President Ali: Human capital, infrastructural development heart of Guyana’s transformation

Guyana is strengthening global partnerships and collaborations to drive national development, with a focus on creating world-class training and upskilling opportunities for both local and international participants. This initiative includes the establishment of in-house facilities offering globally recognised training across multiple sectors.

Speaking at the opening of the Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo at the Marriott Hotel, Kingston, President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali emphasised that human capital development is central to Guyana’s long-term strategy. Key sectors such as healthcare, hospitality, agriculture, energy, and technology are being prioritised to equip the workforce with the necessary skills to sustain national growth.

The President announced a partnership with Northwell, a leading healthcare provider from New York, to position Guyana as a global training hub for nurses, offering internationally recognised certifications. In collaboration with the European Union and Rwanda, Guyana and Barbados will also spearhead the development of a bio-pharma industry, focusing on pharmaceuticals, vaccines, and research and development facilities.

Additionally, President Ali highlighted the US$120 million upgrade of the Guyana Technical Training College, marking the first step towards transforming it into a world-class training centre for oil and gas services.

“A centre that will eventually be the home for global training, especially in deep-sea exploration and operations,” he stated.

The government is also launching the Guyana Digital School, an online education platform designed to provide students with personalised assessments, resources, and mentorship tailored to their career paths.

Further expanding its global reach, Guyana is partnering with Qatar, Canada, and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to introduce upskilling programmes that will enhance local expertise while offering opportunities for regional professionals to benefit from advanced training.

Recognising the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence (AI), President Ali underscored its importance in national security, defence, healthcare, education, and agriculture. He stressed that without AI integration, Guyana risks falling behind in an increasingly competitive global landscape.

The President also emphasised the necessity of infrastructural development, acknowledging that while some critics oppose the rapid expansion, these advancements are essential to sustaining the country’s growth and transformation.