AGP Executive Report

Guyana Development Bank Launch: The Guyana Development Bank opens today with a seven-member board, including Chairman Abu Zaman and Deputy Kathy Smith, aiming to expand SME credit via zero-interest, no-collateral loans up to G$3M plus mentorship and support. Aviation & Connectivity: AOAG kicks off an international recruitment drive for pilots and aviation engineers as demand rises, while a new Guyana–France air services agreement could enable direct flights to Cayenne, French Guiana. Tourism Tech & Planning: SOTIC 2026 is underway in Georgetown, with sessions on tourism intelligence, technology, investment and smart, sustainable growth. Health & Cancer Care: Cancer Awareness Month coverage highlights rising diagnoses and the push for earlier screening; meanwhile, breast cancer services are being expanded with mammography and new pathology and oncology capacity. Agriculture Innovation: FAO urges Guyanese to back local farmers and fishers as Agriculture Month spotlights precision agriculture and climate-smart practices. Public Safety Tech: Home Affairs says the Safe Country initiative has installed about 800 CCTV cameras over five years, with facial recognition also used to track suspects. Local Industry & Exports: UMAMI’s first container shipment of Guyanese-made products sails to Qatar, signaling a shift from launch to sustained trade. EV Push: BYD brings the Yuan Pro to Berbice Expo with a promotion starting around G$69,000/month.

Public Safety Tech: Guyana’s Safe Country push is paying off, with Home Affairs Minister Oneidge Walrond saying about 800 CCTV cameras installed over five years are helping police identify suspects and speed up investigations, including through facial recognition. Energy & Industry: The oil-and-gas crowd is looking to Brazil’s Rio Oil & Gas (ROG.e 2026) for deals and tech, while Guyana’s own energy planning continues amid scrutiny of bids for the Amaila Falls hydropower project. Health Tech: A seminar from the Cochlear Center argues for treating hearing like a routine health metric via a “Hearing Number,” and Guyana is also expanding breast cancer services—mammography, pathology labs, and oncology clinics—beyond Georgetown. Education & Skills: UG’s 60th graduation will see 3,700+ graduands across multiple campuses, and the Prison Service launched a training fair to boost officer skills. Governance & Data: Commentary urges Guyana not to fear data centres, while others call for stronger accountability around the new Guyana Development Bank and public investment oversight. Connectivity: A Guyana–France air services agreement could enable direct flights to Cayenne via Trans-Guyana Airways.

Energy & Governance: A U.S.-linked firm with a controversial Brazil history, OEC USA (with GE Vernova and Worley), is bidding for Guyana’s Amaila Falls hydropower project, renewing questions about how bids are evaluated as the government reviews five proposals. Public Accountability: A call is growing for an independent Commissioner for Public Investment and Contract Accountability, plus a single searchable public register to track contracts, grants, beneficial owners, payments, and delivery. Infrastructure & Mobility: Guyana and France signed a new Air Services Agreement that could enable direct flights to Cayenne, with Trans-Guyana Airways already seeking the route. Tech & Industry: HSM Motors launched GAC and AION electric vehicles in Guyana, while BYD brought the Yuan Pro EV to Berbice with a GYD $69,000/month promotion. Health Tech: Breast cancer services are expanding nationwide with mammography at regional hospitals and new pathology and oncology capacity at GPHC. Education & Skills: UG will graduate 3,700+ students across multiple ceremonies, and the Prison Service launched a training fair to boost officer skills. Regional Science & Policy: CARICOM and ICAO pushed practical aviation safety cooperation through the CASSOS roadmap discussions in Guyana. Agriculture Innovation: FAO urged support for local farmers and highlighted tech-driven, climate-smart agriculture as Agriculture Month begins.

