Tariff Trouble: Guyana to Negotiate with US Over 38% Import Duty

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo announced that Guyana will engage with the U.S. administration to challenge a new 38% reciprocal tariff that threatens to affect local exporters. The tariff is based on a reported trade surplus, but discrepancies exist between Guyanese and U.S. trade data. Jagdeo believes that reconciling those figures—and pointing out that petroleum, a major export, is exempt—could lead to a reduced rate. The government assured exporters that it will provide support to mitigate any impacts.

“We Won’t Pay for Sloppy Work”: Gov’t Enforces Strict Standards in Linden Road Projects

Minister Edghill warned contractors that substandard roadwork will be rejected without payment.
With 410 of 505 lots completed, this $4.2B initiative has engaged hundreds of Linden’s small contractors. Projects must pass strength tests of 4500 PSI, and suppliers prioritizing private jobs over government ones have been reprimanded. The initiative underscores the government's “value-for-money” approach to infrastructure.

Business Opportunities Based On Today’s Developments

SMALL ENTERPRISE OPPORTUNITIES

1. TVET-Aligned Skills Training & Micro-Certification Services

Opportunity: Offer short-term, private certification programs aligned with the new TVET 2025–2035 policy to fill the skilled labor gap in trades such as electrical work, plumbing, mechanics, and digital literacy.

Why now:

• Government is investing heavily in workforce development

• Shortage of skilled workers is urgent

• Small businesses can partner with local schools or operate mobile training hubs

Note: Consider CANTA standards to align certificates with regional mobility. Partnerships with BIT (Board of Industrial Training) could fast-track credibility.

2. Community Roadworks Support Services (Subcontracting and Supply)

Opportunity: Supply or subcontract materials, equipment, or labor for roadworks in regions like Linden and Region Six, where over 400+ roads are currently being built or repaired.

Why now:

• $45B+ already spent on road upgrades with hundreds of local contracts

• Shortage of concrete, foremen, and skilled site workers highlighted by Edghill

• Government is prioritizing local contractors

Note: Offer services such as concrete mixing, drainage installation, small machinery rental, or labor supply on a per-project basis.

3. Kite Safety & Event Vendor Services (Seasonal Business)

Opportunity: Provide kiting safety gear, refreshments, and pop-up recreational experiences near designated safe kite-flying zones. Partner with schools and local councils.

Why now:

• Police are enforcing road safety during kite-flying season

• Parents are seeking safer venues away from roads

• Strong opportunity for seasonal retail, snack vending, and children’s games

Note: Work with municipalities to secure vendor permits or run weekend-only pop-ups in high-traffic open areas.

MEDIUM ENTERPRISE OPPORTUNITIES

1. Medical Student Housing & Health Tourism Lodging

Opportunity: Develop student-focused accommodations near the new Medical Sciences College at UG or offer extended-stay lodging to families of regional medical students and patients.

Why now:

• Guyana is actively positioning itself as a regional medical education hub

• Government is pushing to attract international students

• Nearby short-term housing will be in demand

Note: Think dorm-style or co-living models with bundled services like laundry and transport. A good candidate for a PPP (public-private partnership) or soft loan from development banks.

2. Digital Education Content & EdTech Services

Opportunity: Build digital learning content, platforms, or plug-in tools aligned with Guyana’s new Digital School and CSEC online curriculum.

Why now:

• The government is rolling out a national Digital School with 2,400+ users already

• Huge opportunity for content localization and supplementary training products

• Opportunity to expand to other CARICOM markets

Note: Develop interactive modules in STEM, entrepreneurship, or soft skills. There’s space to license content to the Ministry of Education or regional schools.

3. Construction Materials Manufacturing or Aggregation Hub

Opportunity: Establish a local concrete mixing and delivery business or aggregate depot, especially to serve Linden and Region 6 where 1,600+ roads have been repaired since 2020.

Why now:

• Contractors are struggling with delayed concrete supply

• Government has flagged supplier-side issues

• Contractors need PSI-tested, certified concrete to avoid rework

Note: Add value by offering mobile lab testing or technical support to small contractors, ensuring government PSI compliance.

