Guyana's Economic Viability At Independence, Guyana held out the best prospect for economic development in the English-speaking Caribbean. Our size and our natural resources endowment were clearly superior to all the other territories. Our human resources were second to none. For those too young to recall, this was the period when high standards in education and training were diligently pursued, and when too most individuals, families, and households saw education and self-imptovement as the only opportunity for economic advancement and social mobility. Corrupt practices, fraud, illegal trading and drug trafficking were rare occurrences. But what has happened'? Related Links: Debt Letters Menu Archival Menu From the National Development Strategy Guyana 's climb into middle-income bracket could limit access to soft resources May 4, 2007 Lethem in-step with improvements made in Guyana/Brazil link April 16, 2007 Policy makers puzzled by decline in growth -IMF working paper April 15, 2007 The Economic impact of large sporting events April 15, 2007 US direct assistance to Guyana tops US$126M in last three years April 10, 2007 Small businesses make big difference on Essequibo Coast April 8, 2007 CREATING JOBS April 1, 2007 Unemployment still a major problem in Linden March 28, 2007 Competitiveness, innovation and equity March 1, 2007 The role of the mandarin February 16, 2007 A change in our fortunes February 13, 2007 Business Outlook Survey 2007 January 18, 2007 Business optimism in economy jumps -- highest in five years, survey finds January 18, 2007 President Jagdeo reiterates competitiveness strategy for economic growth January 4, 2007 $100M annually for sports, arts fund - Jagdeo January 1, 2007 Economy relatively healthy despite unbudgeted expenses - President December 30, 2006 President reports: Economy has done well December 29, 2006 Guyana's dependency ratio December 24, 2006 At last! An ABC!! December 8, 2006 Rupununi Expo provides welcome market for exhibitors December 4, 2006 It's a GBTI VISA Classic Card December 1, 2006 GBTI launches Visa Card December 1, 2006 GBTI VISA card to enable online shopping November 29, 2006 Carbon Credits - Potential benefits to Guyana? November 19, 2006 Does Guyana need a sovereign credit rating? November 12, 2006 Economy suffered from external, domestic shocks November 6, 2006 An opening to the foreign businessman November 5, 2006 Trying times for the accounting profession July 10, 2005 Poverty Reduction Strategy - Progress Report 2005 -Dramatic decline in population in Regions 5 and 6 July 3, 2005 Numbering the days of sugar is premature June 26, 2005 On the line -Guyana Stockfeeds Incorporated 2004 - significant turnaround June 12, 2005 Sterling Products Limited June 5, 2005 On the Line 2004 Annual Report - Demerara Distillers Limited May 22, 2005 VAT compromise signals hope April 18, 2005 On the line: Demerara Tobacco Company Limited Annual Report, 2004 April 3, 2005 Jamaica launches a draft code of corporate governance March 27, 2005 On the Line - Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry March 20, 2005 The Lottery funds issue should be tested in court March 6, 2005 Diamonds are forever, forever... and round wood February 27, 2005 Budget - reality or myth? February 20, 2005 Caricom seeks to encourage intra-regional investment February 6, 2005 January 30, 2005 The great flood January 23, 2005 January 16, 2005 January 9, 2005 Four more years for George Bush - the prospects November 21, 2004 The Infrastructure Development Fund Act November 14, 2004 A better investment climate for everyone October 31, 2004 The World Investment Report: The Shift towards services October 17, 2004 Disaster economics: The Grenada experience September 19, 2004 On the line: Guyana Stockfeeds Incorporated 2003 - the slide continues September 12, 2004 Revisiting the National Development Strategy: End of the future? September 5, 2004 Living with the IMF July 30, 2004 No shortage of money July 26, 2004 The fall of King Sugar July 25, 2004 Sugar and People July 25, 2004 Contributing to our own