, plywood and veneers, molding, doors, parquet, floor tiles and other wood products.
● Agriculture
Highly fertile soil in the coastal areas currently produce rice, sugar cane and other crops. Extensive savannahs have untapped opportunities for dairy, beef, mutton, cashews, legumes, soybeans and other products. Foreign investors can easily develop high value niche markets such as aromatic rice and medicinal crops. Organic produce may be farmed on lands which are free of agricultural chemicals. Vegetables, fruits and herbs can supply China as well as the lucrative Caribbean and North American markets. Domestic or foreign food processors can be supplied with produce for the export of spices, livestock and dairy products, processed or semi-processed foods and animal products.
Ideal physical conditions exist for a dynamic seafood and fisheries industry, including a 460 km Atlantic coastal zone and an extensive network of rivers. Guyana has a marine area of nearly 140,000 square kilometers in the Atlantic Ocean. China, the United States of America and Europe are key markets for most seafood exports.
● Mining and Quarrying
The mining sector is presently focused on the extraction of gold, bauxite and diamonds. However, there are also untapped reserves of rare earth metals, semi-precious stones, laterite, manganese, kaolin, sand, radioactive minerals, copper, molybdenum, tungsten, iron, and nickel among others. Guyana produces high-value refractory-A-grade bauxite. The Government is interested in securing large-scale investors for the gold mining industry, for exploration of other reserves and to improve the efficiency and productivity of operations. The mining and quarrying sector represents a critical component of Guyana’s economy, accounting for 50 per cent of exports. The sector has grown in value over the past few years as a result of increasing gold output and prices.
● Tourism
Welcome to one of the highest levels of biodiversity in the world. Guyana’s pristine features, unique cultural heritage and natural beauties make it an ideal destination for tourists. The country offers a distinct product: virgin rainforests, open savannahs, mountains, rivers and huge waterfalls, the most famous of which is the majestic Kaiteur Falls, the highest single drop waterfall in the world.
The country is home to some of the world’s giants namely, the Jaguar, the largest terrestrial carnivore in South America; the Giant River Otter, largest in the world; the capybara, the world’s largest rodent; the Arapaima, the world’s largest freshwater fish; the Harpy eagle, the most powerful aerial predator in the rainforest. Ants nests are taller than men. The Giant River Turtle and Black Caiman, endangered elsewhere, are numerous. With more than 900 species of birds, Guyana is emerging as a top birding destination.
The capital, Georgetown, is famous for its picturesque, tree-lined avenues, bustling markets and wooden buildings, including the renowned St. George’s Cathedral, one of the world’s tallest wooden buildings.
Guyana is an award-winning destination for its special brand of community tourism. Through community tourism, visitors have a unique opportunity to experience nature and the way of life of the native communities. These sites are served by high-quality eco-resorts in the rainforest. There are investment opportunities to develop and upgrade existing tourist facilities and services.
● Manufacturing
Guyana’s manufacturing industry contributes just 4 percent towards the country’s GDP and employs approximately 12 percent of the population. There is growing interest to expand value-added, export-oriented manufacturing industries such as:
• Manufactured forest products.
• Agro industries – processing, canning and bottling of agricultural produce; fertilizers and insecticides.
• Packaging – manufacture of packaging materials and containers for transport of finished products
• Leather craft – manufacture of leather products and souvenirs
• Ceramics – manufacture of articles constructed of clay, kaolin and silica sand
• Construction Materials – stone, cement, clay blocks, tiles, glass, glass products and machining
• Expanding Guyana’s garments and apparel manufacturing can build upon recent successes and take advantage of preferential access to foreign markets under existing preferential trade agreements.
● IT-Enabled Services
Guyana has an open IT market and a growing IT enabled Services Industry. Technology is now at 4G and will extend to 5G within 5 years. Some investors have included Guyana as part of a network of business process outsourcing (BPO) centers located in Latin America. Presently there are ten BPO call centre companies in Guyana.
Investment Framework
Features of Guyana’s Investment Frame-Work are:
• No discrimination between foreign and domestic investors;
• Private investments guaranteed by the Government;
• Free repatriation of proceeds and profits;
• Permission to hire foreign personnel and repatriate net earnings;
• Legal guarantee for intellectual and property rights of investors;
Legislative Framework
Foreign Direct Investment is critical to Guyana’s economic development. Therefore its legal framework offers protection to investors. Legislation regulating investments guarantee the predictability, stability and transparency of the legal regime, promote the development of international best practices and streamline existing procedures for investments.
The Investment Act of 2004 provides for foreign and domestic investors to receive equitable treatment, enjoy the right to establish, own and operate business enterprises and to engage in all forms of economic activity – with limited exceptions in certain mining and finance operations.
Investment incentives are guaranteed by the law in the form of income tax holidays, tariff and value-added tax exemptions and so forth. These may be general, special and/or sector-specific in the areas which include agriculture and agribusiness, manufacturing, forestry, mining, tourism, fisheries, housing, ICT and the garment and textile sectors.
In addition to favourable market access for most manufactured products, Guyana provides a number of advantages to investors interested in establishing or expanding manufacturing operations:
● Competitive cost of labour – Guyana has one of the lowest manufacturing wage rates in the Caribbean and Central America. The workforce is trainable, highly literate and English-speaking.
● Low ‘time to market’/lead time – Guyana’s close proximity to markets in the Americas gives it a shorter time-to-market and is useful for companies wishing to find suppliers to meet their just-in-time delivery requirements.
● Access to local inputs – Guyana’s natural resources provide manufacturers in specific sectors with an abundance of locally-available and construction materials sectors.
● Availability of industrial parks – In an effort to attract manufacturing investments, the Government of Guyana has invested in a number of industrial parks with infrastructure and investment concessions for materials, vehicles, plants and equipment.
A Final Word
Any enterprising businessman would find it rewarding to invest in Guyana. The country’s favourable operating environment, access to preferential markets and investment incentives allow for the easy establishment and or expansion of operations in the aforementioned sectors.
Guyana and China have always enjoyed particularly close and friendly relations. This relationship is founded on historical and cultural ties which are maintained through frequent high-level exchanges at the bilateral and multilateral levels, in the areas of politics, security, trade, finance, health and culture.
Guyana has a Most Favoured Nation trade agreement with China and wholeheartedly welcomes Chinese investors as partners in our future growth and development. Guyana is seeking win-win relationships with Chinese companies. We are committed to supporting investments which would lead to prosperity for the Guyanese people and to strengthening ties between Guyana and China.