As Guyana prepares to mark five years since first oil, an annual networking event linking it with the North-east of Scotland has attracted its biggest ever gathering.
With an emphasis on case studies highlighting the experiences of UK companies expanding into the emerging South American market, the sixth annual Aberdeen-Guyana Gateway hosted by Granite PR attracted more than 100 delegates and a leading line-up of speakers including Aberdeen Lord Provost Dr David Cameron and Guyana's High Commissioner to the UK, His Excellency Dr Rajendra Singh.
With a reported 49% economic growth in the first six months of this year and £1.6billion of trade between the UK and Guyana (three times the amount in 2021), the event spotlighted opportunities in the energy sector as well as in the Guyanese non-oil economy which is forecast to grow by almost 12% by the end of this year.
Among the companies sharing their experiences, and demonstrating the benefits of partnerships between North-east and Guyanese companies, was Transportation & Logistic Consulting (TLC) which launched in Guyana in 2018 via a joint venture with well-established local business, John Fernandes Ltd. From a starting position of two staff, the company now employs 18 permanent members of staff, the vast majority of whom are local.
Speakers at the 2024 Aberdeen-Guyana Gateway is attached for your consideration.
For the Guyana Development Consortium and Qualco Guyana, both of whom have growing connections in the country, the focus was firmly on emphasising to listeners the importance of bringing about positive change and the necessity for local content which extends beyond people into the likes of training and procurement.
Addressing a busy Macdonald Norwood Hall Hotel session, His Excellency Dr Rajendra Singh told delegates: “It was important to come together to celebrate not only our long relationship but also what is to come.
“Guyana is open for business and investors but has an obligation to protect our environment and people. We see ourselves partnering with Aberdeen not only in the oil and gas supply chain but also in agriculture, aquaculture and ecotourism.”
Chairing the event was former British High Commissioner to Guyana Greg Quinn OBE who now operates Aodhan Consultancy Ltd which specialises in areas such as business development, government relations, and political analysis. He said: “We have come a long way since the first Aberdeen-Guyana Gateway in 2018. The relationship between Guyana and Aberdeen/Aberdeenshire is a partnership designed to benefit us both and one which builds on the region’s experience and expertise both in the energy and non-oil and gas sectors.”
The Aberdeen-Guyana Gateway is supported by 3t EnerMech, Aberdeen City Council, ABIS Energy, Aodhan Consultancy Ltd, ETZ, Farfan & Mendes, Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Guyana Development Consortium, interCaribbean Airways, Merrimac International Executive Search, Quality Companies/Qualco Guyana, Rig Control Products, TLC Transportation & Logistic Consulting, and Wings Global Travel.
To find out more about Granite PR’s Gateway series of events, visit www.granitepr.co.uk