President Dr. Irfaan Ali has announced that Guyanese may soon be able to secure shares in a large gold-mining project here as local content provisions are embraced beyond the oil and gas sector.
Speaking at a cocktail reception at the 2026 Local Content Summit, President Ali said the venture illustrates how local content opportunities are expanding beyond the petroleum sector. Under the 2021 Local Content Act, there are key provisions prioritising locals in the procurement of goods and services within the petroleum sector.
Though he did not name the gold-mining project, Dr. Ali said his administration intends to establish a junior stock exchange by mid-2026 to enable Guyanese to capitalise on this venture and others like it.
“We are looking to establish that in the first half of this year so that we can have opportunities traded on that exchange and have massive participation from local businesses and individuals,” President Ali said on Tuesday evening.
Additional initiatives designed to broaden participation in Guyana's developing economy include the forthcoming Guyana Development Bank, which will offer zero-interest, zero-collateral loans; diaspora bonds that will allow overseas-based Guyanese to invest in large infrastructure projects; and a range of opportunities tied to gas-related developments.
These ventures, the President explained, are expected to get more Guyanese involved in national projects and entrepreneurial ventures.
Meanwhile, Dr. Ali also encouraged the local private sector to seek opportunities in sister CARICOM states.
“The local content frame is evolving, the economy is evolving, and our influence across the region is evolving, and we have to maximise that influence to bring optimal benefit to our local private sector,” the Guyanese Head of State said.
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