LARGE ENTERPRISE OPPORTUNITIES

1. Regional Medical School Franchise or Expansion

Opportunity: Launch or franchise a Caribbean-branded medical university program in partnership with UG or as a private school. Target regional and African students.

Why now:

• Guyana wants to become a global provider of medical education

• Regional shortage of trained doctors and health workers

• World Bank-backed infrastructure is now in place

Note: Think of a model similar to Ross University (Dominica) or St. George’s (Grenada). Focus on specialty areas where demand is high and student loans are accessible.

2. Export Processing Facility for Agro-Products Facing New Tariff Risks

Opportunity: Build a compliance-focused agro-processing or packaging facility to help local exporters meet new reciprocal tariff standards imposed by the US.

Why now:

• Guyana faces a 38% reciprocal tariff under new US policy

• Local exporters will need to justify value addition or find new trade routes

• An export processing hub could shift raw exports to semi-processed goods

Note: Target coconut, cassava, frozen produce, seafood. Facilities must meet international traceability, safety, and certification requirements.

3. Public Health Technology & Surveillance Systems

Opportunity: Partner with government to implement digital pandemic surveillance and response systems under the US$22M One Health Project.

Why now:

• Government just signed major financing deal with World Bank

• Need for lab automation, real-time reporting systems, border monitoring, AI-based outbreak prediction

• Strong appetite for integrated cross-agency platforms

Note: Build systems that bridge veterinary, environmental, and human health systems. Integrate biometric verification, mobile data collection, and cloud-based analytics.

Side Hustle Ideas Based On Today’s Developments

1. Digital Study Coach for CSEC Students (via WhatsApp or Zoom)

What it is:

Offer paid micro tutoring and exam prep sessions for students sitting CSEC, aligned with the new Guyana Digital School platform and the Ministry of Education’s curriculum.

Why it works:

• The government is aggressively pushing e-learning tools for Grades 10 and 11.

• Many parents want personalized guidance, especially for students using online systems without teacher supervision.

• WhatsApp, Zoom, or even Instagram DMs are enough to run this service in its early stages.

How to start:

• Pick 1–2 subjects you're good at (Math, English, Social Studies).

• Offer 30-minute sessions for $1,000–$2,000 GYD.

• Market through Facebook groups, school pages, and parent WhatsApp chats.

Expansion potential:

• Group sessions

• Bundled revision packs

• Subscription-based revision groups via Telegram or private WhatsApp broadcast lists

2. Concrete Testing Agent for Small Contractors

What it is:

Become a mobile intermediary for concrete PSI testing and site readiness assessment for community contractors building roads and sidewalks in places like Linden and Region 6.

Why it works:

• Government now mandates that all concrete roads must meet 4,500 PSI strength.

• Small contractors don’t have testing equipment or time to go to labs.

• You can become the link between government labs and community projects, charging a service fee for coordination, scheduling, or pickup/delivery of test samples.

How to start:

• Learn the PSI testing requirements and process from the Ministry of Public Works or an existing lab.

• Build relationships with labs and offer to handle pickups or mobile coordination for contractors.

• Charge a flat GYD $10,000–$15,000 per project for testing coordination and compliance checks.

Expansion potential:

• Offer digital checklists or templates

• Partner with cement suppliers

• Provide equipment rental (concrete vibrators, mixers) later

3. Event Space Locator + Rental Matchmaker

What it is:

A side hustle where you connect private, underused spaces (yards, rooftops, church halls) with people planning events like birthdays, kite-flying parties, school meetups, and corporate retreats.

Why it works:

• Holiday seasons like Easter (kite flying) and summer have growing demand for safe, outdoor venues.

• Many families want safer spaces than roadside areas for children’s activities.

• Landlords or property owners are looking for low-maintenance income.

How to start:

• Make a list of 10–15 homes, churches, or rooftops you know in your community.

• Ask owners if they’d allow limited events for a cut of the fee (e.g., 20% commission).

• Promote available spaces on Facebook Marketplace and local classifieds.

Expansion potential:

• Bundle with chair/tent rental or food vendors

• Create a basic website or Instagram listing service

• Add security or event management services in future