The Annual Offshore Technology Conference was held at the NRG Centre in Houston, Texas, from May 1–4, 2023. The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry dispatched a delegation comprised of fifteen member companies. At the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC), experts from the energy sector came together to exchange thoughts and viewpoints with the goal of enhancing scientific and technological knowledge of offshore resources and environmental challenges.

Day One:
– The Guyana Pavilion at the Offshore Technology Conference 2023 (OTC) was formally inaugurated on May 1 with a symbolic ribbon-cutting ceremony. The GCCI President, Kester Hutson, Senior Vice President, Richard Rambarran, Treasurer, Orson Ferguson, Secretary, Kathy Smith, and other GCCI members were present to witness this significant event.

– The Venezuelan Chamber of Petroleum representatives met with the President, Kester Hutson and Senior Vice President of the GCCI, Richard Rambarran. Possible areas of chamber-level cooperation were the topics of discussion.

– President, Kester Hutson and Senior Vice President of the GCCI, Richard Rambarran met with representatives of Energy NL of Newfoundland and Labrador. The meeting allowed for discussions on collaboration, expansion on our relationship and mutual participation in events.

– Members of the delegation attended a reception honouring Mr. Robin Muneshwer, the Executive Director of Muneshwers Ltd. and Senior Partner of Guyana Shorebase Inc.

Day Two:
– Richard Rambarran, Senior Vice-President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), participated in the “Around the World Series” and underlined the reasons why Guyana should increase its oil production and why the local content legislation should not dissuade foreign investors. In his presentation Rambarran elaborated on those two key areas, addressing the myths that exists in both the public and private sectors. He extensively discussed economies around the world with burgeoning energy industries. Because the demand for oil will be high based on accelerated production, Rambarran believes the conversation will ultimately be shifted to the type of oil being produced and the carbon footprint left on the landscape from that type of oil. It was shared that in 2040, there should be an estimation of over 100 million barrels of oil being produced, which puts Guyana in a position of immense economic growth.
Under the Local Content Legislation, a Guyanese company is defined by one that is 51% owned by Guyanese, hence, there is still scope for participation as a minority foreign investor. “We recognize as a country that we need help, we need partnerships, we need support, we need joint ventureships. This will accelerate us on the learning curve,” he noted.
He further stated, “It is extraordinarily important as the Chamber of Commerce for the country that we responsibly advocate in ensuring that we facilitate as much investment as we possibly can.”

– President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI), Kester Hutson signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the South Louisiana Economic Council (SLEC).
The MOU aims to establish and encourage cooperative partnerships between the two parties for the overall advantage of our membership. In order to foster regional economic development in the Bayou Region of the State of Louisiana, the United States of America, the SLEC was created as a non-profit economic development organization.

– After the ViaSat-3 Americas satellite was successfully launched into a geostationary orbit on April 30, 2023, GTT, a member of the GCCI, and WANSAT are now closer to delivering high-speed broadband internet to remote areas of Guyana. Orson Ferguson, Chief Operations Officer of GTT and Treasurer of the GCCI, made the announcement at the Guyana Pavilion.

– The GCCI President, Kester Hutson attended a networking cocktail event organized by Oceaneering International. This occasion afforded the President the opportunity to make new connections within the petroleum sector.

– The Shapoorji Pallonji Group of India organized a cocktail party in conjunction with David Mahmallji, a member of the GCCI. Several members of the GCCI delegation, including the President, Senior Vice President, and Secretary of the Chamber, were present at this event.

Day Three:
– Kester Hutson, President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI), attended a Bilateral Chamber’s Board of Advisors Session. Discussions surrounded doing business in Guyana and the need to attract foreign investors. In attendance were several US companies, members of the local private sector and Go-Invest. The Minister of Natural Resources, Hon. Vickram Bharat provided opening remarks regarding Guyana’s appetite for foreign investment.

– Members of the GCCI delegation attended a guided tour at the Lindsayca Oil and Gas Integrated Solutions Group Facility. The tour was attended by members of the Executive Management Committee – Secretary, Kathy Smith, Treasurer Orson Ferguson along with members of the GCCI Council. The presentation outlined the project’s stages as it works towards producing a dependable and affordable source of energy for power generation, lowering electricity bills and enhancing energy security.

– President of the GCCI, Kester Hutson met with representatives of the Brazilian Chamber of Petroleum. Discussions surrounded possible areas of mutual collaboration at the chamber level.

– Secretary of the GCCI, Kathy Smith met with representatives of Hyprops Nigeria. The prospective business opportunities in Guyana were discussed, as well as how the GCCI can assist the company to navigate the local business environment.

– Members of the delegation attended Exxon Mobil’s Guyana Cocktail reception.
– Member of the GCCI, Ramps Logistics, hosted Caribbean Cocktail night which saw the attendance of several members of the GCCI delegation.