EU trade mission to explore healthcare investment opportunities in Guyana

A European Union (EU) Trade Mission will be in Guyana in a few months, with Minister of Health Dr Frank Anthony revealing that these investors will be looking for opportunities for partnerships in the area of healthcare.

During the recent launch of the Healthcare Voucher at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), it was announced that a trade mission from the EU would soon be visiting. According to Dr Anthony, this trade mission which is due in June of 2025, will be primarily focused in healthcare.

“Very soon, we will have in June an EU mission coming to Guyana to explore opportunities in health, not just in academic training, but also other opportunities and how they can partner with the Government in the area of health,” Anthony said.

Dr Anthony further made references to the Government’s varying partnerships with other countries, when it comes to boosting Guyana’s healthcare capacity. These partnerships include with universities in the United States (US), Canada and the United Kingdom (UK). Further, there are plans to forge further partnerships with European countries.

“All of these partnerships we’re developing, and you would see a number of persons going off to get training and a number of their persons coming to Guyana. Where you can have these interchanges,” he added.

From January 2017 to September 2023, total trade between Guyana and the EU stood at approximately US$11 billion. It has increased steadily in the past five years, with an average annual growth of 20 per cent.

During a visit by an EU Trade Mission in 2023, President Irfaan Ali had revealed that, with the driven leadership on food, energy and climate, there is a demand for investments in the building out of services in healthcare, education, biodiversity and pharmaceuticals.
Both parties had agreed that the dialogue has set the tone for continued collaboration at all levels in areas of mutual interest, and for building on the existing cooperation between Guyana and the EU.

In January of this year, the European Chamber of Commerce Guyana elected its new Board of Directors for 2025. According to a press release from the European Chamber of Commerce (Guyana), Dr Alista Bishop, a recognised leader in finance, entrepreneurship, and international trade, was elected as the Chair of the Chamber.

Other members of the newly elected board include Joerg Niebelschultz as Vice Chair, and Vasudeo Singh as Secretary/Treasurer. Additional new members include Gregory Dean, Martin Cheong, Matthew Kendall, Martin Anez, Kerensa Gravesande-Bart, and Richard DeNobrega.

The EU Chamber of Commerce (Guyana) was launched in November 2023, coinciding with a EU Trade Mission composed of delegates from 23 countries who visited Guyana to explore potential investment opportunities.

The EU delegation that is expected to arrive in Guyana in June comes at a time when Guyana is aggressively seeking to revamp its healthcare system. The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government plans to build a world-class health sector by 2030.

In fact, the current administration has made a number of partnerships with countries in North America and Europe, all aimed at furthering Guyana’s healthcare development. These partnerships range from Harvard University in the US to Mac Masters in Canada.

A partnership also exists with York University from Canada. Guyana has also been working closely with Mount Sinai to advance various areas with its healthcare delivery, such as at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).