peril July 25, 2004 Peter Ramsaroop: 'Guyana open for business' June 24, 2004 $2.5M boost for Intermediate Savannahs Project June 15, 2004 'Do not expect a Cadillac lifestyle in a Volkswagen economy' June 13, 2004 IDB approves US$28M for public finance management June 10, 2004 LEAP takes next step with $326M grant June 1, 2004 Guyana gets US$20M boost for democracy, governance May 28, 2004 US, Guyana ink $4B democracy, growth pacts May 28, 2004 Govt, EC ink $840M micro projects pact May 8, 2004 Negotiations begin for salary increases April 19, 2004 NBS Annual General Meeting April 18, 2004 Mall dream unfolds April 15, 2004 High public service salaries April 6, 2004 Government Not Happy With Paying ‘Super Salaries’ April 4, 2004 Jagdeo: super salaries not all good value April 3, 2004 Audit office query over $30M raises hackles March 29, 2004 Shaping the economic environment for wealth generation March 29, 2004 Globalisation of accounting: Guyana's challenge March 28, 2004 Guyana Trade Show in Barbados March 21, 2004 Novel audit office bill for more scrutiny March 20, 2004 Corporate governance March 11, 2004 Migrating jobs and the global economy March 11, 2004 Business opportunities open up for Guyanese March 7, 2004 Lack of preparation for globalisation can cost Guyana billions -GCCI warns March 4, 2004 The long, winding road to good corporate governance February 29, 2004 Economic Growth and Human Development February 5, 2004 South - South February 4, 2004 Economic genocide? February 3, 2004 The search for our destiny February 1, 2004 Summit of the Americas January 18, 2004 Plain predictions - a time to pray December 28, 2003 Bank rates for Sterling offer opportunities December 22, 2003 Good news and opportunities December 22, 2003 Guyana rises from 'poor' to 'middle income' status December 22, 2003 Ram surveys finds... Business outlook decidedly positive December 19, 2003 No breach of Parliamentary procedures in passage of Fiscal Management Bill December 18, 2003 Government passes fiscal management bill December 16, 2003 The Caribbean should engage with Brazil December 14, 2003 Shipping association launches Canada-funded export project December 10, 2003 Excessive vehicle repairs at health ministry December 9, 2003 Business community seeks security, reduction of tension December 8, 2003 Empretec completes five workshops for the year December 7, 2003 Key trade links made at Antigua expo December 5, 2003 Encourage immigration from Caricom, court T&T investment December 3, 2003 IPED to expand operations despite difficult 2002 December 3, 2003 IPED loans up, surplus down in 2002 December 2, 2003 Chartered accountants group celebrates 100 years December 2, 2003 Economy persevering despite crime -Jagdeo December 1, 2003 Mohamed displays investor confidence in the face of adversity December 1, 2003 Balancing work and life:imperative, not impossible November 30, 2003 Auditor General's 2002 report November 26, 2003 Seven habits November 23, 2003 Government and Business November 14, 2003 WTO review commends Guyana's reforms November 13, 2003 New Internal Auditing November 13, 2003 Corporate leaders urged to monitor community projects November 13, 2003 Internal auditors urged to demand strict 'accountability' practices October 30, 2003 Economy needs 6% growth for millennium development goals - Insanally October 25, 2003 Where is the TUC? October 5, 2003 Womenfolk should step out and assert themselves September 28, 2003 Supervising financial institutions September 16, 2003 Grist in the mill of vested interests September 7, 2003 Is it possible to pursue your professional goals in a tough business climate? September 7, 2003 US$44M bridge, road projects will propel growth, prosperity September 4, 2003 Gov’t closes bond loophole on loans from banks August 31, 2003 acquiring networking skills takes time and practice August 31, 2003 Trade review reveals positive economic growth August 23, 2003 Handling business when life pelts you a curveball August 17, 2003 Committee to present Fiscal Bill report tomorrow August 17, 2003 All directors’ emoluments will have to be disclosed from 2005 August 6, 2003 A fertile mind required August 3, 2003 Just answer the questions July 28, 2003 A success story July 11, 2003 Legal bottlenecks July 1, 2003 Guyana must take hard-nosed approach to Caricom single market - Dev June 30, 2003 Guyana pushes ambition to be continental gateway June 27, 2003 Guyana pursues sound macroeconomic policies June 25, 2003 Archaic valuations major obstacle for local authorities June 17, 2003 CDB hails ‘positive real economic growth’, says… June 14, 2003 Guyana training model will spawn 100 businesses, 1,000 jobs June 14, 2003 Guyana positioned on the road to economic prosperity June 12, 2003 The related party problem June 1, 2003 Chandarpal likens WTO, FTAA negotiations to war May 31, 2003 The law and business May 25, 2003 Short changing Sarbanes-Oxley May 11, 2003 Guyana, India identify projects for technology transfer May 9, 2003 Yesu Persaud takes fact-finding development mission to Rupununi May 9, 2003 Trinidad bank takes over Mazaruni Granite May 6, 2003 Guyana did not experience an economic boom prior to 1992 April 24, 2003 Survival strategy April 23, 2003 Guyana's exports can be dynamic sector for growth April 23, 2003 Revised draft of National Trade Policy Strategy presented at seminar April 23, 2003 Taxes, crime cutting into beer drinking April 23, 2003 Trade strategy still hinges on EU preferential markets -seminar told April 18, 2003 U.S/Guyana relations as good as they have ever been - Ambassador Godard April 7, 2003 Budget speech/GRA do not make the law April 6, 2003 Anti-money laundering regulations to be completed this year April 2, 2003 Gov’t agrees to review of discretionary powers of agencies March 17, 2003 Bank of Guyana's Ganga disputes extent of underground economy March 15, 2003 New airport road part of proposed US$300M IDB loan March 12, 2003 Fighting crime with donors help March 12, 2003 IMF meeting on Guyana `productive' March 3, 2003 Nadir refutes economic crisis allegation February 21, 2003 Christmas season had little impact on prices February 17, 2003 Tax reduction yielding positive results at petrol outlets February 17, 2003 Domination through ideas February 12, 2003 Trade barriers removed in Guyana’s favour February 12, 2003 Underground economy undermining Guyana February 9, 2003 Priority for security measures in this year's budget February 4, 2003 Trade with Trinidad lopsided February 3, 2003 A new storm is brewing at the NCC February 2, 2003 Services sector support crucial for FTAA negotiations January 31, 2003 Linden Economic Advancement Programme moving successfully January 31, 2003 World unemployment rate continues to rise - ILO report January 26, 2003 The commendable success of Sanata textiles January 25, 2003 Public forum on business plan leaves many questions unanswered January 20, 2003 Government's CT intervention will stimulate economy January 19, 2003 Is chopping heads a solution? January 19, 2003 Revenue authority remains headless January 18, 2003 Guyana submits US$36M proposal to Global Fund January 18, 2003 Popeyes plans to spice up fast food sector January 17, 2003 Multi-million dollar Popeyes restaurants to open here January 17, 2003 The IMF January 14, 2003 Government expects lifting of injunction on IDB US$18M loan January 12, 2003 Craziness helpful when doing business in Guyana January 12, 2003 Carnegie School of Home Economics Seven decades of service to society January 12, 2003 Economic crisis and the tribulations of backward capitalism January 12, 2003 Standards Bureau to help exporters compete on global market January 8, 2003 Report of the Auditor General 2001 A tale of bad accounting January 5, 2003 Plain predictions December 29, 2002 IMF report recommends revamp of revenue collection December 22, 2002 State auditors called to probe Region Five irregularities December 17, 2002 Redesigning the insurance industry December 15, 2002 CEO’s must ensure the maturity and technical expertise of Junior Managers December 14, 2002 Second LEAP project manager resigns December 13, 2002 PSC training