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GCCI seeks Chinese Embassy’s help over complaints against suppliers
…moves aimed at protecting Guyanese businesses amid growing trade ties
(Kaieteur News) – The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) has engaged officials of the Chinese Embassy following mounting concerns from local businesses about difficulties encountered when dealing with suppliers in China.
GCCI President Kathy Smith and Senior Vice President Gavin Ramsoondar met with Chinese Embassy Economic and Commercial Counsellor Li Hanqing last Friday to discuss complaints raised by several Chamber members, the GCCI said in a statement.
According to the body, the meeting was convened amid increasing trade relations between Guyana and China and growing concerns about the need to safeguard local businesses from unreliable suppliers.
GCCI President Kathy Smith and Senior Vice President Gavin Ramsoondar meeting with the Chinese officials.
Among the issues raised were instances of suppliers becoming unresponsive after payments were made, as well as cases where businesses received products that did not match their orders, the GCCI statement read.
During the discussions, both sides explored avenues for closer collaboration, including the development of a list of legitimate and verified Chinese suppliers and trading platforms that Guyanese businesses can utilise with greater confidence.
The Chinese Embassy also expressed its willingness to assist in investigating complaints submitted through the Chamber and work towards addressing disputes to promote transparency and accountability in commercial transactions.
The GCCI said ensuring that Guyanese businesses can confidently engage with credible international partners is critical, particularly as trade and investment links between Guyana and China continue to expand.
The initiative is expected to strengthen trust in cross-border commerce while providing an additional layer of protection for local companies seeking opportunities in the Chinese market.
Earlier this year Reuters reported that Brazil reclaimed top spot globally for Chinese investment in 2025, attracting 10.9% of total outbound capital, followed by the U.S. and Guyana, with 6.8% and 5.7%, respectively, according to data released by the Brazil-China Business Council (CEBC).
Brazil received $6.1B in Chinese investment across dozens of projects, a 45% increase in capital compared to 2024, as Chinese companies worked to diversify their presence in Latin America’s largest economy and increase their footholds in the country’s clean energy and mining sectors.
With bilateral trade surging to nearly US$2.9B in 2025, more than doubling within a year and cementing China’s position as one of Guyana’s major trading partners, Chinese Ambassador to Guyana, Yang Yang, back in February underscored the deepening economic and diplomatic ties between the two countries.
The ambassador had said then that the partnership between the two countries has entered a “fast track” of development under the strategic leadership of President Irfaan Ali and Xi Jinping. According to Yang, bilateral trade between Guyana and China reached nearly US$2.9B in 2025, more than double the figure recorded the previous year. She highlighted the completion of the Bharrat Jagdeo Demerara River Bridge by a Chinese company, describing it as a “Bridge of Friendship and Development” that is improving transportation, easing daily commutes and stimulating regional economic activity.
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