The United States International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) has said they are ready to invest in Guyana with around US$200 billion in funding available.
CEO of the DFC, Adam Boehler, led a team of investors comprising representatives from the US Treasury, the US State Department, the National Security Council, Homeland Security and the Export Import (EXIM) Bank.
Boehler said they are eyeing opportunities in various sectors, including energy, agriculture and infrastructure.
Nicholas Boyer, Chairman of the Private Sector Commission, said this “signals a new era in the US-Guyana relationship and I think that is something we should take advantage of.”
Boehler said the DFC is looking to cooperate on several projects, including the deep water harbour, small and medium sized businesses, agriculture and reduction of electricity cost; He also focused on the Corentyne River Bridge which will link Guyana and Suriname.
“It’s a rare time of alignment between Suriname and Guyana to have great new administrations that are investing in their private market,” Boehler said.
Boehler continued to point out that the US will fund multi-billion-dollar projects as well as small entrepreneurs. He added that the private sector will be a strong partner for the various projects and he hopes that they will be announced soon.
Responding to questions on whether the projects will be given primarily to US businesses based in Guyana, Boehler said he supports a transparent and competitive selection process. He said in the bidding process for large projects, major competitors will be Chinese companies, some of which are already involved in infrastructure projects in Guyana.
Boehler added that “high quality” is one thing that can differentiate American companies from others.
Teams from the agencies, the local private sector and the Government are expected to meet to finalise the projects and move forward.