agency graduates 23 more, launches website December 12, 2002 Smuggling impacting seriously on economy December 11, 2002 EU providing $6.8B in aid December 10, 2002 Guyana receives GY$6.8 billion EU grant December 10, 2002 On the line: Annual Report 2001 - IPED December 8, 2002 NO TIME TO CHICKEN OUT December 7, 2002 THE WAY FORWARD December 5, 2002 US$126.6M pumped into economy this year - Da Silva December 4, 2002 Despite constraints in the economy IPED continues to blaze the trail December 3, 2002 Good signs for next year December 3, 2002 Let’s execute! December 1, 2002 Rupununi Chamber calls for improved infrastructure November 27, 2002 Severance talks being pushed November 24, 2002 Economy must shape up for free trade - Ganga November 23, 2002 New minimum wage set at $21,047 November 23, 2002 Goals best realized through collaborative action-PM Hinds November 19, 2002 Negligible penetration of North American, UK markets by local products - surveys November 19, 2002 Growth has to come with financial discipline November 14, 2002 Weathering the storm November 10, 2002 Replenishing the stock: Can training suffice? November 10, 2002 New micro-credit fund launched November 7, 2002 Some good news amidst the economic gloom November 7, 2002 Some `good news' signals in Guyana economy November 7, 2002 Construction at Shell Beach ordered stopped November 6, 2002 Government helping Linden to produce more food through LEAP November 5, 2002 Timely budget November 2, 2002 Governance and respect for stakeholders October 27, 2002 President unveils $89M Corriverton market, roads October 21, 2002 Capitalism and socialism converging as partners October 21, 2002 Millennium Development Goals October 13, 2002 Smoke and mirror: paying lip service to fairer trade October 13, 2002 Business sentiment remains low October 8, 2002 Hard times for business again October 3, 2002 Give me your best and brightest, I'll give you... September 29, 2002 Rapid progress difficult if people insecure September 28, 2002 Canada continues help with improving public accounting September 26, 2002 Battling on - in the face of great odds September 26, 2002 Canada praises Guyana's transparency efforts September 26, 2002 Lies, damn lies, and er... accounts September 22, 2002 Guyana, U.S. sign US$1.6M pact September 19, 2002 There should be greater balance of trade between Trinidad and Guyana September 16, 2002 Backward capitalism September 8, 2002 Tower Hotel receivership may be brought to an end September 2, 2002 Plans in train for cement bagging at GNIC August 30, 2002 GNIC plans major cement bagging facility here August 30, 2002 The Barbados Social Compact - Model for Guyana? August 25, 2002 Government looking at Labour intensive programmes to generate employment August 24, 2002 A tragic closure August 15, 2002 Govt has to accelerate modern accounting system -Winston Murray August 13, 2002 Guard services not paying national insurance contributions for workers July 28, 2002 Free enterprise or free-for-all? July 28, 2002 A silver lining July 27, 2002 Industrial estates to be on equal footing July 25, 2002 Under threat July 24, 2002 Securities market regulations to be gazetted by next month July 24, 2002 Free enterprise or free-for-all? July 21, 2002 Auditor General offered UN post in Sierra Leone July 17, 2002 Parliament approves motion to make Official Gazette widely available July 12, 2002 Showing initiative July 11, 2002 Guyanese patent multi-million US$ tyre change invention July 9, 2002 Barama granted concessions for Essequibo project June 30, 2002 ‘Implementation of standards is imperative for growth in the Guyana economy’ June 24, 2002 Guyana eyes South Asia markets June 23, 2002 National security purchases to be exempt from legal regulations June 11, 2002 LEAP set to harness skills, promote sound management June 9, 2002 Consolidated Fund not reconciled since 1987 June 4, 2002 Report on A H & L Kissoon credit deal sparks acrimony June 3, 2002 Foreign aid, investment and national development June 1, 2002 Corporate Responsibility May 24, 2002 Determined to