Georgetown, Guyana – On Tuesday, October 21, 2025, the newly commissioned World Trade Center Georgetown (WTCG), located at 44 High Street, Kingston, Georgetown, was officially launched in a series of events that projected ambition, sophistication, and a clear signal of Guyana’s evolving role on the global trade stage.
The launch attracted an impressive assembly of business leaders, government ministers, trade experts, and international delegates, including the High Commissioner of Belize, Ambassador Gale Miller Garnett, whose embassy is housed in the building. Among the local dignitaries present were Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Susan Rodrigues, Minister of Foreign Affairs Hugh Todd, Minister of Public Utilities and Aviation Deodat Indar, and Minister of Finance Dr. Ashni Singh.
A Vision of Connectivity and Opportunity
Festivities began informally on Monday, October 20, with a networking reception where guests heard from Komal Samaroo, Chairman of Demerara Distillers Limited and Executive Chairman of the WTCG, the hosting entity. In his remarks, Samaroo emphasized the Center’s mission to serve as a bridge between local enterprises and the global marketplace.
The reception also showcased the impressive venue itself, a modern, seven-storey facility featuring approximately 37,500 square feet of office, conference, and event space. Guests praised the building’s elegant design, abundant natural lighting, and state-of-the-art meeting facilities, all of which reflect Guyana’s growing capacity to host high-level international business events.
The evening concluded with a guided nighttime tour of Georgetown, including a crossing of the newly opened Barratt Jagdeo Demerara Harbor Bridge, followed by dinner at a popular local restaurant.
Launch Day Highlights
The official ceremony on Tuesday, October 21, opened with remarks from several distinguished speakers. Dr. Ashni Singh, Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, delivered the feature address on behalf of President Mohamed Irfaan Ali, describing the WTC Georgetown as “a timely and visionary step” in Guyana’s development trajectory.
Karen Gerwitz, Board Member of the World Trade Centers Association (WTCA), reaffirmed the Center’s place within a network of over 320 licensees across 100 countries. She emphasized that WTC Georgetown’s admission to this global association followed a rigorous application process that maintains the high standards of the World Trade Center brand. Notably, WTC Georgetown is the first of its kind in the CARICOM region, placing Guyana among a distinguished circle of international business hubs.
The day’s events concluded with a formal dinner that celebrated Guyana’s culinary excellence. Guests enjoyed signature cocktails crafted with Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) rums fitting as DDL is both a co-sponsor of the building and an occupant of office space within it.
Cultural highlights included vibrant dance performances representing Guyana’s diverse heritage and a spoken-word “Ananci story” that brought humor and warmth to the evening. Olinda Salguero, Director for Central America at the Global Peace Foundation, delivered the evening’s keynote address.
Workshops and Forward Momentum
On Wednesday, October 22, attendees participated in workshops and presentations focused on expanding trade opportunities and strengthening global partnerships. The sessions reflected a shift from celebration to action, equipping participants with strategies to connect Guyana’s private sector to international markets.
Government officials and business leaders alike hailed the opening of WTC Georgetown as far more than a ceremonial ribbon-cutting. Dr. Singh underscored its strategic importance, linking the launch to Guyana’s “extraordinary rate of economic growth” and urging local enterprises to become globally competitive rather than domestically confined.
With Guyana’s economy propelled by oil production, infrastructure expansion, and regional trade, the Center is poised to become a catalyst for diversification, especially into value-added industries and services.
A Defining Moment for Guyana
The formal launch of the World Trade Center Georgetown stands as a benchmark event for modern business in Guyana. The combination of a world-class venue, well-executed programming, and influential speakers underscored not just the opening of a building but the emergence of a nation asserting its place in global commerce.
For Guyanese entrepreneurs, investors, and trade professionals, the WTC Georgetown offers a tangible gateway to international opportunity. As its programming evolves and the relationships forged during the launch continue to deepen, this moment will be remembered as a turning point in Guyana’s journey from resource-driven expansion to a diversified, globally integrated economy.
Kudos to the Executive Director WTC Georgetown Wesley Kirton and staff whose vision and dedication made this landmark event a resounding success.
