Guyana Launches Five-Year Healthcare Transformation Plan

Guyana has announced “Vision 2030,” a five-year partnership with Mount Sinai Health System and Hess Corporation aimed at modernizing its national healthcare system. Key features include a national cancer treatment centre, the new Women’s and Children’s Hospital, and a country-wide electronic health records system. With nearly 900 nursing assistants already trained and over 35,000 children screened through early-stage programmes, President Ali positioned the initiative as a blueprint for achieving world-class healthcare and regional medical leadership by 2030.

Guyana and Paraguay Forge Sports Development Partnership

The Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) and the Paraguayan Olympic Committee have signed a wide-ranging Memorandum of Understanding to enhance sports development. The agreement includes athlete training exchanges, coaching development, equipment grants, and a potential high-performance facility in Guyana. Notably, it also outlines support for developing cricket in Paraguay, leveraging Guyana’s expertise. GOA President Godfrey Munroe called the alliance a “landmark collaboration” with the potential to transform both countries’ sports ecosystems.

Business Opportunities Based On Today’s Developments

SMALL ENTERPRISE OPPORTUNITIES (Sole Traders & Micro to Small Teams)

1. Digital Documentation & Registry Services for Seniors

Opportunity: With the Human Services Ministry digitizing pension and public assistance records (BRDMS), there's an opening for private agents to assist the elderly with digital registration, documentation scanning, and ID/photo services.
Service Scope: Mobile kiosks, community-center pop-ups, or house-to-house services.
Note: Position yourself as a trusted, low-cost agent trained in compliance and data handling.

2. Affordable Farming Tech Solutions

Opportunity: Students at STEAM fairs are designing low-cost soil testers and seed dispensers. There's an opening to commercialize simplified versions of these inventions for smallholder farmers.
Product Scope: Locally assembled, durable agricultural tools priced below imported alternatives.
Note: Collaborate with STEAM schools or inventors for IP-friendly licensing deals.

3. Community-Based Renewable Water Services

Opportunity: With the launch of a water purification system at West Demerara Secondary, small businesses can replicate this on a micro scale in underserved villages or even offer mobile water filtration units.
Business Model: Lease or sell small-scale UV/RO purification units and offer maintenance subscriptions.
Note: Could tie into Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) and climate funding.

MEDIUM ENTERPRISE OPPORTUNITIES (10–50 Employees)

1. Regional Agricultural Trade Broker or Digital Platform

Opportunity: CARICOM’s new Electronic Agriculture Market Information System (E-AMIS) is launching soon. Private firms can build a complementary digital front-end for producers, aggregators, and buyers.
Scope: Logistics matching, credit facilitation, quality certification, e-commerce.
Note: Huge market gap in post-harvest aggregation and last-mile delivery. Ideal for software companies or agri-logistics providers.

2. Affordable Housing Electrical Retrofitting & Fire Safety

Opportunity: With the rise in electrical fires and emphasis on modern ICT in public institutions, there’s increasing demand for certified electrical audits and upgrades.
Service Offering: Retrofitting older buildings to meet new ICT and safety standards.
Note: Bundle this with energy-saving devices or solar backups to appeal to residential and SME clients.

3. Decommissioned Bridge & Toll Infrastructure Services

Opportunity: With bridge tolls being phased out (Wismar, Berbice, Demerara), private companies can repurpose toll booth infrastructure for pop-up kiosks, food stalls, logistics hubs, or digital payment trial points.
Note: Approach municipalities for use-rights or PPP arrangements. Consider logistics, advertising or last-mile services as spin-offs.

LARGE ENTERPRISE OPPORTUNITIES (50+ Employees, Corporate Scale)

1. Private University Partnerships & Accreditation Services

Opportunity: GOAL’s fallout with ISDC presents a critical gap for new, reliable education delivery partners. Private education institutions can position themselves as compliant, scalable distance learning providers.
Scope: Develop online programmes in IT, business, agri-science, or green energy tailored to Guyana’s needs.
Note: Leverage accreditation partnerships in Canada, the US, or Europe. Explore IDB funding avenues.

2. Smart Public Infrastructure – Bridge & Ferry Modernization

Opportunity: The MV Kimbia ferry delays and new Mackenzie-Wismar bridge underscore gaps in public transport infrastructure. Companies in marine engineering, IoT-enabled maintenance, or PPP infrastructure partnerships have clear openings.
Scope: Fleet maintenance, predictive analytics for equipment, or smart tolling systems (even if tolls go to zero, data insights remain valuable).
Note: Could tie into regional resilience or climate finance projects.

3. Regional Supply Chain Consolidation for Agriculture (25x2025 Plan)

Opportunity: CARICOM’s push to reduce food imports by 25% by 2025 represents a billion-dollar regional opportunity.
Ideal Play: A vertically integrated agri-business operating across CARICOM (via Guyana as the hub) that handles input supply, cultivation, processing, logistics, and export.
Note: Consider acquiring or partnering with mid-size agri-processors in Guyana. Tap into national food security budgets and concessional financing.

Side Hustle Ideas Based On Today’s Developments

1. Digital Support Services for Government Applications & Registries

Why:

The Ministry of Human Services is rolling out a digitised social assistance and pension registry. Many Guyanese, especially older individuals or those in rural areas, will need help applying, uploading documents, or navigating the platform.

Side Hustle Idea:

Start a “Mobile e-Help” service that helps people register for social programs, scan and submit documents, apply online, or even create simple email accounts. You can operate from home, set up outside public buildings, or offer house calls for a fee.

What You Need:

• Smartphone or laptop

• Basic internet/data

• Portable printer/scanner (optional but adds value)

• Basic digital skills

Potential Revenue:

Charge $1,000–$3,000 GYD per client depending on service. Can assist 5–10 people in a few hours on weekends.

2. Local Produce Sourcing & Delivery for Urban Households or Restaurants

Why:

CARICOM is pushing regional food self-sufficiency, and there is growing demand for consistent, quality produce supply. Many farmers don’t have time or access to high-value buyers in urban areas like Georgetown or New Amsterdam.

Side Hustle Idea:

Become a "Farm-to-Fridge Middleman"—source fresh produce weekly from small-scale farmers (especially in nearby villages) and deliver bundled vegetable/fruit packs to restaurants, shops, or working professionals.

What You Need:

• Relationships with local farmers or vendors

• Access to a bicycle, motorbike, or car

• Cooler or crates for transport

• Social media for marketing

Potential Revenue:

10–20% markup on produce. With 15–20 regular clients, this could earn $40,000–$100,000+ GYD/month part-time.

3. Custom Electrical Safety Audits for Homes & Small Businesses

Why:

With the rise in electrical fires and increasing ICT infrastructure in homes and offices, demand is rising for preventative electrical inspections and simple fixes. Most homes have old wiring or unsafe installations.

Side Hustle Idea:

Offer Basic Home Electrical Safety Checks as a certified or experienced handyman/electrician. Focus on small checks: overloaded circuits, outdated breakers, unsafe plugs, etc. Upsell minor repairs or upgrades.

What You Need:

• Electrical experience or training (or partner with a licensed electrician)

• Basic tools (multimeter, screwdrivers, tester)

• Flyers, business cards, or community WhatsApp ads

Potential Revenue:

Charge $5,000–$10,000 GYD per inspection. Even 2 jobs a weekend could generate $40,000+ GYD/month.