combat the odds May 21, 2002 Government accounts still in poor state May 19, 2002 CDB approves US$85M aid package for Guyana May 15, 2002 Overall responsibility for energy, power vested in Prime Minister's office May 14, 2002 Caribbean bank supervisors conference opens May 10, 2002 Year 2000 govt accounts presented to Speaker May 3, 2002 Auditor General in `historic' report presentation May 3, 2002 Businessmen meet Hoyte over crime, economy May 1, 2002 People in mood of crisis, insecurity on May Day 2002 May 1, 2002 Public employees bearing brunt of tax, debt burden too long -Yarde May 1, 2002 IDB to assist Guyana with trade strategy April 24, 2002 Get ready for the war against want April 14, 2002 Seeing the possibilities April 9, 2002 Back on track: Leaving the detour March 31, 2002 Most are at their wits' end to make ends meet March 31, 2002 Political, social tensions retarded economy from '97 March 26, 2002 On preventing "Local Enrons" March 24, 2002 Local duty-free merchant captures key airline market March 17, 2002 Hire purchase: nothing happens March 17, 2002 Guyana Training Agency launched March 7, 2002 Ram says plan foresees financial soundness in three years March 5, 2002 Not time for petty squabbling February 28, 2002 Joint CDB/IDB mission here on regional restructuring mission February 28, 2002 Guyana amid the world economy February 26, 2002 Trade just one part of new economic deal -De Visscher February 15, 2002 Lessons of Enron February 10, 2002 The Intermediate Savannahs February 7, 2002 How can giants sit down as equals with pygmies? January 27, 2002 Guyana in line for new three-year IMF scheme January 26, 2002 Trade ministers tackle single market hiccups January 26, 2002 Plain predictions December 30, 2001 Fixing failed firms should be based on economics, not revenge December 23, 2001 New debt relief plan could benefit 1200 small rice farmers - Jagdeo December 15, 2001 US$ will not trade at $200 by year end December 8, 2001 Government, banks close to pact in rice rescue talks December 4, 2001 What's right about the economy? December 4, 2001 Lewis calls for new partnership to enhance national productivity December 4, 2001 Productivity issues must be put on the table December 4, 2001 Financial lawlessness November 25, 2001 The Minister of Finance must act November 15, 2001 Ming upset at continued poor accounting practices in ministries November 15, 2001 Despite improvements, poverty levels still high November 15, 2001 A challenging task November 3, 2001 Institute of Private Enterprise Development records $90M surplus October 30, 2001 Hard times ahead October 30, 2001 Speeding up the aid flow October 19, 2001 Giving us hope October 18, 2001 Making high productivity thinking a critical objective August 6, 2001 Some light in the tunnel August 2, 2001 The other crisis June 27, 2001 The FTAA - are we ready? May 6, 2001 The Initiative urges Guyanese to embrace national government March 18, 2001 Elections Watch March 18, 2001 Reflections on after tomorrow March 18, 2001 Union upset it is not among observer teams March 18, 2001 Promising more than can be delivered March 18, 2001 The manufacturing sector - is there hope? March 18, 2001 Foreign Ministry focused on economic development - Rohee March 14, 2001 Globalisation February 16, 2001 'Finance: The Achilles heel of the global economic system' February 11, 2001 Towards a Single Market and Economy December 12, 2000 Making the move to plastic December 10, 2000 `We need to ensure the rule of law' October 19, 2000 Economy's vulnerability cause for concern October 1, 2000 Embracing the knowledge paradigm September 24, 2000 Is globalisation new? September 17, 2000 Economy shows signs of recovery August 25, 2000 Guyana seeks to cash in on new U.S. arrangements August 18, 2000 An important development August 9, 2000 A bright spot July 25, 2000 Iran looks for joint venture with Guyanese July 25, 2000 Free trade and its effects on the Guyana economy May 30, 2000 IMF advice on overcoming Guyana challenges May 24, 2000 Guyana's incentive regime May 14, 2000 Well-managed economies