Cancer Care Upgrade: Guyana is expanding breast cancer services, adding mammography at Suddie, Linden, New Amsterdam and Lethem, plus a new pathology lab and expanded oncology clinics at GPHC and New Amsterdam. Aviation Connectivity: A Guyana–France Air Services Agreement signed after 50 years could enable direct Cayenne flights via Trans-Guyana Airways. Healthy Streets (Urban Tech): President Ali inspected Thomas Street works under the Healthy Streets Initiative, focusing on coordinated drainage and safer, greener pedestrian design. Regional Aviation Safety: CARICOM, ICAO and Guyana hosted a symposium pushing stronger regional oversight through CASSOS and a roadmap to 2035. STEM on the Global Stage: Team Guyana Robotics heads to South Korea for FIRST Global Challenge 2026, with ENet backing and a wildfire-focused competition theme. Electric Mobility: BYD brings the Yuan Pro to Berbice Expo with a promotion from GYD $69,000/month and up to 410 km range. Women-Centered Reporting: UNFPA will collaborate with local media to better cover gender-based violence, child marriage and adolescent pregnancy. Education Pipeline: UG’s 60th graduation will see 3,700+ graduands across multiple ceremonies starting Nov 17.

Aviation Safety Push: CARICOM, ICAO and Guyana’s aviation authority held a regional symposium in Georgetown calling for stronger cooperation and better capacity sharing to make aviation oversight work in practice, with focus on the CASSOS roadmap to 2035. Royal Visit & Heritage: Buckingham Palace says King Charles and Queen Camilla will visit Guyana Oct 29–30 as part of a Caribbean tour, marking 60 years of UK–Guyana ties, while also “not shying away” from Britain’s slavery past—without a formal apology or reparations. Local Tech & Training: The Guyana Prison Service launched a three-day training fair to upgrade officers’ skills and support rehabilitation, featuring booths across management, IT, reception and more. Public Health: GPHC reported 107 new breast cancer cases from January to August 2026, noting improved early detection and fewer late-stage presentations. Energy & Industry: Exxon says Guyana’s oil reserves have fallen to under 11 billion barrels, even as production continues from four FPSOs. Agriculture & Food Security Idea: A proposal highlights solar-powered cold storage for rural farmers to cut post-harvest spoilage and boost incomes. Community Safety: Veterinarian Dr. Steve Surujbally urged responsible dog ownership beyond fencing, warning neglect and poor containment can lead to attacks.

Aviation Safety & AI: President Irfaan Ali urged CARICOM and global aviation regulators to build an international AI safety strategy that protects equity, as Guyana hosted a regional forum focused on strengthening oversight and accident investigation capacity. Regional Aviation Cooperation: CARICOM, ICAO and partners backed a roadmap to deepen CASSOS support, while Minister Deodat Indar called for harmonised rules and a Guyana Aviation Centre of Excellence—seeking an international partner to train pilots and engineers. STEM & Robotics: Team Guyana Robotics secured new backing for the FIRST Global Challenge 2026 in South Korea, with ENet, IDB and MODEC boosting young innovators. Health: GPHC reported 107 new breast cancer cases in the first eight months of 2026, alongside signs of improved early detection. Agriculture Tech & Food Security: Agriculture Month 2026 spotlighted innovation-led growth and Guyana’s push to anchor Caribbean food security through technology, data and agro-processing. Security & Drones: The US plans US$2M in grant aid for high-tech drones to help track illegal narcotics and overflights. Local Cleanup & Urban Upgrade: Contractors were urged to complete Le Repentir Cemetery cleaning to standard, and Thomas Street Avenue works advanced under the Healthy Streets Initiative. Business Skills: 21 small business owners received operations certificates after training in management, marketing and record-keeping. Oil Update: Exxon says Guyana’s reserves have fallen below 11B barrels, while continuing development plans.

