Brazil accounted for approximately 3.2 per cent of Guyana’s exports and 2.9 per cent of its imports in 2025, Prime Minister Mark Phillips said yesterday, as he urged the newly established Brazil Chamber of Commerce (Guyana) Inc. to help expand trade and investment between the neighbouring countries.
Speaking at the chamber’s launch at the National Library Conference Room in Georgetown, Phillips, who is performing the functions of President, said commercial engagement had not reached its potential despite longstanding diplomatic relations, a shared border and Brazil’s position as South America’s largest economy.
Citing Bureau of Statistics figures, he pointed to the scope for increased commerce and called on the chamber to help businesses establish partnerships, attract investment and address trade barriers.
“The Chamber can become a meeting point for entrepreneurs, manufacturers, investors, exporters and service providers. It can help businesses identify partners, understand regulatory requirements, navigate differences in business culture, establish reliable supply chains and translate commercial conversations into investment decisions,” he said.
Phillips encouraged the organisation to pursue sector-specific trade missions, business-to-business meetings and investment matchmaking, while working with government agencies to identify obstacles and develop solutions.
He also urged it to set measurable objectives for expanding trade, attracting investment and increasing the participation of small and medium-sized businesses.
Agriculture, manufacturing, energy, infrastructure and logistics were identified as priority areas for cooperation. Phillips said Guyana’s expanding economy and geographical position offered Brazilian businesses opportunities to establish regional operations and distribution networks serving Caribbean and wider international markets.
In agriculture, he highlighted technology transfer, livestock development, mechanisation, research and agro-processing. He also referred to a proposed Science, Technology and Innovation Hub involving Brazil’s agricultural research institution, EMBRAPA, as a means of improving productivity and competitiveness.
On energy, Phillips pointed to opportunities in renewable generation, electricity infrastructure and technical cooperation. Guyana’s proposed ammonia and urea fertiliser plant at Wales could also provide an avenue for commercial engagement with Brazil’s agricultural sector, he said.
Phillips stressed that improved transport and logistics links would be important to increasing the movement of goods and people.
“The Takutu River Bridge has provided an important physical link between Guyana and Brazil. The development of the Linden–Lethem corridor, together with improvements to roads, logistics and port facilities, can strengthen that connection and facilitate the movement of goods between northern Brazil, Guyana and Caribbean markets,” he stated.
He welcomed the announcement of international bus routes linking Georgetown and Lethem with Brazilian destinations, saying improved passenger transport could support tourism, trade missions, business travel and cultural exchanges.
Guyana’s ambition to develop deep-water port capacity could also create opportunities for Brazilian exporters and importers seeking access to Caribbean and Atlantic markets, he added.
However, Phillips said physical connections had to be complemented by stronger business relationships and practical measures to address language differences and unfamiliarity with commercial requirements.
“We must judge our success by the businesses established, the investments realised, the jobs created and the goods exchanged,” he said.
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