Latest update April 1st, 2026 12:40 AM
Latest News
Cubans cushioning commercial businesses in the city
The spending power of many Guyanese continues to weaken and commercial businesses are feeling the squeeze. Kaieteur News understands that the business generated by Cubans who come to shop here is cushioning the effect of
Chairman of the Private Sector Commission, Eddie Boyer
business slowdown in this sector.
EasySky, which is represented locally by Roraima Group of Companies, began flying to Guyana late last year. This is the airline that brings Cubans.
Chairman of the Private Sector Commission, Eddie Boyer, said that many businesses have been reporting benefits from Cubans. He said, “There is a lot of traffic from the Cuban and I think Roraima has told us that it is almost US$3M per week. I mean it is quite a lot.”
Boyer said that there are a multitude of factors that influence the spending power of people. “If we export more, people in the export industries get jobs and money. That has slowed down.”
Boyer said that a lot of businesses are recording a cutback. He pointed out that this is because of the decline in sales. “People have indicated that to us. If you are talking specifically what the Cubans bring to the market, that I would say has helped to cushion the blow of the declining economy. But that is only that commercial sector.”
Recently, hundreds of Cuban passengers were stranded in Guyana for several days after the Honduras-based Easy Sky airline was temporarily grounded. Just about 433 passengers had been stranded in Guyana since last week.
Cubans fly to Guyana weekly to shop large quantities of clothing, electronic and other items.
There has been an influx of Cubans visiting these shores. Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge noted last December that the presence of foreigners, who travel here particularly to shop, demonstrates a “closer cooperation” between Guyana and the Spanish-speaking island.
He said Cubans do not require visas to visit Guyana, and those arriving here are not only interested in trade. He noted that there are Cubans who come here just for the purpose of tourism.
Discover more from Kaieteur News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Similar Articles
THE BLUNT OF THE DAY
Sports
Features/Columnists
Sir. Ronald Sanders
The GHK Lall Column
Weekend Cartoon
