Predictable regulatory environment important for international businesses – US envoy

While recognising the Government’s ongoing efforts to digitise public services, United States (US) Ambassador to Guyana Nicole Theriot stressed the need for a modernised tendering process and a more streamlined revenue authority as more international companies seek to do business in Guyana.

Ambassador Theriot made the remarks during the Energy Perspectives podcast on Monday, where she also highlighted the growing partnership between the private sectors of the two countries. “We are so proud to be Guyana’s top partner for everything from security to commerce to innovation. And I think it’s a testament to the Guyanese realising that when you pick a US partner, you’re going to get long-term quality. You’re going to get professional capacity building. You’re going to get safety and security. You’re going to get business ethics and standards that are world-class. And that is just something that we’re so proud to bring to Guyana,” she expressed.

“And it’s really interesting because I’ve seen it evolve and I’ve seen Guyanese businesses becoming so good at these things. And I think it’s just a testament to how we share our knowledge and expertise and how we’ve been able to share best practices. So, our companies are better because they’re here working with the Guyanese companies,” the diplomat added.

However, she noted that there are several areas that need improving to guarantee efficiency and cut out corruption in doing business in Guyana. “From the US and especially US private sector perspective that would be wonderful to see is a modernised tender process. That would be really great. Also seeing some of the elements of doing business here that are so important to international companies like the tax issue. So, to see GRA (Guyana Revenue Authority) streamlining its processes, for example, tax submission and tax refunds, that would be wonderful to see. A very predictable regulatory environment is so important for international businesses,” Ambassador Theriot noted. Nonetheless, she acknowledged that efforts are being made to make the processes and systems better, pointing to a serious commitment by President Dr Irfaan Ali. “I think Guyana is making strides in that area, but it’s just going to take a little bit more,” she expressed.

Streamlined GRA

The GRA has said it will put systems in place to facilitate online payments for taxes as well as motor vehicle licences before the end of the year. Already, GRA has been expanding access to online services for revenue administration and through its eServices platform, with 85,465 tax returns filed in the first half of the year. This system will enable online payments through Mobile Money Guyana (MMG) and debit cards before the end of the year. Additionally, more than 84,000 persons are registered in the Padna Mobile App, which was updated in the first half of the year to improve the filing of individual income tax returns and notification of refunds.

This App will be upgraded to facilitate payments for motor vehicle licence before the end of the year. Currently, over 70 public services are online, of which 11 were deployed in the first half of 2026 including services for the application and processing of cash grants, passports, work permits and environmental authorisations.

Modern tender process

The Government has also committed to rolling out a modern, electronic procurement system by the end of the year. The e-procurement system will have a digital bidder’s register, an e-tender lifecycle module, a national e-tender portal, and an e-marketplace. The National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) already has a bidder register, but under the e-system, it will be expanded to include additional information for each contractor, supplier and consultant.

These include beneficial ownership, GRA and National Insurance Scheme (NIS) compliance status, contractor classification by size, past performance and any debarments or suspensions. The e-tender lifecycle module will digitise the full tender process end-to-end, covering procurement planning, tender creation, publication, bid submission, evaluation, contract award, contract administration, variation, payment processing and real-time tracking. The module would automate routine checks; flag compliance; risk support evaluation teams with structured scoring tools; detect anomalies and potential red flags; and generate a dashboard for management oversight.

The e-marketplace will be a catalogue-based marketplace for routine, low-to-medium-value goods and standard services that would allow procurement agencies to procure the same from pre-qualified suppliers using standard specifications, published prices, framework segments, and electronic purchase orders. President Ali has already said this new system will ensure greater transparency in public procurement.

Minerals and Port

Meanwhile, Ambassador Theriot highlighted two major US projects taking place in Guyana in the areas of minerals and port development – noting that they could help set the stage for greater US investment and expanded economic cooperation between the two countries. The US has announced a US$150 million investment geared towards expanding bauxite mining in Guyana. The US Department of War’s Economic Defence Unit and Strategic Bauxite USA, LLC (SBX) are funding the project, which takes place primarily at the Bonasika Mine in Region Three.

According to the US Ambassador, “what I really like about that project is that President Ali has been asking for international companies to help create in Guyana the value-added part of that. Don’t keep just taking our valuable natural resources and going away with them. In this country, create the opportunity and the facilities and the factories and the refineries that are able to add value to those minerals and to those different natural resources. And that is exactly what this project is going to do.”
Furthermore, she highlighted how US investments and partnerships are contributing to a massive port development in the Demerara River. “Just a few weeks ago, I toured TriStar Port…It’s actually a US$250 million investment. It’s a US-Guyanese owner. And they have the deepest port on the Demerara. It’s seven metres. And in the next few months, they’re actually going to be dredging to make it 12. They’ll eventually be 12 metres, which is much deeper than anything else. They are modernising. And they have been talking to the US Government’s Development Finance Corporation (DFC) about getting some additional financing to create a completely modern roll-on, roll-off terminal, one that will be able to take passengers and high-value vehicles. So, they are going to make this an absolutely state-of-the-art modern port right there on the Demerara…So, it’s just a brilliant project. And I’m so proud that it’s both a US-funded, US-built. Case Engineering from Louisiana built it. Louisiana is my home state, so I had to say that. So, US-built, US-funded, and the US Government is looking at potentially helping them finance the expansion. So, a good  news story all around,” she remarked.