Aviation & AI Safety: President Irfaan Ali urged ICAO and regulators to build a comprehensive international AI safety strategy for rapidly automated aviation, stressing equity so developing states aren’t left behind. Regional Aviation Oversight: CARICOM opened a high-level aviation safety symposium in Georgetown, pushing stronger cooperation, harmonised rules, and sustainable technical capacity (Guyana chairs CASSOS). Aviation Centre of Excellence: Government is seeking an international partner to develop and run a Guyana Aviation Centre of Excellence, with $100M already earmarked to train pilots and engineers. Guyana–France Connectivity: Guyana and France renewed an Air Services Agreement, aiming to expand routes and deepen bilateral aviation ties. Tech for Youth: IDB and MODEC backed Team Guyana Robotics 2026 ahead of FIRST Global Challenge in South Korea. STEM Inclusion: GCOPD’s Inclusive Innovators will train 320 children with disabilities in STEM and robotics with ExxonMobil support. Healthy Streets (Georgetown): Thomas Street Avenue works (Lamaha to Church) are underway under the Healthy Streets Initiative. Food Security & Agri-Tech: Agriculture Month 2026 highlights Guyana’s push to modernise farming with science, data, mechanisation and climate-smart systems to boost regional food security. Public Safety Tech: US plans a $2M grant for high-tech drones to help track illegal drug flights and overflights. Health: GPHC recorded 107 breast cancer cases in the first eight months of 2026. Crime & Assets: Attorney General Nandlall says courts should expect more applications to freeze, detain and forfeit criminal-linked assets.

Aviation Safety & Tech Capacity: CARICOM and ICAO opened a regional aviation safety symposium in Georgetown, with Guyana’s Deodat Indar pushing harmonised rules, shared oversight and stronger technical capacity; Guyana also chairs CASSOS (2026–2028). Aviation Centre of Excellence: Government is seeking an international partner to build and run a Guyana Aviation Centre of Excellence, with $100M already earmarked to train pilots and aviation engineers. Agriculture Innovation: Agriculture Month 2026 kicks off under “Innovate, Nourish, Grow,” highlighting drones, sensors, precision irrigation and the Farmers Connect app as Guyana targets stronger food security and climate-resilient production. Healthy Streets (Georgetown): Works are underway on the first Thomas Street Avenue project under the Healthy Streets Initiative, aiming for a greener, safer corridor. Public Safety Tech: OSRL unveiled new shallow-water well control capability for safer capping stack deployment, and Guyana’s courts are set for more asset-freezing and forfeiture cases as law enforcement “follows the money.” Security & Drones: The US plans $2M in grant aid for high-tech drones to help track illegal narcotics and overflights. Health: GPHC recorded 107 breast cancer cases in the first eight months of 2026.

AI Policy Talks: The Bahamas joined IDB-led regional talks on safe AI adoption, with Google, Microsoft, Nvidia, Meta and others discussing a shared AI strategy, investment rules, digital infrastructure and workforce training. Asset Recovery Push: Guyana’s AG says courts should expect more applications to freeze accounts, detain property and forfeit assets tied to crime, as INTERPOL urges “follow the money” and prosecutors get trained. STEM Inclusion: GCOPD with ExxonMobil launched Phase 7 of Inclusive Innovators, bringing STEM/robotics training to 320 children with disabilities across multiple regions. TVET Tech Upgrade: Education and Tourism ministries met Niagara College on curricula for Guyana’s Hospitality and Tourism Training Institute at Port Mourant, with plans to blend classroom learning, workplace experience and emerging tech. CAD Labs for Schools: Education commissioned AutoCAD labs at Zeeburg Secondary and earlier phases outfitted six schools with laptops and software to modernise industrial tech training. Agriculture Innovation: Agriculture Month 2026 kicked off under “Innovate, Nourish, Grow,” highlighting drones, sensors, precision irrigation and the Farmers Connect app, plus farmers’ markets and Honey Fest. Regional Digital Health: CARICOM moved to advance a regional digital health strategy with PAHO, IDB and the World Bank. Aviation Safety & AI: Guyana hosted a global aviation safety forum and President Ali called for an AI strategy to improve aviation safety, regulation and equity. Siren Crackdown: Traffic authorities urged the public not to bribe officers and highlighted enforcement against unauthorised emergency sirens. Bird Flu Alert: Guyana is on high alert for H5N1 after Suriname reported outbreaks and culling.

