The Local Content Secretariat has flagged more than 20 additional areas that could be added to the first schedule of Guyana’s Local Content Act. Director Michael Munroe made the disclosure on day two of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) Business Development Forum in Georgetown.
He said the move is driven by data from company reports and ongoing consultations.
“We already identified in excess of… like 20 areas that we could possibly extend the first schedule to.” He added, “The companies are going beyond that to even start spending in other areas, and they’re reporting that information to the Secretariat.”
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Munroe said written submissions from stakeholders are due by November 21. “We want to hear from you.” He encouraged business groups to table “a unified position” to help streamline review and amendment of the Act.
Once submissions are in, the Secretariat will categorise issues and match them against internal data. “This is what the industry is saying. This is what we’re seeing from the data.” Munroe said recommendations will then be taken to the President, the Vice President and the Natural Resources Minister, followed by a consultative forum.
He stressed that any expansion must safeguard operations. “We don’t want to add areas that would… disrupt the supply chain.” He added, “We want to ensure that there is continuous ease in doing business, and at the same time allowing Guyanese the increased benefit of participating.”
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Munroe said the objective is to diversify both the level of participation in the existing 40 areas and the range of sectors covered. “Government wants to appreciate what is happening on the ground.” He urged companies to back proposals with evidence of capacity and investment. “We are making decisions not on speculation. We want to make decisions that are informed by data.”
Since the enactment of the Local Content Act in 2021, the total procurement of goods and services from Guyanese companies and nationals has surpassed US$1.5 billion.
Guyana’s Local Content Act has facilitated the employment of Guyanese nationals in the industry, with 40 specified areas in the service sector mandating local procurement by oil and gas companies and their subcontractors.
