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Finance minister hails launch of World Trade Centre Georgetown as timely, visionary milestone
(Kaieteur News) – Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh, has praised the establishment of the World Trade Centre Georgetown (WTCG) as a “timely and visionary step” in Guyana’s ongoing transformation and global economic rise.
Minister Singh and representatives of the World Trade Centre Guyana, Panama and Denver.
Delivering the feature address at the official launch held in Kingston, Georgetown, on Tuesday, Dr. Singh said the initiative comes at a pivotal moment when Guyana is experiencing unprecedented economic growth and expanding its footprint in global trade. He extended congratulations to Komal Samaroo, Chairman of the Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) Group, and his team for their leadership in bringing the prestigious World Trade Centres Association (WTCA) brand to Guyana.
“President Ali attaches tremendous importance to this initiative. Georgetown and Guyana are now joining the family of great cities around the world that host World Trade Centres. This is indeed a historic milestone,” Dr. Ashni Singh is quoted in a Department of Public Information press release as saying.
Dr. Singh lauded DDL’s foresight in pursuing WTCA membership and licensing, describing the move as “a reflection of the company’s long-standing commitment to global competitiveness.” Referencing discussions at the recent IMF–World Bank meetings in Washington, D.C., Dr. Singh noted that small states like Guyana face inherent challenges such as limited domestic markets and distance from major trade partners. However, he said the Ali Administration has aggressively implemented strategies to expand the country’s economic space through stronger regional integration.
The newly commissioned World Trade Centre.
“From day one, President Ali restored to the top of the policy agenda the importance of improving our physical connectivity with our neighbours,” Dr. Singh said, according to the DPI, highlighting projects such as the Linden–Lethem road to Brazil and the Corentyne River Bridge to Suriname.
He envisioned a future where goods move freely and efficiently across the region, allowing a producer in Guyana to “load up a lorry and take goods directly to Suriname or Brazil.” Dr. Singh added that Guyana’s rapid economic expansion provides a strong foundation for the success of WTC Georgetown. Citing the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) World Economic Outlook, he noted that Guyana continues to record the highest growth rate in the Western Hemisphere, averaging nearly 40% annually since 2021—an achievement “without precedent worldwide.”
“The establishment of the World Trade Centre Georgetown comes at precisely the right moment in our country’s economic history,” he said. “We see it as having tremendous potential, particularly in relation to the growth and global integration of the Guyanese private sector.”
Private Sector Poised to Capitalise
Captain Gerry Gouveia Jr., Chairman of the Private Sector Commission (PSC), echoed Dr. Singh’s optimism, stressing the private sector’s readiness to partner with government in advancing national development. “The opportunities in Guyana are endless. And when people say we want to be the Dubai of the Caribbean, I say no—we want to be the Guyana of the Caribbean, because we’re going to do more than they did,” Gouveia declared.
The World Trade Centre Georgetown is the first of its kind in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and was officially commissioned in June 2025. The World Trade Centres Association (WTCA) connects more than 300 World Trade Centres in nearly 100 countries, fostering trade and investment opportunities for businesses, property developers, and economic agencies. WTC Georgetown spans approximately 37,500 square feet across a modern seven-storey building in central Georgetown. The facility offers flexible office spaces, ICT and cybersecurity infrastructure, conference facilities, and trade mission support, serving as a hub for regional and international business engagement.
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