Government officials for Guyana and the United Kingdom (UK) celebrated the official launch of the British Chamber of Commerce Guyana (BritCham) on Tuesday at the British High Commissioner’s residence in Georgetown. The new trade body was hailed as a springboard for bilateral investment and business opportunities.
Guyana Standard understands that BritCham, an independent body, will act as a hub and partner for British and Guyanese companies interested in working together or investing in each market. It will also serve as a platform for fostering a strong ecosystem for information sharing and networking, improving the ease of doing business, and collaborating with UK and Guyanese authorities to support the business community.
“What is really clear is that there are many opportunities ahead of us,” said David Rutley, UK Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Americas and Caribbean. “It is a logical time for this launch.”
Rutley told guests at the packed event, which included government ministers and leading businessmen and women, that the creation of BritCham Guyana would build on the existing momentum of the UK’s strong relationship with Guyana. He said this no doubt follows the return of direct flights between London and Guyana via British Airways, visa free travel to the UK, and a recent partnership arrangement.
In his remarks, Prime Minister Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips said BritCham Guyana represented “another important development in fostering strong economic ties between Britain and Guyana. “The launch of BritCam solidifies the economic partnership between Britain and Guyana. It is also a recognition of the growing interests between our countries.”
“There are huge opportunities,” said British High Commissioner to Guyana Jane Miller OBE. “It is super exciting having this chamber and a real leap in our relationship. It is being driven by some amazing people.”
Guysons CEO Faizal Khan, a joint British-Guyanese citizen who chairs the new trade body, said the chamber would work in harmony with existing trade bodies and government departments in their shared goal to drive prosperity and economic opportunity.
“I see our role as a three-pronged attack,” Khan said while adding that it will entail “Promoting and facilitating trade, investment and commerce; fostering an open networking environment, and complementing the work of the British High Commission and UK government departments in Guyana, as well as other business chambers in Guyana.”
Khan called on interested businesses and individuals to contact the chamber to join its membership. An application form can be downloaded from britchamgy.com.
“We will strive to become the go-to partner for investors and businesses from the UK and Guyana to help them explore, understand, access and navigate each market, and to provide the expert support they need to achieve their goals,” he added.