Aviation Safety & Tech: President Irfaan Ali opened the ICAO/EASA forum in Guyana, pushing an AI strategy for aviation safety and saying the country is moving toward a Caribbean-wide airspace/EEZ monitoring mechanism. Airport Expansion: Guyana is ready to finalise talks with a major airline to use CJIA Terminal 2 as a global hub, with security systems and aviation training support in the plan. STEM in Schools: The Education Ministry commissioned AutoCAD/CAD labs at secondary schools, including Zeeburg and New Amsterdam, to modernise TVET with digital design skills. Agri Innovation: Agriculture Month 2026 launched under “Innovate, Nourish, Grow,” highlighting drones, sensors, precision irrigation and the Farmers Connect app, plus more farmers’ market and Honey Fest activities. Digital Health (Regional): CARICOM, with PAHO, IDB and the World Bank, advanced a regional digital health strategy covering surveillance, workforce and primary care. Public Safety & Integrity: Traffic Chief Mahendra Singh urged the public not to bribe officers, while courts are set to see more asset-freezing and confiscation cases targeting criminal money. Health Security: Guyana is on alert for bird flu after Suriname’s H5N1 outbreak, with quarantine checks and surveillance ramped up.

Aviation & AI: President Irfaan Ali says Guyana is seeking a major airline partner to use CJIA Terminal 2 as a global hub, while urging ICAO/EASA to put AI at the centre of aviation safety planning and equity. Digital Health: CARICOM health ministers, with PAHO, IDB and the World Bank, move to advance a regional digital health strategy covering care delivery, surveillance and evidence-based decisions. STEM & Skills: The Ministry of Education commissions a new AutoCAD lab at New Amsterdam Secondary, expanding TVET with practical digital design training; GCOPD also launches Phase 7 of Inclusive Innovators with STEM and life skills clubs for children with disabilities, supported by ExxonMobil. Energy & Power Reliability: GPL presses contractors on electricity project deadlines amid repeated outages. Crime-Finance Courts: Attorney General Nandlall warns courts to expect more applications to freeze, detain and forfeit criminal assets. Sustainable Tourism: Guyana hits 60% compliance on Green Destinations’ Good Travel Seal criteria, with 10 businesses certified and a push to improve visitor experience. MV Barima Update: The COI is set to begin in early October as families protest delays and legal challenges continue. UN Diplomacy: Security Council straw polls show UN secretary-general race still wide open, with Guyana’s Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett among leading contenders.

Aviation & AI: President Irfaan Ali urged stronger AI safety planning at the ICAO-EASA forum, and said Guyana is moving toward a Caribbean-wide tech system to monitor airspace and the EEZ. Air hub push: Government says it’s ready to finalise talks with an international airline to use CJIA Terminal 2 as a global hub, alongside security and training partnerships. STEM & TVET upgrades: New AutoCAD labs were commissioned at New Amsterdam Secondary (and also reported for Hope Secondary and North Ruimveldt), part of an $85M push to expand practical digital design training. Inclusive robotics: A visually impaired student, Mekyla Belgrave, showcased hands-on robotics, coding and drone work through an ExxonMobil-funded inclusive STEM programme. Road safety tech: Traffic authorities report a 19% drop in accidents, crediting speed cameras, SRIS e-tickets, and data-led enforcement. Digital connectivity: EllaLink launched the Caribbean Gateway initiative to expand fibre links across the region, targeting service by end-2029. Governance & justice: In the MV Barima case, defence sought a stay of murder proceedings, while the GECOM election fraud trial continued with new claims about SOP handling and server access.

Caribbean Connectivity: EllaLink launched the EllaLink Caribbean Gateway, a new fibre submarine cable from Cayenne to Martinique and Guadeloupe with a western segment for Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire, moving from design to committed investment with service targeted for end-2029. Guyana Tech & Skills: The Education Ministry commissioned two new AutoCAD labs at Hope Secondary and North Ruimveldt, part of an $85M push to expand Industrial Technology TVET and build digital design skills. STEM Inclusion: ExxonMobil-funded Inclusive Innovators STEM Robotics launched its seventh phase, spotlighting visually impaired student Mekyla Belgrave who built a robot and competed in an inclusive drone/robotics programme. Road Tech Enforcement: Guyana’s SRIS traffic cameras are expanding, with more lanes expected before year-end, while police also seized illegal sirens worth over $2M and warned motorists against bribery. Oil & Frontier Energy: ExxonMobil says it expects to start drilling in T&T’s TTUD-1 block late 2027/early 2028, with seismic imaging expected by end-2026. Regional Diplomacy: Japan is eyeing deeper commercial ties with Guyana after high-level talks on bringing more Japanese companies and advanced technology to the country. UN Leadership Watch: Reports keep spotlighting the UN secretary-general race, with Guyana’s Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett named among leading contenders. MV Barima Aftermath: A family member from Mabaruma rejected a proposed $5M settlement, saying they want justice and won’t sign away rights.

