EU Trade Mission Eyes Healthcare Investments in Guyana

A European Union (EU) trade delegation is set to visit Guyana in June 2025 to explore investment opportunities in the country’s growing healthcare sector. Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony announced that the mission will focus on partnerships in academic training, healthcare services, and infrastructure development. This move aligns with Guyana’s push to revamp its healthcare system and establish a world-class medical sector by 2030. The EU has been increasing trade ties with Guyana, with bilateral trade reaching $11 billion between 2017 and 2023.

Guyana Pushes for Private Sector-Led Growth in Trade With Brazil

During Guyana’s trade mission in Northern Brazil, officials emphasized that economic relations between the two countries must move beyond government-to-government agreements. The Chief Investment Officer of Go-Invest, Dr. Peter Ramsaroop, positioned Guyana as an investor-friendly destination with policies that encourage trade. Guyana is keen to increase imports of Brazilian agricultural products, construction materials, and grain for local and Caribbean markets while offering Northern Brazil access to its expanding port facilities.

Business Opportunities Based On Today’s Developments

Small Enterprises (SE) – Best Opportunities

1. Election Security & Compliance Training for Businesses

   • With heightened attention on election laws and fraud prevention, there’s a need for corporate training services to educate businesses on compliance, security, and best practices during election seasons.

   • Opportunity: Offer workshops or digital courses for businesses, media houses, and NGOs to help them navigate election-related regulations and reporting requirements.

   • Monetization: Subscription-based webinars, in-person workshops, or corporate retainers for compliance consulting.

2. Courier & Payment Processing Services for Cash Grants

   • The government’s ongoing $100,000 cash grant distribution is a logistical challenge, with thousands of citizens still needing to collect payments.

   • Opportunity: A small business could partner with NDCs and RDCs to provide secure cash pick-up and delivery services for senior citizens and persons with disabilities who are eligible for the grant but unable to collect it themselves.

   • Monetization: Charging a fixed delivery fee per transaction or commission-based fees from local councils.

3. Rural Healthcare Supply Distribution

   • With the EU’s upcoming healthcare trade mission and Guyana’s push to modernize medical infrastructure, there’s a growing need for last-mile delivery of healthcare goods to rural and hinterland areas.

   • Opportunity: A small enterprise can specialize in delivering pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, and healthcare supplies to clinics, hospitals, and independent practitioners in underdeveloped regions.

   • Monetization: Partnerships with medical distributors, government tenders, or direct supply contracts with private healthcare providers.

Medium Enterprises (ME) – Best Opportunities

1. Healthcare Training & Certification Partnerships

   • With multiple foreign universities exploring partnerships in Guyana’s healthcare sector, there is an opportunity to facilitate medical training, accreditation programs, and skill development courses.

   • Opportunity: Establish a training and certification center for healthcare professionals in collaboration with EU-based institutions. This could focus on nursing, emergency medical services, or hospital administration.

   • Monetization: Course fees, licensing agreements with universities, and government contracts for workforce development.

2. Election Logistics & Technology Solutions

   • The election fraud trial and upcoming elections highlight the demand for transparent, efficient election monitoring solutions.

   • Opportunity: A company can develop or import software/hardware solutions for election monitoring, electronic voter verification, and secure data transmission for political parties, government bodies, and NGOs.

   • Monetization: Subscription models for electoral bodies, licensing fees for political organizations, or service contracts with international election observers.

3. Construction & Infrastructure for Interior Development

   • With Guyana pushing for interior development (Silica City and the Linden-Lethem highway), construction-related businesses have a prime opportunity to participate.

   • Opportunity: Provide prefabricated housing, road development services, or modular commercial building solutions for emerging communities.

   • Monetization: Bidding for government contracts, private developer partnerships, and build-to-suit models for investors looking to relocate inland.

Large Enterprises (LE) – Best Opportunities

1. Public-Private Partnership in Healthcare Infrastructure

   • The EU’s trade mission signals international interest in Guyana’s healthcare sector, creating an opening for large enterprises to invest in public-private healthcare ventures.

   • Opportunity: Develop private hospitals, diagnostic centers, or medical research facilities in partnership with European investors.

   • Monetization: Medical tourism, government-backed contracts, and strategic partnerships with international pharmaceutical firms.

