President Ali urges public-private partnerships to drive inclusive growth

President Dr. Irfaan Ali has renewed his call for stronger collaboration between government and the private sector, emphasizing that such partnerships are key to ensuring sustainable and inclusive economic growth in his second term.

Speaking on Tuesday at a meeting with business leaders from the Chambers of Commerce, the Manufacturing Association, the Private Sector Commission, and other stakeholders, the President outlined opportunities in agriculture, aquaculture, exports, housing, health services, tourism, and other emerging sectors. He urged businesses to pursue these opportunities while ensuring that benefits extend beyond corporate profits to employees and communities.

“Our government is committed to guiding Guyana from its current state into a future defined by sustainable economic growth,” President Ali said. “But this must not be about corporate success alone—it must be about the fair distribution of wealth that improves lives at every level of society.”

The government has already introduced measures to stimulate investment in agriculture and aquaculture, expand housing, and diversify the economy beyond oil. These include fiscal incentives, infrastructure development, and workforce training to build local capacity.

Ali stressed the private sector’s role in enhancing Guyana’s competitiveness regionally and internationally, noting that partnerships can accelerate agro-processing, improve export readiness, strengthen tourism, and enhance services such as health care.

His remarks come as Guyana experiences rapid growth driven by oil revenues. While this has created significant opportunities, it has also raised concerns about equity and sustainability. Analysts warn that without inclusive strategies, wealth could remain concentrated, leaving vulnerable groups behind.

By calling on companies to extend the benefits of expansion to employees and stakeholders, the government is pushing for a model of broadly shared prosperity. For many business leaders present, the message was clear: economic growth must be matched by growth in opportunity for the people.