Rising economy needs every skillset, says European Chamber keynote speaker

Guyana’s rapid economic expansion requires the country to harness the talents of all its citizens, including those from the LGBT community, businessman Harold Hopkinson told the European Chamber of Commerce (ECC) Guyana on Tuesday.

Delivering the keynote address at the Chamber Day Luncheon, Hopkinson said the country is undergoing “phenomenal” growth as new investment flows in, business activity accelerates and international interest in Guyana rises. To remain competitive, he said, companies must adopt inclusive policies that allow every qualified person to contribute.

Hopkinson, founder of Secure Innovations & Concepts Inc., a security firm that services nine international airlines at Cheddi Jagan International Airport and provides security for ExxonMobil, said that discrimination weakens both families and the broader economy. “For us to compete and succeed, we as a nation need every capable person,” he said.

He cited his son Quincy’s experience as an example of how acceptance helps individuals thrive. Quincy, who migrated in 2005, is now a director at the University Hospital in Newark, New Jersey. “Discrimination pushes talent away,” Hopkinson said, adding that Guyana continues to experience significant brain drain that affects labour capacity and productivity.

Hopkinson argued that Guyana’s laws criminalising same-sex intimacy — inherited from the British colonial period — are outdated and inconsistent with international human rights standards. While enforcement has been rare in recent years, he said the law is sometimes used to intimidate men perceived to be gay and contributes to broader societal stigma.

He noted that several Caribbean and South American countries have repealed similar legislation, and said inclusive societies tend to attract more investment and build stronger workforces. “Respecting human rights is not only the right thing to do, it is good for business,” he said.

Hopkinson also stressed that modern businesses depend on diverse teams, adding that companies with inclusive practices are more likely to retain skilled workers and deliver better results. “Success comes from building communities where everyone feels welcome,” he said.

He closed by calling for a “One Guyana” where all citizens can live and work without fear.