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The Chamber in collaboration with the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest) held a press briefing on February 14 at the GCCI Secretariat, and provided the media with an overview of the plans for its 2025 participation as well as the benefits that participants have received over the last several years.

OTC 2025 is scheduled to be held from May 5 to 8, in Houston, Texas, and President of the GCCI, Mr. Kester Hutson stated, “It’s our annual trade mission that Guyana has been going to and leading the way in a significant way.” He pointed out that outbound trade missions are not new to the GCCI and the private sector is the engine of growth for the country, and as such, these events are important.

Meanwhile, Senior Vice President, Mrs. Kathy Smith highlighted efforts within the Chamber to foster increased opportunities for its membership. Mrs. Smith, who is the Chairperson of the GCCI’s Petroleum Committee, shared, “We focus on areas that help to support the energy sector but more than that what we have decided to do is see how we can take our members to organisations, to places, to countries where they can get an understanding of the energy sector.” She iterated that participation in the conference is an investment for businesses as OTC brings together leading experts in the energy sector. “This is an opportunity for you to go there and get partnerships…every year that we go, members are coming back with partnerships,” she emphasised.

Executive Member and Councillor, Mr. Richard Rambarran spoke of the importance of this collaboration between government agencies and the GCCI to develop Guyana’s knowledge and capacity for the energy sector. “I believe this cooperation between the private sector, business support organisations, and the Government of Guyana continues to be an excellent representation of public-private partnership. It is a good representation of when collaboration happens, what benefits can accrue and redound to the domestic private sector forward using anchor events,” he said. Mr. Rambarran also announced that this far, 12 organisations have registered to participate, and non-member companies that register to participate in OTC 2025 before May 2025 will receive free membership subscription for one year.

Senior Investment Officer at the Guyana Office for Investment, Mr. John Edghill said that Guyana’s participations in OTC last year was a resounding success. “The Guyana Office for Investment will remain committed to financial and technical support for OTC in 2025 and beyond,” he stated. Further, he stressed, “The Offshore Technology Conference will help Guyana to position and remain as part of having its competitive edge in the oil and gas industry.” Mr. Edghill said that OTC is more than an oil and gas event and it is an opportunity to display all that Guyana has to offer to investors.

Dr. Gopnauth Bobby Gossai, Senior Petroleum Coordinator at the Ministry of Natural Resources expressed gratitude to the Chamber for leading the charge in organising Guyana’s participation. “We want to thank the GCCI for always taking the lead on this as the oldest Business Development and Support Organisation in Guyana…Our support is there again,” he said, adding that participation is very pivotal in 2025 as Guyana advances in the development of its offshore sector. “OTC is more than just a conference, it’s more than listening to the technical capabilities for the offshore industry, it gives you that opportunity to find a market for yourself no matter what business you are in,” Dr. Gossai posited.

Brava Solutions and Blue Water Shipping Guyana Incorporated are the corporate partners for the GCCI’s participation in OTC 2025 and expressed the importance of supporting this initiative. Mr. Hilton Wong, General Manager for Brava stated, “We have been a part of the journey from its birth.” He said this is a crucial collaboration that allows participants to follow global trends in the energy industry and access partnerships. Mr. Richard DeNobrega, Senior Vice President, Sales and Development, Blue Water Shipping Guyana Inc. echoed these sentiments, saying, “We see the benefits of OTC…We owe it to the country as a private sector body to participate and let the world know that Guyana is ready to continue the growth.”