Former U.S. commerce chief to spotlight new opportunities for Guyanese businesses

Jun 09, 2026 News

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(Kaieteur News) – The World Trade Centre Georgetown (WTCG) will host a business luncheon titled “Growing Business with the United States” on June 17, 2026, featuring internationally renowned trade expert Arun Venkataraman.

In a press WTCG said the event reflects its commitment to strengthening trade and investment ties between Guyana and its international partners. As Guyana continues to expand its economic footprint and diversify its export base, the luncheon will provide local businesses with direct access to one of the leading voices in U.S. trade and commercial policy.

According to WTCG, Venkataraman brings more than 20 years of experience in international trade, commerce, and economic policy. From 2022 to 2025, he served as the Senate-confirmed Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Global Markets and Director General of the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service at the International Trade Administration. In that role, he led U.S. government efforts to expand international commercial opportunities for American companies and support foreign businesses seeking to invest and operate in the United States.

His responsibilities included facilitating international business transactions, improving commercial policy environments, addressing trade and investment barriers, and negotiating agreements with foreign governments to strengthen economic partnerships.

During the luncheon, Venkataraman will provide insights into U.S. trade and commercial policies, available trade preferences, and other mechanisms that support business engagement with the American market. His presentation will focus on how Guyanese companies can leverage these opportunities to increase exports, attract investment, build strategic partnerships, and enhance their global competitiveness.

The event comes at a critical time for Guyanese businesses as global trade continues to evolve amid geopolitical shifts, changing supply chains, and new trade and investment policies among major economies. Decisions made by the United States on tariffs, market access, and commercial partnerships increasingly shape international business strategies and influence the competitiveness of exporters worldwide.

For Guyana, understanding these developments has become especially important in light of recent changes to U.S. tariff policies affecting a range of exports from Guyana and other countries. The replacement of duty-free treatment for certain products with tariffs of up to 15 percent has created new challenges for exporters seeking to maintain and expand their presence in the U.S. market. These developments underscore the importance of staying informed and identifying strategies to preserve competitiveness while capitalizing on emerging opportunities.

“Access to authoritative insights on U.S. trade policy has never been more valuable,” WTCG noted. “Businesses must understand both the challenges and opportunities emerging from the evolving U.S.-Guyana commercial relationship. This luncheon offers a unique opportunity to gain that understanding directly from a former senior U.S. trade official who helped shape and implement policy at the highest level.”

WTCG believes that equipping local businesses with timely information and practical knowledge is essential if Guyana is to fully capitalize on its rapidly expanding economic opportunities and strengthen its integration into regional and global value chains.

The session is expected to be particularly relevant for exporters, manufacturers, service providers, investors, business support organisations, and entrepreneurs seeking to expand their reach beyond Guyana’s borders. Participants will also have the opportunity to engage directly with Venkataraman during a question-and-answer session and through private discussions following the formal presentation.

The luncheon aligns with WTCG’s mission of connecting Guyanese businesses to global markets and creating opportunities for meaningful international engagement. As part of the World Trade Centers Association network, which spans more than 300 World Trade Centers in over 100 countries, WTCG remains committed to providing local enterprises with access to world-class expertise, market intelligence, and business development opportunities.

Members of the business community and other interested stakeholders are encouraged to attend.

For registration and further information, contact the World Trade Centre Georgetown Secretariat at +592-763-9824 or +592-515-9824 (Ms. Noel or Ms. Peters).

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• Arun Venkataraman, Guyanese businesses, World Trade Centre Georgetown, WTCG

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