Election Courtroom Tech: GECOM IT manager Aneal Giddings told the fraud trial he didn’t access or tamper with the election server during the 2020 bomb scare, but admitted he had no written permission to stay alone with Statements of Poll for about four hours—raising fresh questions about custody and process. TVET & Digital Skills: NATI welcomed 251 new students for trades like welding, electrical installation, and computer science, while the Education Ministry commissioned new AutoCAD labs at Hope Secondary and North Ruimveldt to push 2D/3D design skills for engineering and construction careers. Road Safety Tech: Guyana’s traffic enforcement is getting more automated—SRIS cameras and speed limiters are expanding, accidents are down 19%, and police seized illegal sirens worth over $2M using Safe City/Safe Road systems and public reporting. Inclusive STEM: Visually impaired student Mekyla Belgrave used an Exxon-funded robotics and drone programme to build a robot, code, and compete successfully. Energy & Infrastructure: President Ali says Amaila hydro talks are at evaluation stage, and Guyana is moving toward a specialised STEM school with an Exxon partnership. Regional Payments: Caricom central banks are advancing CAPSS for instant cross-border payments in local currencies, learning from Africa’s PAPSS rollout. Aviation Expansion: Air Services Limited plans Guyana’s first Fixed-Base Operator facility, adding aircraft and 150 local jobs.

UN Diplomacy: Outgoing UN chief António Guterres warns the next Secretary-General will inherit a more fragmented world, with climate change and uncontrolled AI lacking crisis-management mechanisms. Local Tech & Finance: Ksolves India secured a ~$0.5M order from Demerara Bank to implement an agentic AI solution over 7 months. Connectivity for Hinterland: PM Mark Phillips says all 253 Indigenous communities are connected via WiFiGY, improving electricity access through solar and boosting education access like GOAL. Road Tech Enforcement: Police seized illegal sirens worth $2M and plan to operationalise more traffic cameras; 8,000 truck speed limiters have been procured with installation training underway. STEM Pipeline: President Ali says Guyana is moving toward a specialised STEM school with an Exxon partnership. Space for Girls: A Guyanese teen is in India for Mission ShakthiSAT, training for satellite design and coding. Tourism & AI: CTO’s SOTIC 2026 heads to Georgetown (Oct 5–9) with Melissa Noel, as Guyana pushes “digital agenda” tourism while keeping the human element central.

STEM Education Push: President Irfaan Ali says Guyana is moving toward a specialised STEM school with Exxon, aiming to build long-term technical capacity for the next phase of growth. Aviation Infrastructure: Air Services Limited (ASL) plans Guyana’s first Fixed-Base Operator facility, adding VIP handling, maintenance and engineering support for corporate aircraft. Road Safety Tech: Police seized four illegal siren devices worth over $2M, while 8,000 truck speed limiters have been procured and more traffic cameras are set to go live before year-end. Gender + Work Skills: Women are breaking into skilled trades, and labour-law consultations are pushing for equality and non-discrimination as technology reshapes jobs. AI Meets Tourism: World Tourism Day coverage highlights AI and digital tools for smarter, more inclusive tourism—without losing the human touch. Space for Girls: A Guyanese teen is selected for Mission ShakthiSAT in India, training in coding and satellite payload development. Health Systems Focus: Future Health’s UNGA dialogue spotlights prevention-first healthcare, including data, financing, delivery capacity and trusted systems.