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The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) is extremely pleased at the
Government of Guyana’s tabling of the Local Content Bill in the National Assembly. The GCCI
retains its view, in a steadfast manner, that Local Content will facilitate material benefit to the
Guyanese private sector.

The Chamber, as the general public is aware, has championed the cause for Local Content since the
beginning of 2017. Throughout these years, the Chamber has undertaken an expansive range of
activities which it viewed as being necessary to aid in the general public’s understanding of local
content, including but not limited to forums, seminars, webinars, policy briefs, extensive commentary,
advocacy, crafting of a model legislation and consultation sessions. Thus, it is imperative that the
GCCI reinforces that the Local Content Bill being tabled is representative of a gold standard
instrument in supporting private sector development.

The GCCI has actively participated in the consultations with the Government of Guyana and is
pleased to see that key areas, where local capacity exists, have been ring-fenced for Guyanese
enterprises. Further, the Chamber is especially pleased at the Bill’s establishment of two key
institutions – the Local Content Secretariat and the Inter-Agency Advisory Committee. These two
institutions engender the dynamism which such a Bill ought to encapsulate. This will ensure that the
private sector continues to benefit from this legislation long into the future.

The Chamber of Commerce now anticipates further improvements and reforms to both the
institutional and legislative framework necessary to support the country’s development including the
establishment of the Petroleum Commission. The GCCI wishes to once again commend the
government for the tabling of the Local Content Bill and reiterates that it will continue to be a partner
in Guyana’s development, as we have since 1889.

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