New Road Investments to Ease Traffic, Despite Opposition Criticism

The government is pushing forward with major road and bridge projects to alleviate worsening traffic congestion, despite criticism from opposition leaders. Former Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan complained about increasing traffic delays while simultaneously opposing large-scale road investments. Current infrastructure projects, including the new Demerara River Bridge, Ogle-Eccles Highway, and Heroes Highway, aim to improve connectivity and ease commuter delays in key regions.

150-Room Hotel and 1,000-Seat Convention Center Planned for Berbice

A new hospitality and business hub is coming to Berbice, with a 150-room hotel and a 1,000-seat convention center announced for Plantation Prospect near the Palmyra Stadium. The investment, facilitated by the Guyana Office for Investment (Go-Invest), aims to boost regional economic activity by attracting tourism and business events. The development aligns with Guyana’s broader hospitality expansion, which has seen billions in investment to accommodate growing demand from international travelers and business visitors.

Business Opportunities Based On Today’s Developments

Small Enterprises (SMEs)

1. Eco-Friendly Agro-Processing & Carbon Credit Certification Services

   • Opportunity: With Guyana gaining international recognition for its forest management and carbon credit trading, small businesses can offer services that help farmers and agro-processors comply with sustainability standards.

   • Execution: Establish a consultancy or service that helps farmers and small-scale processors certify their operations for carbon credits, sustainable farming, and forestry compliance. Partnering with NGOs and government programs could provide additional support.

   • Key Insight: As more businesses look to align with global environmental standards, the demand for compliance solutions will grow.

2. Affordable Hospitality Services & Niche Tourism

   • Opportunity: With hotel occupancy rates at 88% and a $13.6 billion revenue stream from hospitality, smaller lodges, guesthouses, and boutique tourism services can thrive, especially outside of Georgetown.

   • Execution: Develop unique homestays, eco-resorts, or specialty tourism experiences (birdwatching, cultural immersion tours, adventure tourism). Target regions that are underdeveloped but experiencing growth in hospitality (e.g., Berbice with the upcoming hotel & convention center).

   • Key Insight: Focus on budget-friendly or unique experiences that larger hotels cannot provide.

3. Last-Mile Logistics & Delivery for Local Products

   • Opportunity: With the expansion of local agriculture and agro-processing (e.g., the Fort Wellington agro-processing facility), small businesses can offer last-mile logistics services for farm-to-market and small businesses.

   • Execution: Start a specialized local delivery service catering to agro-processors, farm cooperatives, and hospitality suppliers. Partner with local farmers and processors to ensure fresh deliveries.

   • Key Insight: Large logistics firms focus on bulk transportation, leaving a gap for SMEs in specialized, short-distance delivery services.

Medium Enterprises (MEs)

1. AI-Integrated Manufacturing & Smart Production Solutions

   • Opportunity: Banks DIH’s AI-driven manufacturing expansion highlights a broader trend of automation in Guyana. Mid-sized firms can create AI-powered solutions for food processing, packaging, and manufacturing.

   • Execution: Establish a technology consultancy that integrates AI-powered monitoring, predictive maintenance, and automation into existing production facilities.

   • Key Insight: Many medium-scale manufacturers in Guyana are still operating with outdated systems, providing a significant market for automation and smart factory solutions.

2. Sustainable Food Exports & Premium Processing

   • Opportunity: The $520M Guyana Food Safety Authority (GFSA) lab ensures higher food safety standards, enabling businesses to access international markets.

   • Execution: Build a food-processing business specializing in premium dehydrated fruits, sauces, or organic products for export, leveraging the new food safety lab for certification. Target markets in the Caribbean and North America.

   • Key Insight: With the government focusing on food exports, businesses that meet high safety standards will have a competitive edge.

3. Regional Hotel & Convention Center Development

   • Opportunity: With a 150-room hotel and convention center announced in Berbice, there is demand for supporting businesses in events management, catering, and business tourism.

   • Execution: Develop a mid-sized events and corporate services company specializing in conference management, business networking events, and catering services tailored to the growing hospitality industry.

   • Key Insight: The rising business tourism market will demand more than just hotel rooms; supporting event services will be crucial.

Large Enterprises (LEs)

1. Renewable Energy & Smart Grid Solutions

   • Opportunity: With Guyana looking to partner with India on digital transformation and renewable energy, large firms can lead investments in solar, wind, and smart grid technology.

   • Execution: Develop large-scale solar farms or wind energy projects, supplying power to government-backed industrial zones and new commercial developments.

