Georgetown, Guyana: Guyana is set to open its first World Trade Center (WTC) this year, and there’s already a buzz around the potential for increased trade and international connections.
According to Robin van Puyenbroeck, Executive Director for Business Development of the World Trade Centre Association, Guyana’s economic boom has attracted significant interest from businesses worldwide, including other WTCs. This interest extends beyond just Guyana’s growth, as van Puyenbroeck explains, “Many see Guyana’s Trade Center as a gateway to Latin America and the Caribbean, and as a bridge between North and South America.”
The upcoming WTC in Georgetown has already garnered significant attention. At the recent Global Business Forum in India, the WTC Georgetown signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with four Indian WTCs, paving the way for collaboration in areas like trade information sharing, market access strategies, and business promotion. Additional MoUs were signed with the WTCs in Panama City and Winnipeg.
The rationale behind establishing a WTC in Guyana is clear, according to van Puyenbroeck. This internationally recognized facility will connect Guyana to a network of over 300 WTCs globally, providing Guyanese businesses with access to trade information, new markets, and international trade delegations.
Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) holds the license for Guyana’s WTC, making it the first-ever in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). The WTC Guyana office will be located at DDL’s High Street, Kingston, Georgetown office.