GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC—A high-level Canadian trade delegation ended a four-day visit to Guyana Friday, underscoring the “dynamic and strategic” partnership between the two countries.
“Canada has a longstanding friendship with Guyana, and we believe there is tremendous potential for Canadian companies to contribute to Guyana’s future. Canada has a longstanding tradition of delivering high-quality goods and services as well as sharing its extensive expertise and know-how,” said the Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana, Sébastien Sigouin.
“This visit represents Canada’s commitment to supporting Guyana’s transformation journey and fostering a relationship based on core leadership values such as respect, transparency, ethical business practices, and high standards,” the diplomat added.
The delegation, which included representatives from Canada’s top commercial and development entities, sought to strengthen economic ties and explore substantial investment opportunities in Guyana. The nation is experiencing rapid economic growth fueled by its emerging energy sector.
A statement issued by the Canadian High Commission said that the delegation comprised officials from the Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC), Export Development Canada (EDC), ON2 Solutions, WSP, and Aecon.
It said that they held meetings with President Irfaan Ali, various government ministers, and representatives from Scotiabank and the Guyana Office for Investment (G-Invest).
“President Ali welcomed the delegation’s presence and shared his vision for Guyana’s growth, emphasizing the importance of foreign partnerships in achieving Guyana’s national development goals. President Ali commended Canada’s longstanding partnership with Guyana and expressed confidence that deeper bilateral cooperation could foster significant progress in sustainable development and infrastructure transformation that will benefit both countries and the region,” the statement noted.
“The visit highlighted Canada’s commitment to fostering a dynamic and strategic partnership with Guyana, focusing on Guyana’s expanding economy and emerging needs for sustainable critical infrastructure solutions.”
The statement that ON2 Solutions, a leader in medical oxygen solutions, discussed opportunities to strengthen Guyana’s healthcare infrastructure, including potential collaborations to enhance medical oxygen supply chains, an area crucial for ensuring resilience in the healthcare system.
“Infrastructure giants WSP and Aecon explored ways to contribute to Guyana’s ambitious public works and housing initiatives. With Guyana’s urban and rural areas both experiencing growth, the expertise of WSP and Aecon in several projects was met with interest from Guyanese officials eager to learn from Canada’s experience in sustainable infrastructure development.”
The statement said these discussions centered on creating housing and transportation networks that could support Guyana’s economic trajectory while improving the quality of life for its citizens.
Export Development Canada (EDC) and the Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC) discussed financial solutions to support Canadian companies’ market investments.
“Their goal was to introduce a partnership model that supports robust project development while ensuring long-term benefits for Guyana, especially through a government-to-government and P3 frameworks.”
The discussions with Scotiabank and G-Invest focused on creating financial structures and incentives to attract further investment from Canadian businesses.
The statement said the four-day visit has set a promising trajectory for future collaborations between Canadian and Guyanese stakeholders.
“The Canadian delegation expressed optimism about transforming initial discussions into concrete partnerships, with several sectors identified for immediate collaboration. Canada’s emphasis on ethical business practices and long-term value creation was well received by Guyanese officials, who recognized these qualities as essential for sustainable and inclusive growth,” it added.
“ The visit has reaffirmed Canada’s readiness to invest in Guyana’s future and to position Canadian companies as key contributors to the country’s ambitious development goals.”
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