and the lot of the teeming poor May 3, 2000 Economics will inform Guyana's defence strategy April 27, 2000 Pleas for help ignored April 23, 2000 Essequibo - Please step forward April 16, 2000 Privatisation programme winding down April 5, 2000 More on E-commerce March 19, 2000 National caucus targets quality secondary education March 13, 2000 Where are the girls now? March 12, 2000 Expanded revenue base key to 2000 budget March 6, 2000 The Guyana Youth Business Trust March 3, 2000 Prince helps tackle unemployment February 27, 2000 British bilateral aid to rise to 6.2M pounds in next cycle February 26, 2000 The engine of growth February 24, 2000 World financial system a 'large casino' February 22, 2000 Guyana in throes of major evolution February 16, 2000 European Commission applauds Guyana on key achievements February 11, 2000 Guyana to push for results at COTED meeting February 6, 2000 EU, ACP agree radical overhaul of relations February 4, 2000 Imports must be of high quality January 31, 2000 Time to go plastic - are we ready? January 30, 2000 Local producers seeking fairer deals for feeds, oil, sugar January 26, 2000 Protecting economic resources January 22, 2000 On to the boardwalk January 21, 2000 Building an economy January 11, 2000 Annual report shows successful economic performance January 8, 2000 More job market information needed January 3, 2000 Marketing Guyana December 28, 1999 $18B bad debt situation alarming December 28, 1999 The e-commerce revolution December 19, 1999 Y2K - hype or reality? December 12, 1999 New minister plans tight rein on fiscal policies December 10, 1999 Brief, gaudy hour for developing countries December 7, 1999 Real estate sector: no rules apply November 28, 1999 Hydropower project seen as catalyst for economic development November 28, 1999 Berbice `growth pole' critical November 28, 1999 Improve performance, improve management November 21, 1999 Mutual funds November 10, 1999 Development assistance now a scarce resource November 8, 1999 Hard truths about tomorrow's world November 8, 1999 God's lonely trumpet horn and the globalised world November 7, 1999 Single market must be promoted November 6, 1999 Guyana needs aggressive development motivation, political inclusion November 6, 1999 Trinidad company opens equity opportunity window to Guyanese November 5, 1999 Really Put Guyana First October 31, 1999 Single market publicity campaign for Guyana October 21, 1999 Equal partners October 21, 1999 A productive meeting October 16, 1999 On the right course October 14, 1999 PSC head calls for 'culture of manufacturing' October 10, 1999 Mustering resources, whetting skills for the global economy October 3, 1999 Hiring the best September 19, 1999 Health and safety act comes into force today September 15, 1999 Guyana must generate its own economic growth September 9, 1999 Foreign policy focus September 6, 1999 IPED records $70.5M surplus -7,120 jobs created last year September 4, 1999 Whither Guyana August 22, 1999 USAID provides technical aid to revise incentive regime August 22, 1999 Govt's incentive regime comes in for heavy flak July 25, 1999 Donor fatigue a major challenge: Jagdeo July 21, 1999 Off and flying July 20, 1999 A tide which sinks most boats July 11, 1999 Guyana can hasten progress with modern technology: UNDP July 10, 1999 Revenue shortfall tops $4B July 2, 1999 Another bad year? June 17, 1999 World Bank seeks to have its project accounts audited by private firms June 14, 1999 Avoid excessive wage increases June 13, 1999 Income inequality in Latin America May 8, 1999 Strategy being plotted to cut poverty, youth unemployment - micro enterprises seen as key May 5, 1999 This week: The development of a capital market April 25, 1999 National Development Strategy April 23, 1999 1999 Budget March 27, 1999 What the Budget means to you March 27, 1999 Guyana's Economy at Age 30 Related link Debt If you do not see the 'Guyana: Land of Six Peoples' drop-down menu on the left then please click here to enter through the front door which will give you additional options and information.