President Dr. Irfaan Ali on Friday evening officially commissioned the World Trade Center Georgetown (WTCG), describing the landmark development as a powerful tool to propel Guyana’s businesses onto the global stage. The facility, located on High Street, is the first World Trade Center in the CARICOM region and is positioned to support Guyana’s rapidly transforming economy.
Outfitted with state-of-the-art technologies, integrated security systems, and eco-friendly features, the WTCG is a multi-storey, modern commercial hub designed to attract international attention and facilitate trade. It is a major signal, President Ali said, that Guyana is “ready to play in any league.”
“The World Trade Center Georgetown is a powerful example of private sector initiative aligned with national development… I look forward to the World Trade Center Georgetown helping to shape this new economic culture in our country; one that speaks the language of export readiness, trade facilitation and global competitiveness with the tools, networks and exposure needed to compete and win on the global stage,” the president stated.
While praising the investment as a reflection of the private sector’s confidence in Guyana’s economic trajectory—largely fueled by its oil and gas sector—President Ali also emphasized the need for transformative thinking and institutional agility to handle the magnitude of opportunities now emerging.
“We need partnership, we need transfer of technology, we need integration of human capital, and we need efficiency of doing business,” he said, underscoring that embracing international best practices is no longer optional, but essential.
Empowering small businesses
Ali stressed that a facility like WTCG must do more than host meetings—it must yield tangible outcomes. He called for the center to become a dynamic trade facilitator, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) looking to scale up and reach export markets.
To support these businesses, the Guyanese government is working on a special investment vehicle that will allow co-investment at zero-percent interest to ease the burden on SMEs and reduce collateral requirements.
“The government will put in financing at 0% cost so that the capital market can reduce their interest rate and match that financing… All of this will come together to help our SMEs,” Ali stated.
DDL’s role and global partnerships
The WTCG is operated by Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL), which secured the license in March 2022. DDL Chairman Komal Samaroo revealed that since acquiring the license, WTCG has actively promoted Guyana as an investment destination at forums worldwide.
The center has already signed Memorandums of Understanding with sister WTCs in Panama, India, and the United States, covering collaboration in information exchange, regulatory development, market access, and business training. Through a partnership with WTC Miami, three Guyanese manufacturers participated in the American Food and Beverage Show.
“Now that this building is complete and commissioned, and the WTCG is fully operational, we’re going to be actively involved in bringing opportunities to the businesses in Guyana, particularly in the small, medium and micro business sectors,” Samaroo said.
The WTCG has also been working with Guyana’s diplomatic missions in Asia, Africa, and Latin America to help open new markets for local products.
President Ali concluded by positioning the WTCG as a nation-building initiative, not just a commercial space. He envisioned the center as a future hub for international trade missions, cross-border business dialogues, and new commercial standards.
“Let it inspire new standards. Let it incubate businesses… Let it be a center of training, facilitating and empowering not just top corporations but small businesses… Let it help Guyana pivot from a resource-based economy to the knowledge-driven, globally integrated one.”
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