While continuing to lobby for the removal or reduction of U.S.-imposed tariffs, Guyana is actively exploring alternative strategies to ensure its exporters and broader economy remain competitive globally. This is according to the country’s Chief Investment Officer Dr. Peter Ramsaroop during an exclusive interview with the News Room on Tuesday.
The Guyanese Government has been engaged in ongoing dialogue with the United States regarding new tariffs, including those placed on Chinese-manufactured ships and the tariffs affecting various imports.
“The government has been actively engaging the U.S. across the board on the tariff issue,” Ramsaroop stated.
“Some of the numbers initially circulated were standardised estimates and, when examined more closely, reflect a much smaller impact. Nonetheless, we’re advocating strongly on behalf of exporters,” he added.
Despite the temporary pause on the 10% baseline tariff, Guyana believes that exporters should not suffer competitive disadvantages, especially as the measure is being applied uniformly across jurisdictions.
Rather than relying solely on tariff negotiations, Guyana is positioning itself as a hub for manufacturing and investment, inviting global businesses, particularly from the Asia region, to consider relocating production facilities to the Caribbean.
“Why sell your car to CARICOM? Why not come and build it here in Guyana?” the Chief Investment Officer quizzed.
“That’s the opportunity we’re putting forward—bring your manufacturing to the region and take advantage of the benefits available here,” Dr. Ramsaroop added.
Citing Guyana’s vast reserves of natural resources, including an estimated 1.5 billion tonnes of bauxite, he highlighted the country’s potential for downstream industries such as glass and solar panel production.
“Why should we be importing solar panels from China or Indiana when we have the silica and the capacity to manufacture them right here?” he added.
Guyana is also leveraging its preferential trade relationships, including duty- and tariff-free access to the European Union under the CARIFORUM-EU Economic Partnership Agreement. This arrangement allows CARICOM member states, including Guyana, to export their products to the EU without additional duties or tariffs—an opportunity the government is encouraging local producers to fully capitalise on.
Emphasising a stable investment climate, the government is promoting a long-term, integrated development strategy that includes infrastructure, education, healthcare, and macroeconomic stability—conditions which, the official said, have already begun attracting international attention.
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