President Dr Irfaan Ali is expected to unveil the government’s highly anticipated Local Content App during the Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo, billed for February 18th to 21st, 2025.
The app, which aims to bring local businesses closer to opportunities in the oil and gas sector, is designed to complement the existing Local Content Registry, a platform that compiles a database of Guyanese seeking employment and local companies offering goods and services to the industry.
Director of the Local Content Secretariat, Dr. Martin Pertab, during the Ministry of Natural Resources’ end-of-year press conference on Tuesday morning made the announcement that the app is expected to be launched at the conference and expo slated to be held at the Guyana Marriott Hotel in Georgetown.
Providing an update on the app, Dr Pertab said, “So far, we have received approval from the app store. We are now working on the approval from Google Play. We are in the final stage of testing, so hopefully, we will have the app launched at the upcoming Energy Conference.”
Explaining the functionality of the app, Dr. Pertab explained, “The app will be accessible to anyone. You’ll see all opportunities there in relation to procurement [and] employment. So, anyone who’s interested in working in the oil and gas industry, there will be an option there. If you’re interested in providing services, for example, accommodation, the option will be there.”
Dr. Pertab also provided an update on other initiatives being pursued by the Local Content Secretariat and highlighted ongoing efforts to gather submissions from tier-one companies regarding procurement opportunities for 2025. However, he noted that procurement opportunities are expected to increase by 15 to 20%.
For his part, Minister of Natural Resources Vickram Bharrat disclosed the possibility of the app being launched by the head-of-state at the energy conference. He explained, “…The local content app which we’ve been working on for some time now, but we want to ensure that when we release the app, there is no issue with it.”
The minister underscored the importance of launching an app that is fully functional and easy to use. Notably, he stated that while the app will be available to anyone, only those who are registered and have a Local Content Certificate will be able to access certain opportunities.
