PM urges Canadian investors to explore opportunities beyond mining

Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d), Mark Phillips, has encouraged Canadian investors to expand their business interests in Guyana beyond the traditional mining sector, highlighting opportunities in energy, agriculture, infrastructure and other emerging industries as the country continues to diversify its economy.

The Prime Minister made the call on Wednesday evening during a reception for The Chair’s Circle, held as part of the Canada–Guyana Trade Mission 2026, where he reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to strengthening bilateral trade and investment relations and fostering long-term commercial partnerships between the two countries.

“Guyana is open for business, and Guyana is open to doing business with Canada. We welcome Canadian companies, investors, entrepreneurs, manufacturers, service providers and traders who wish to partner with us to build lasting prosperity.”

He noted that while Canadian companies have maintained a longstanding presence in Guyana’s mining industry, the country’s ongoing economic transformation presents considerable opportunities for investment across several other sectors.

In particular, Prime Minister Phillips identified oil and gas as an area where Canadian expertise in engineering, equipment manufacturing, environmental management, logistics and technical services could support the industry’s continued development.

He also highlighted opportunities in agriculture and agro-processing, including investments in modern farming equipment, irrigation, storage and food-processing technologies. In infrastructure, he pointed to opportunities in engineering, construction, transport planning and water-management systems.

The Honourable Prime Minister emphasised that attracting foreign investment must also contribute to developing local expertise, strengthening domestic businesses and creating sustainable economic opportunities for Guyanese.

“Our ambition is not simply to attract investment, but to ensure that investment contributes to a stronger and more diversified Guyanese economy.”

Turning to bilateral relations, Prime Minister Phillips acknowledged Canada’s longstanding contribution to Guyana’s development and the strong people-to-people connections between the two countries.

He noted that approximately 86,000 persons of Guyanese origin reside in Canada, describing the diaspora as an important link capable of facilitating business relationships, knowledge-sharing and investment.

PM Phillips also pointed to the growth in bilateral trade, noting that both imports and exports recorded aggregate growth of more than 50 per cent between 2021 and 2025.

He said this positive trajectory provides a foundation for further expanding commercial exchanges and encouraging greater participation by small and medium-sized enterprises.

Positioning Guyana as a strategic investment destination, Prime Minister Phillips highlighted the country’s membership in CARICOM and its geographical proximity to Brazil and Suriname, noting that these advantages provide Canadian businesses with opportunities to access markets across the Caribbean and northern South America.

He further encouraged Canadian companies to consider Guyana as a dependable trading partner and a base for expanding their regional commercial operations.

While reaffirming the Government’s responsibility to create an enabling environment for investment, the Prime Minister underscored the importance of private-sector initiative in transforming opportunities into tangible economic benefits.

He urged participants in the trade mission to pursue concrete proposals, strengthen business-to-business engagement and develop partnerships that generate employment, innovation and shared prosperity.

“Let this Trade Mission be remembered not merely as a visit, but as a turning point in the evolution of Guyana–Canada economic relations.”
Prime Minister Mark Phillips also reaffirmed the enduring friendship between Guyana and Canada and expressing optimism that the mission would lead to stronger commercial partnerships and lasting benefits for both countries.