US$192M East Coast Highway Project Advances Toward October Completion

Guyana’s major East Coast Road expansion—from Sheriff Street to Orange Nassau—is 56.5% complete, with an October 31 deadline in sight. China Railway First Group is executing the project in phases to speed progress, while the government continues to negotiate with the final few residents needing relocation. Once completed, the highway will significantly reduce traffic congestion and boost regional connectivity.

T&T’s New Prime Minister Eyes Natural Gas Collaboration with Guyana

Newly sworn-in Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has directed her energy minister to explore opportunities for gas collaboration with Guyana, citing T&T’s long-standing expertise in the oil and gas sector. This follows the U.S. revocation of licenses for T&T’s Venezuela gas project, opening the door for potential regional partnerships amid rising energy demand and diversification efforts.

Business Opportunities Based On Today’s Developments

Small Enterprise Opportunities

1. Regional Freight Consolidation Services

Opportunity: With air and sea freight costs clearly quantified ($6.66/kg and $4.44/cubic ft), there's a clear need for local freight consolidation, especially for e-commerce sellers or micro-importers.
Why Now: Rising import volumes driven by e-commerce growth, but many small sellers cannot afford full container or direct air freight options. A small business can profit by consolidating multiple shipments and charging competitive fees.

2. Construction Support Services in Berbice

Opportunity: With active development along the Berbice corridor and growing suburban expansion, there’s room for mobile cement mixing, small machinery rentals, or transportation services for block factories and hardware delivery.
Why Now: A dormant block factory towards Berbice is being considered for revival. Small-scale contractors and service providers can position themselves as auxiliary support.

3. Local Business News Video Summaries

Opportunity: Create monetized short-form business content, summarizing daily developments similar to the written newsletter format but localized to Facebook and TikTok.
Why Now: Guyana’s business sector is expanding rapidly, but media is still catching up. Business owners and investors increasingly seek condensed, easy-to-consume, reliable insights.

Medium Enterprise Opportunities

1. Supplement Fulfillment & Retail Distribution

Opportunity: Build a regional distribution hub for supplements and health products, using ocean/air freight estimates to optimize cost. Could dovetail with Nutrition Guyana’s existing model.
Why Now: Growing gym culture, expansion of health-conscious consumers, and costed logistics create a profitable margin structure if sourced well.

2. Private Sector Construction Aggregates Supply

Opportunity: With construction projects accelerating, a medium-sized company can focus on supplying sand, gravel, and stone for road and housing construction.
Why Now: The demand for housing and road infrastructure (especially in secondary regions like Berbice and Essequibo) is growing. Aggregates are often a bottleneck in timing.

3. High-Volume Dehydrated Foods Manufacturing

Opportunity: Build a second-tier factory processing papaya, mango, coconut, or local vegetables into powders or snacks.
Why Now: Caribbean and North American markets increasingly demand shelf-stable, natural products. With the success of Caribbean Cocktail as a proof of concept, others can enter niche categories like fruit powder or meal-prep ingredients.

Large Enterprise Opportunities

1. Cold Storage & Agro-Export Logistics Hub

Opportunity: Invest in a modern agro-export facility near the airport or major port with cold storage, customs integration, and packaging solutions.
Why Now: As Guyana grows in agri-processing, the main missing infrastructure is stable, large-scale cold chain logistics. This hub could attract exporters from across the Caribbean and Brazil.

2. Privatized Utility-Adjacent Infrastructure Projects

Opportunity: Bid for PPP projects involving energy, water treatment, or waste-to-energy. Large-scale energy and waste infrastructure is emerging, often with EXIM or IFC support.
Why Now: Recognition from institutions like the US EXIM Bank for projects like Gas-to-Energy (GtE) shows that government is open to public-private collaboration for national infrastructure.

3. Construction Tech & Automation Systems

Opportunity: Deploy prefab construction systems or software that reduces build time and manages labor, quality, and materials in large residential or commercial projects.
Why Now: Guyana faces a growing labor shortage and increasing housing demand. Technology that reduces dependency on skilled labor will scale quickly, especially for real estate developers.

Side Hustle Ideas Based On Today’s Developments

1. Freight Forwarding Middleman (Micro Import Agent)

What it is: Act as an agent for individuals and small shops wanting to bring in goods from the US, China, or Trinidad. You collect orders, consolidate shipping via air or sea, and charge a handling fee per item or shipment.

Why it works: Freight costs are now well-known and predictable ($6.66/kg by air or $4.44/ft³ by sea), allowing you to price services confidently. Many micro-retailers lack the knowledge or contacts to import efficiently.

Startup Cost: Low (can partner with existing shippers or use established freight companies). Requires trust, social media presence, and time management—not large capital.

2. Construction Site Food or Drink Delivery

What it is: Prep and deliver hot lunches, snacks, or cold drinks to construction crews on weekdays in emerging regions like East Bank, West Dem, and Berbice.

Why it works: Guyana’s construction boom is bringing hundreds of workers onto remote or dusty job sites where they often have no access to nearby food. Fast, reliable lunch delivery can earn strong daily cash flow.

Startup Cost: Medium-low. Can start from your home kitchen or a rented space. Basic food handler’s certificate and delivery transport required.

3. Weekend Real Estate Photography + Drone Mapping

What it is: Use a camera and/or drone to offer affordable photography services to real estate agents, construction sites, or landowners selling parcels.

Why it works: Land sales are booming, and new listings need sharp visuals. Drones are rare but highly valued for giving perspective to large lots or under-construction homes.

Startup Cost: Medium. Initial investment in a drone or DSLR camera, but earns quickly if marketed well. Only needed on weekends or by appointment, making it perfect for side hustle timing.