The government’s push to create wealth for more Guyanese is set to accelerate with three major initiatives outlined by President Dr Irfaan Ali, including the establishment of a Junior Stock Exchange in the first half of 2026.
The announcement was made during the cocktail reception for the Guyana Local Content Summit held on June 2 at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel. According to the President, the Junior Stock Exchange will create opportunities for Guyanese individuals and businesses to acquire ownership stakes in major projects operating in the country, moving beyond traditional employment and procurement opportunities.
“We are now moving into an era where we want local content to be structured in the everyday evolution of our economy,” President Ali said.
He revealed that at least one major developer in the gold industry has already expressed a willingness to reserve shares for local businesses.
“I am very pleased to say in the gold sector, for example, one of the very large developers, they are willing to set aside shares for local businesses and that is why it is important for us to have the Junior Stock Exchange established,” the Head of State stated.
The Junior Stock Exchange is one of the three most recent mechanisms the government is pursuing to create wealth for more Guyanese. The second is the Guyana Development Bank, which will soon provide small businesses with access to financing of up to approximately $3 million without requiring collateral or interest payments.
The third initiative is a Diaspora Bond, which will allow Guyanese abroad to invest in national development projects while earning fixed returns on their investments.
President Ali also disclosed that he has tasked Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, with identifying additional service-provider opportunities to be added to the Local Content Act. To date, Guyanese individuals and businesses have secured more than $500 billion in procurement and employment opportunities through the legislation.
With the Junior Stock Exchange, Guyana Development Bank and Diaspora Bond, the government is extending that model of participation and ownership across the wider economy.