opportunities. For example, engineering and construction for infrastructure development to service the many operations in the hinterland, commercial opportunities for transport and communication, air transport services, water and road transport, satellite and tele-linkages are just a few such opportunities. Other examples are in fabrication and equipment repairs which are essential to the sector and as the assets on the ground become more expensive, surveillance and security services can emerge with much business potential.
Forestry
created to address issues as reduced deforestation and land degradation, the protection of biodiversity, reduction of mining accidents and the containment of the proliferation of malaria. Since Guyana signed the Minimatta Convention which adheres to the ban of the trade in mercury, the GGMC now has the challenge of finding providing alternatives to mercury use in the recovery of gold
while at the same time improving the efficiency of recovery of gold. This challenge has led to the establishment of a G$1 billion fund by the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment to promote research, testing and development of a mercury free/abatement technology and/or methods for mining. The major works associated with the mining sector offer numerous investment and business
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Guyana’s forest sector continues to be a lucrative area for investment and offers tremendous potential for further growth and expansion. The GoG supports this sector through the creation and implementation of strong public policies and effective legislation. Over the past decade the forest sector has seen development of new guidelines in key areas of forest management including the Code of Practice for Harvesting Operations, Guidelines for Forest Management and Annual Operational Planning, and Forest Inventory. Additionally, over the past five years, the sector has seen modernization of forest legislation that emphasizes the principles of sustainable forest management. This framework of sustainable forest management provides assurance to buyers that wood products from Guyana are derived from responsible forest practices that emphasize strong forest legality. In fact, Guyana is one of few countries in the world that has on a national scale, a log tracking systems that has been in effect for close to a decade. With increasing production noted in 2013, Guyana’s forest investment climate is well positioned for enhanced investor interest. In 2013, production volumes far surpass the preceding year of 2012. Production increased by approximately 10% in 2013 over 2012 (473,041 m3 in 2013 as compared to 428,934m3 in 2012). In the category of Logs, production increased by close to 10% over 2012. In the Roundwood category, production increased by 24% in 2013 compared to 2012. Production of Plywood and Veneer also showed marked improvement when compared with 2012. This product category recorded an increase of 57% in 2013 compared to 2012 production. The forest sector is projected to remain stable in 2014, with export value increasing over the 2013 level. With a strong policy framework and stable investment climate Guyana’s forest sector has much to offer to both existing and new investors both home and abroad. Therefore, the resource revenues garnered by Guyana are used primarily to promote sustained, inclusive economic development through enabling and maintaining high levels of investment in the country. Effective utilization of resource revenues requires that domestic expenditure and investment