Guyana is entering the Offshore Technology Conference 2026 with growing international attention, as the country’s private sector points to increased interest from global investors and companies.
Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) President Kathy Smith, in an exclusive interview with OilNOW, said the response reflects how Guyana is now being viewed internationally.
“It tells us that Guyana is being looked at on the world stage. Guyanese, we have some form of clout now…and a lot of people want to get to know…what we are doing differently and how they can benefit through investment,” Smith said.
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The conference runs from May 4 to May 7 in Houston and will feature President Irfaan Ali delivering the opening keynote and performing the event’s ribbon cutting. Activities will include the opening ceremony, the Guyana Booth launch, Around the World Series panels, a Guyana Night event and business-to-business engagements involving government and private sector representatives.
Smith said participation from Guyana has expanded this year, through coordination between the Chamber and government partners, including the Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest).
“Last year, we had about 35 businesses. This year…we are looking at close to 100 [businesses] in the delegation,” she said.
She said the mix of companies indicates wider interest beyond oil and gas, with businesses from agriculture, tourism, and other traditional sectors joining contractors and service providers.
“We are seeing companies that are in the traditional sector. We are seeing contractors, agro-processing, tourism,” Smith said. “It tells you that OTC today is not just for the oil and gas industry,” she added.
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Smith said preparations are being done in advance to help companies secure opportunities at the event. This includes organizing business-to-business meetings and training participants on how to engage effectively at the exhibition. She said companies are also being guided on how to manage their presence at the Guyana Booth, including staffing, materials, and scheduling.
Smith also said early preparation is important given the scale of investment required for companies attending the conference, particularly micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises.
The Guyana Booth is expected to open on the first day of the conference, following the main ceremony, with officials and business leaders engaging visiting companies and investors.
