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A Canadian business delegation organized by the High Commission of Canada to Guyana, is currently in country from October 14 to 17, 2025, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen trade and investment ties between the two nations.

The delegation includes representatives from Bionetix International, Sprig Learning Inc., 4Pay Inc., FreeBalance Inc., and E-Magic Solutions, five companies representing diverse sectors such as financial technology (FinTech), information and communications technology (ICT), infrastructure, education, and sanitation. Their visit is aimed at deepening their understanding of the Guyanese market, exploring potential collaborations, and consolidating existing partnerships. Later in the week, they will be joined by a representative of Export Development Canada, Canada’s export credit and insurance agency for exporters with Canadian content.

According to the High Commission of Canada, the visit forms part of Canada’s broader strategy to foster greater commercial cooperation with Guyana and the wider Caribbean. Over the four-day program, delegates will participate in a series of market knowledge sessions, high-level meetings with government ministers and heads of agencies, and an extensive business-to-business (B2B) program connecting them with local enterprises.

A key highlight of the program will be on-the-ground site visits, providing participants with firsthand insight into Guyana’s rapidly developing infrastructure and investment climate. These site visits are intended to bridge the gap between business dialogue and practical understanding of the opportunities and challenges that exist across multiple sectors.

Speaking on the trade mission, High Commissioner of Canada to Guyana, H.E. Sebastien Sigouin noted that the initiative is part of an ongoing effort to connect Canadian innovation with Guyanese opportunity. “Canada has a long-standing relationship with Guyana built on trust, cooperation, and mutual respect,” he said. “This visit demonstrates our continued commitment to supporting Guyana’s development priorities through partnerships that encourage innovation, knowledge transfer, and sustainable growth.”

The participating companies each bring distinct expertise:

Bionetix International specializes in biotechnology solutions for environmental sanitation and waste treatment.

Sprig Learning Inc. develops adaptive digital learning platforms tailored for early education.

4Pay Inc. provides secure digital payment and FinTech solutions for both businesses and consumers.

FreeBalance Inc. is recognized globally for its work in public financial management and digital governance.

E-Magic Solutions delivers smart infrastructure and digital twin technologies that optimize public and private sector operations.

These companies will explore how their products and services can contribute to Guyana’s modernization drive- particularly as the nation expands its digital economy, infrastructure base, and social services.

The High Commission emphasized that the mission is not only about promoting Canadian business interests, but also about fostering partnerships that can generate long-term, inclusive benefits. The delegation’s presence reinforces Canada’s confidence in Guyana’s economic trajectory and the value of building partnerships rooted in transparency, sustainability, and mutual prosperity.

The delegation’s visit underscores the growing momentum in Canada-Guyana commercial relations. It marks another step toward unlocking shared opportunities and building a more resilient, innovative future together. [High Commission of Canada Press Release]

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Soft drink brand Busta has confirmed its continued support for youth football in Guyana, renewing its partnership with the Petra Organisation for the sixth Annual Republic Bank Under-18 School League.

The seven-week tournament, which kicks off on October 19th, is set to run until November 30th and features the nation’s most promising young footballers.

Guyana Beverages Inc. (GBI), Busta’s parent company, has committed support valued at over GYD$1.1 million throughout the competition.

The contribution includes cash support, branded uniforms for all players and coaches, and match-day refreshments throughout the tournament.

GBI’s General Manager, Samuel Arjoon, highlighted the company’s belief in the competition’s social impact.

“Busta is proud to continue supporting youth development through sports,” Arjoon stated.

“We believe football is not just a game—it is a pathway to building character, confidence, and community among young people. Our ongoing partnership reflects Busta’s commitment to empowering youth and promoting positive lifestyles through healthy competition.”

Troy Mendonca, co-director of the Petra Organisation, welcomed the consistency of the sponsorship and noted its importance in sustaining the league’s growth.

“We are grateful for the unwavering support from Busta, whose partnership has been instrumental in sustaining the league’s growth over the years,” Mendonca said.

“This ensures that young footballers across Guyana continue to have a platform to develop their skills, represent their schools and country, and have the opportunity to build a lifelong love for the game.”

The league brings together school teams nationwide to foster teamwork, discipline, and sportsmanship, serving as a critical platform for talent identification.

The eight participating institutions represent four regions, setting up a clash between regional powerhouses. Chase’s Academic Foundation, the defending league champions, are among the early favourites.

The biggest prize is a slot in the prestigious KFC International Schools Football Championship, which will be hosted in Guyana in December.

The qualification rules, however, feature a key contingency related to Chase’s Academic Foundation, who are also the current KFC International Schools champions:

If Chase’s Academic Foundation wins the Republic Bank league, the international qualification berth will pass to the runner-up.

If any other team lifts the Republic Bank trophy, it will automatically qualify for the December tournament.

The eight participating teams are: Abram Zuil Secondary (Region Two), Bush Lot Secondary (Region Five), President’s College (Region Four), Chase’s Academic Foundation (Region Four), Charlestown Secondary (Region Four), West Ruimveldt Secondary (Region Four), Dolphin Secondary (Region Four) and Three Miles Secondary (Region Seven)

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The government on Tuesday launched an Acoushi ant bait production facility and a vermicompost unit at the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) in Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara as part of efforts to modernise the country’s agriculture sector and strengthen pest control.

The vermicompost unit will use worms to break down organic matter into natural fertiliser, while the Acoushi ant bait facility aims to produce more than 30,000 packages to help farmers curb infestations that destroy crops across coastal and hinterland regions.

Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha and Minister within the Ministry, Vickash Ramkissoon were joined by students and staff of NAREI to commission the facilities. (Photo: News Room)

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha said the initiative supports Guyana’s push to meet the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through improved waste management and research-driven farming.

