In order to bridge the gap between local and international companies operating in Guyana’s oil and gas sector, the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) Guyana is moving to ensure local companies are in compliance with international best practices. In this regard, the Chamber said it intends to prioritise skills and technology transfer between US and Guyanese companies as business and investment opportunities in the new oil producing nation continue to increase.
AmCham’s President, Zulfikar Ally on Friday shared the Chamber’s plans for the coming years. Part of this, he explained, is enhancing cooperation between local and U.S firms in technology transfer and skills development.
“It is our goal in the coming years to encourage our members, especially U.S firms operating here in Guyana to make it a priority to aid in the transfer of technology to the local private sector, to work with them collaboratively, to enhance their capabilities and skills, and train Guyana’s talented resources in the technological and transformative ways of working and conducting business,” Ally said.
The AmCham President highlighted that local companies that do not follow international best practices, and are not equipped with the necessary certificates and standards compliances are in a disadvantageous position when it comes to the petroleum industry, as investors are bound by policies and international best practices to ensure they only hire firms that are in compliance with certain requirements.
Ally told members of the Chamber that the organisation “has started to put plans in place and to work with our partners to bridge that gap between our American members and those that are Guyanese owned.” He said that the Development Alternatives Incorporated (DAI)–a development company that specialises in business development– which is an AmCham member, has been leading in the forefront in training, facilitating and encouraging companies to get the relevant certification.
“We will encourage more initiatives like these and we would like to work with the Government of Guyana to ensure that adequate measures and opportunities are put in place to accommodate this for the business community across the country,” he stressed.
He further posited that Guyana’s future is bright and promising and the country is now poised to be a leader in every aspect within the Caribbean region, and as such the citizens should be positioned to benefit.
