Report by the WTO Secretariat

Guyana’s improved economic performance since its last Review in 2003 came hand-in-hand with high prices for its main export products and significant reform efforts in various areas including the tax and investment regimes, competition policy and government procurement. Nevertheless, Guyana’s per capita income remains low by regional standards and additional reforms are needed to promote investment and thus development. Such reforms should include the expansion of the country’s economic infrastructure, particularly in the transport and energy sectors, as well as the further strengthening of governance and the regulatory environment. The latter requires improvements to, among others, customs procedures, SPS regime, fiscal incentives, and the protection of intellectual property rights. Technical assistance will continue to be instrumental to implement effectively these changes and to allow Guyana to participate more fully in the multilateral trading system.