2. Industrial & Renewable Energy Expansion in Wales

   • The Wales Industrial Hub is being positioned as a major energy and industrial corridor with Guyana’s Gas-to-Energy projects.

   • Opportunity: Large enterprises in manufacturing, logistics, and industrial processing can establish facilities to leverage the upcoming energy cost reductions and access to heavy-duty infrastructure.

   • Monetization: Manufacturing and export-oriented businesses capitalizing on low energy costs, industrial land leasing, and strategic partnerships with energy companies.

3. Cross-Border Trade & Security Solutions

   • With the escalating Venezuela-Guyana border conflict and concerns over economic security, businesses focused on trade facilitation, supply chain security, and cross-border logistics have major growth potential.

   • Opportunity: Invest in secured trade corridors, advanced border security technology, and regional trade route optimization to ensure continuity of business operations in uncertain geopolitical conditions.

   • Monetization: Government and private security contracts, trade facilitation fees, and cross-border logistics agreements.

Key Takeaways & Notes

• Political & Economic Stability Matters: Many of these opportunities hinge on Guyana maintaining a stable business environment amid elections and territorial disputes.

• Government Tenders & Foreign Investment: Several sectors, particularly healthcare and infrastructure, are likely to benefit from increased government spending and foreign direct investment.

• First-Mover Advantage: Businesses that position themselves early in these sectors will gain the most traction, particularly in healthcare, election security, and industrial expansion.

Side Hustle Ideas Based On Today’s Developments

1. Election Compliance & Documentation Services

With Guyana heading into an election cycle and heightened scrutiny on election laws, there is a growing demand for professionals who can help businesses and individuals navigate compliance requirements.

How It Works:

• Offer documentation and compliance assistance to businesses, NGOs, and even political parties that need help with campaign finance filings, election-related permits, and voter education materials.

• Provide training sessions on election laws and regulations, specifically targeting small businesses that might get caught in election-related legal or financial issues.

Why It Works:

• Elections create short-term, high-value service opportunities, and many businesses don’t have the time or knowledge to handle legal filings.

• Can be done in the evenings or weekends while maintaining a full-time job.

• Minimal upfront investment – just legal and administrative knowledge, plus a well-marketed service.

2. Premium Healthcare Concierge & Logistics Service

With an EU trade mission coming to explore healthcare investments, more high-net-worth individuals, expatriates, and foreign investors will be in Guyana seeking quality healthcare services. A personal healthcare concierge service can bridge the gap between demand and available services.

How It Works:

• Offer a private appointment scheduling service, where individuals can pay a premium to get priority bookings with doctors, specialists, or private clinics.

• Provide transport and logistics support for elderly or busy professionals who need assistance getting to medical appointments.

• Partner with pharmacies and medical supply stores to deliver medications and health products to clients who can’t pick them up themselves.

Why It Works:

• The demand for premium healthcare services is rising, but the system remains inefficient. A concierge service removes friction.

• Works on an on-demand model, meaning it can be done alongside a full-time job.

• Can be scaled up by adding more services, such as wellness coaching or personal healthcare record management.

3. Mobile Industrial Supply & Safety Gear Sales

With the rapid expansion of Guyana’s oil, construction, and mining industries, there is an increasing need for personal protective equipment (PPE) and industrial supplies—yet workers often struggle to access these items efficiently.

How It Works:

• Source and sell essential safety gear (helmets, gloves, boots, reflective vests) directly to workers at job sites or through social media marketplaces.

• Offer mobile delivery for last-minute replacements or customized gear (e.g., branded helmets for specific companies).

• Partner with small construction firms, gold mining camps, or independent contractors to provide recurring bulk orders.

Why It Works:

• Companies are required by law to provide PPE, but workers often need replacements or personal upgrades.

• Capitalizing on growing construction and mining activity means a steady customer base.

• Doesn’t require a physical store—this can be done via WhatsApp, Instagram, or a small storage unit at home.

Why These Side Hustles?

• High-Value Market Segments: These ideas serve industries with strong financial backing (elections, healthcare, and industrial development).

• Scalability: They can start as part-time ventures and later expand into full businesses.

• Minimal Competition: While common side hustles like retail and food services are saturated, these ideas fill gaps in essential but overlooked markets.