Guyana Eyes Sport Fishing as Next Eco-Tourism Frontier

The Ministry of Agriculture, in partnership with the FAO, has begun work on a formal policy to govern sport fishing. With Guyana’s rivers and biodiversity offering natural advantages, the policy aims to support eco-tourism and community-based income while preserving indigenous rights and biodiversity. Stakeholders from Rewa, Rockstone, and other eco-tourism sites are shaping the guidelines for sustainable growth.

GCCI President Urges Businesses to Formalize and Capitalize

Kathy Smith, President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry, is urging local businesses to leave behind informal practices and capitalize on the investment boom. She stressed that proper business structures, physical locations, and formal registration are essential for building trust with banks, investors, and partners. Smith believes the time is now for Guyanese entrepreneurs to scale sustainably and contribute to national development.

Business Opportunities Based On Today’s Developments

Top 3 Small Enterprise Opportunities

1. Local Content Structuring & Compliance Services
With the GCCI urging businesses to formalize and GO-Invest highlighting the gap in digital readiness, there’s a clear opportunity to help small businesses get registered, structured, and eligible for contracts in oil and gas. This could include NIS/GRA registration, JV templates, basic websites, and bookkeeping help.
Why it works: Most small operators don’t know where to start. Offering it as a bundled, low-cost service (e.g., GYD 75K–150K) could unlock massive demand.

2. Safe Wild Meat Certification & Mobile Testing
As the government rolls out a One Health platform for wild meat traceability, there’s a niche for certified testers who can serve restaurants, hunters, and processors.
Why it works: The system is new, so being first to market with mobile kits and WhatsApp reporting could build trust and long-term client contracts.

3. Sport Fishing Booking Agent
The government and FAO are formalizing a sport fishing policy — that means eco-lodges will need help bringing in clients.
Why it works: Most don’t have booking systems. You could run this as a WhatsApp-based concierge, connecting tourists to places like Rewa and Rockstone and earning a commission.

Top 3 Medium Enterprise Opportunities

1. HVAC Assembly & Sales with CARICOM Backing
Trinidad’s Maraj Air Conditioning is entering Guyana, but there's still a gap in local assembly and distribution.
Why it works: If you can import knock-down kits and assemble locally, you’d benefit from lower costs and CARICOM trade incentives — especially with major real estate development underway.

2. SME Digital Transformation Service
Private sector players are lagging behind in tech, and the VP has promised zero-interest loans to help SMEs grow.
Why it works: You could offer POS systems, basic cloud inventory tools, or digital bookkeeping on a subscription basis (GYD 25K–40K/month), and target small retailers, salons, and restaurants.

3. Agri-Resilience & Inputs Supply (Post-Flood Response)
Flooding in Black Bush Polder caused serious crop loss. Government is funding replanting efforts.
Why it works: A business offering flood-resilient seeds, drone spraying services, and bundled micro-insurance would fill an urgent need. You’d get paid both by farmers and potentially via government replanting grants.

Top 3 Large Enterprise Opportunities

1. Subsea Services & ROV Base for CARICOM
Orinduik Marine Services just opened a subsea training facility, but the region still lacks a full-service subsea operation base.
Why it works: You could set up a high-end offshore services yard—supporting ROV repairs, saturation diving, and spool bases. Guyana and Suriname both need this capability as deep-water oil production expands.

2. Cold Chain Logistics & Export Hub
Between Maraj AC’s entry, wild meat traceability, and recent flood-related spoilage, Guyana’s cold chain infrastructure is clearly underdeveloped.
Why it works: A cold storage and reefer transport company could serve seafood exporters, agro-processors, and even small farmers. This also prepares you for export-oriented eco-tourism and food safety regulations.

3. Regional Manufacturing Park Near Wales
TTMA's mission resulted in several trade deals, and lower electricity from the Gas-to-Energy project will make local manufacturing viable.
Why it works: Developing a 50-acre light manufacturing park near Wales could attract HVAC manufacturers, agri-processors, and Caribbean partners. With tax holidays and joint infrastructure, this becomes a scalable investment play.

Side Hustle Ideas Based On Today’s Developments

1. SME Digital Upgrade Consultant

What: Offer basic digital services to local small businesses—POS setup, inventory tracking (via WhatsApp or free apps), bookkeeping, and simple websites or social media launch.
Why now: Local firms lag in tech adoption, and policymakers are encouraging private‑sector digitisation. Plus, finance (e.g. zero‑interest SME loans) is becoming more accessible.
How to start:

• Begin by helping 5–10 familiar businesses for a small fee (GYD 20–30K per setup).

• Leverage free tools like Google Workspace, Canva, WaveApps.

• Offer monthly follow‑up service (updates, system administration) for recurring income.

• Build a portfolio and expand via word‑of‑mouth and partnering with local chambers or GO‑Invest.

2. Accredited Wild‑Meat Hygiene & Traceability Advisor

What: Act as a certified liaison between hunters/processors and the new One Health Platform by offering sample collection, testing logistics, and educational outreach for safe wild‑meat handling.
Why now: A new national system was launched; communities need capacity-building and trusted intermediaries.
How to start:

• Get basic training through GLDA/FAO programming.

• Equip yourself with sample kits and documentation templates.

• Offer on-call service per batch/sample, plus group awareness workshops.

• Start small in local markets, then expand to rural communities or nearby towns.

3. Sport‑Fishing Tour & Logistics Coordinator

What: Become a go‑to booking agent for sport‑fishing trips—organising guides, boats, licenses, lodging and transport for anglers.
Why now: Guyana is formalising a sport‑fishing policy and community hotspots (e.g., Rewa, Rockstone) are emerging as destinations.
How to start:

• Reach out to local guides and lodges to build a service network.

• Create simple promotional material and manage bookings via WhatsApp or a mini‑site.

• Charge a coordination fee or small commission per booking (e.g., 10–15% of trip cost).

• Expand via partnerships with tourism boards and eco‑tour operators.

Why These Work

• Lean startup: No heavy initial capital—just your time, network, and basic tools.

• Aligned with policy shifts: SME tech, food safety, tourism are all government and donor priorities.

• Scalable and local-first: You build trust in your community while solving real gaps in expanding markets.