   • Key Insight: India’s expertise in solar energy can be leveraged through joint ventures and technology transfers.

2. Luxury & Business-Class Hospitality Expansion

   • Opportunity: The hospitality industry generated $13.6B in 2024, and new investments in high-end hotels are happening. Demand for luxury accommodation, corporate hospitality, and business-class travel is rising.

   • Execution: Invest in or acquire prime real estate in key locations (e.g., Berbice, Georgetown, eco-tourism regions) for upscale hotels, resorts, or serviced business apartments catering to international executives and tourists.

   • Key Insight: With oil money flowing in, business executives and high-net-worth travelers will demand higher-end accommodations.

3. High-End Agriculture Processing & Export Logistics

   • Opportunity: Guyana’s push to modernize its agriculture sector, coupled with the IDB-backed food safety lab, is opening up high-value export markets.

   • Execution: Invest in industrial-scale processing facilities for premium products (e.g., organic sugar, specialty rice, luxury chocolates). Develop an integrated export supply chain with state-of-the-art logistics infrastructure.

   • Key Insight: Partnering with international brands or leveraging Guyana’s agricultural reputation could make this a major regional export business.

Final Thoughts

• SMEs should focus on niche opportunities that serve emerging needs (compliance, logistics, and budget tourism).

• MEs can leverage new infrastructure investments to develop AI-powered manufacturing, food exports, and event-based businesses.

• LEs have clear pathways in renewable energy, premium hospitality, and large-scale agricultural exports, all of which align with government priorities and international market trends.

Actionable Next Steps

• Networking & Partnerships: SMEs should tap into government grants, while MEs and LEs should seek investment partnerships (especially with India).

• Market Positioning: Any hospitality-related venture should align with Guyana’s tourism growth strategy.

• Regulatory Readiness: Businesses should proactively work with agencies like GFSA for food safety compliance and international market entry.

Side Hustle Ideas Based On Today’s Developments

1. Agri-Tech Solutions for Urban Gardening

Opportunity:
With rising interest in sustainable living and food security, offering compact urban gardening solutions is a high-potential side hustle. Many urban dwellers are keen to grow their own herbs, vegetables, or fruits but lack the expertise or tools to get started.

How It Works:

• Provide starter kits for hydroponics, vertical gardening, or container farming, designed for small spaces.

• Partner with agricultural suppliers to offer affordable seeds, tools, and soil enhancers.

• Offer value-added services such as online tutorials, in-person workshops, or garden maintenance subscriptions.

• Target apartment dwellers, young families, and eco-conscious professionals in urban areas like Georgetown.

Why It Works:
This idea aligns with global sustainability trends and leverages Guyana's push toward agricultural innovation, appealing to customers who value fresh, locally grown produce.

2. Custom Tourism Experiences

Opportunity:
As Guyana’s tourism industry grows with the influx of visitors for business and leisure, there is a gap for personalized, off-the-beaten-path travel experiences. Catering to niche interests—such as cultural tours, eco-tourism, or culinary adventures—can attract both locals and international visitors.

How It Works:

• Design unique tour packages highlighting Guyana’s rich cultural heritage, natural beauty, and hidden gems.

• Partner with local guides, drivers, and small-scale hospitality providers for cost-effective operations.

• Market the service on platforms like Airbnb Experiences, social media, or travel blogs.

• Offer themed experiences such as wildlife photography tours, traditional cooking workshops, or river expeditions.

Why It Works:
Guyana’s growing global appeal as a sustainable tourism destination provides a strong foundation for this business. Personalization sets your offering apart from large, generic tour operators.

3. On-Demand Local Delivery Services

Opportunity:
With the expansion of Guyana’s retail, hospitality, and food sectors, there is increasing demand for reliable local delivery services, especially in suburban and rural areas. Many small businesses lack the infrastructure to meet this need effectively.

How It Works:

• Start a hyper-local delivery service catering to restaurants, grocery stores, or small retailers.

• Use a simple app or WhatsApp to connect customers and businesses with drivers.

• Focus on underserved areas where major delivery platforms have limited reach.

• Offer additional services such as document or parcel deliveries for corporate clients.

Why It Works:
Guyana’s infrastructure development and rising disposable income create opportunities for local delivery services to thrive. This model is flexible and scalable, allowing professionals to operate part-time while generating consistent income.

Why These Ideas Stand Out

Each of these side hustles leverages current economic trends and market gaps in Guyana. They require minimal upfront investment, align with evolving consumer preferences, and can be scaled based on time and resources available to the individual. These ventures allow professionals to tap into the growing economy while providing valuable services to their communities.