The idea of Guyana exporting houses to other countries using local wood was put forward by President Irfaan Ali sometime last year. But this has now born fruit as the government is set to export some 120 pre-built houses to Ghana this year, Senior Minister with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, announced on Wednesday.
During the 2022 National Budget presentation, Dr. Singh stated that the government has been exploring areas where it can expand the local value chain for wood products. And while it eyes a long-term relationship with the West Africa Nation, the finance minister said too that the government also saw market opportunities for the export of sawn lumber to Barbados.
The pre-made houses, according to Dr. Singh, will be manufactured using local wood and as the market grows, will extend to other countries as well.
Meanwhile, Dr. Singh announced that the government is also working to resuscitate three kiln drying facilities at Essequibo, Berbice and Linden to support the supply of sawn lumber to the Barbados market.
The government has also planned a “Wood Expo” in the second quarter of 2022, meant to promote value-added opportunities and benefit the over 100 licenced sawmillers and 25 higher-end value producers in Guyana.
According to the finance minister, the event is slated to attract over 80 overseas buyers and several value-added experts from Europe and North America.
And moreover, he added that government will work on finalising Guyana’s Timber Legality Assurance System.
This, he said is required for the implementation of the European Union (EU) Forest Law Enforcement Governance and Trade programme in order for locals to be licenced to access the EU and other markets.
Oil nations Guyana and Ghana have been forging closer ties in recent years with several cross-Atlantic visits by officials of both countries, looking to strengthen bilateral relations and develop areas of mutual interest.