“The facility allows us to use waste to develop high-quality fertiliser while reducing what goes to landfill,” Mustapha said. “It promotes sustainable farming.”

A demonstation of the compost site at the newly commissioned Vermicompost Unit. (photo: News Room)

Minister within the Ministry of Agriculture, Vickash Ramkissoon, said the project responds directly to long-standing concerns from farmers.

“This stands as a testament to the ministry’s commitment to ensure that there is sufficient ant bait available as we seek to reduce crop loss,” he said.

The government has said it will continue to expand investment in agricultural research and eco-friendly solutions as part of wider efforts to strengthen food security.

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The Amir of the State of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, has received a written message from President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali focusing on enhancing bilateral relations and exploring new areas of cooperation.

The message was received by Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, during a meeting with Safraaz Ahmad Shadood, Ambassador of Guyana to Qatar.

The correspondence underscores the growing partnership between Qatar and Guyana, as both nations seek to deepen diplomatic and economic collaboration in areas of mutual interest.

Guyana officially opened an embassy in Qatar in May, 2023 and Qatar also established an embassy in Guyana.

Guyana and Qatar established diplomatic relations in 1996.

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Roston Chase saw encouraging signs in West Indies’ performance against India in Delhi, despite the visitors losing by seven wickets.

Shai Hope and John Campbell made centuries, the first two for West Indies in 2025.

The team also batted 80-plus overs in both innings after failing to get to that mark all year, improvements that meant more coming against a strong Indian bowling outfit that included Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja.

“Yeah, I think this is the kind of fight that I wanted to see from us, from matches before”, Chase said at the post-match press conference. “So, I think this is a stepping stone, a building step for us to go forward and improve as a Test-playing nation. This is a performance that I think will give us the confidence and boost us in terms of that belief that we can do it against proper Test-playing nations.

“I just want to see the guys continue in this vein and don’t let us go back to those ways. Even if it’s for us to lose, we have to lose in a good way. In a positive way, where we can have a lot of positives coming out of the game.”

West Indies came to India without two of their best fast bowlers, Shamar Joseph and Alzarri Joseph, who were both laid low by injuries. Ultimately, it wasn’t the bowling that let them down though. Chase understood that his side needed to improve their batting to get their first points in this new cycle of the World Test Championship.

“I think where we could improve mainly is our batting,” Chase said. “I think that’s what let us down for the last two series. I think we have a good bowling attack, we had a few injuries. I just think that once we can put good first-inning totals on the board, we will be able to fight for some wins in the Test Championship.”

But this process is complicated by the way the West Indies cricket system currently functions.

“When a lot of our players come into the international level, they play like 20 first-class games, 15 first-class games,” Chase said. “While other teams, when guys come into international cricket, they have like 80 first-class games, 100 first-class games.”

Domestic competitions help batters learn how to score big runs and replicate the process over an extended period of time. West Indies, though, are having to manufacture success without that essential ingredient. This is part of why they have had one-off wins, against Australia in Brisbane and against Pakistan in Multan, but are struggling for consistency.

“So for us, it’s always learning on the job,” Chase said. “So if a guy can get a little longer run [playing Test matches] so that he can adjust and adapt to this level and see what it takes for him to improve and to be consistent at this level, I think that’s good. And I just think that the fight that we showed in this last game will, as I said, give us that belief and that confidence to know that we have what it takes to perform at this level.”

One bright spot for West Indies on this tour of India was the allrounder Justin Greaves, who finished the series with an unbeaten 50 from No. 7 and showed good skill in combating India’s spinners.

“Yeah, well, actually, if we had batted first, he [Greaves] would have batted at No. 6,” Chase. “But obviously him being the allrounder, bowling allrounder, bowling many [14 out of 134.2] overs first, we just wanted to give him some rest. So we just put him at No. 7. But yeah, I think he’s a capable batsman. I know him for a long period and I personally think his batting is better than his bowling.”

West Indies’ next Test match is in December against New Zealand. Chase accepted the first year of this WTC cycle has been hard on his team but hoped for better returns in 2026.

“And I think that we had a chat and this first year in the cycle, we always know it was going to be tough with opposition like Australia, India and then we go to New Zealand. But I think that once we learn from what we’ve done in those series and take it into the next year where we have guys like Sri Lanka and Pakistan, guys that we are closer to in the rankings, I think that we can be more competitive against those once we learn from these games.” (ESPNcricinfo)

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Justice Arif Bulkan, a Guyanese, will be sworn in as a Judge of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) on Thursday, October 16, 2025. The swearing-in ceremony will be held at the Office of the President, with President Dr Irfaan Ali, administering the oath.

Justice Bulkan has been appointed by the Regional Judicial and Legal Services Commission, the independent body responsible for recruiting judges and staff for the CCJ.

A distinguished legal scholar and practitioner, Justice Bulkan holds a Bachelor of Laws from The University of the West Indies, a Legal Education Certificate from the Hugh Wooding Law School, a Master of Laws from University College London, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Law from Osgoode Hall Law School, York University, Canada. Over his career, he has worked both regionally and internationally, serving in various capacities including litigator, academic, author, activist, judge, and international law expert.

Admitted to the Bar in Guyana in 1990, Justice Bulkan began his legal career at the Chambers of the Director of Public Prosecutions, rising to the rank of Assistant DPP. He practiced privately from 1997 to 2004 and served on the Court of Appeal of Guyana in 2018. Since May 2022, he has been a Judge of the Court of Appeal of Belize.

Justice Bulkan has also contributed to legal education and human rights. Between 2008 and 2022, he taught at the Faculty of Law of The University of the West Indies. He served as an expert member of the United Nations Human Rights Committee, including as Vice Chairperson from 2019 to 2022, and was elected in June 2023 to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, where he currently serves as Second Vice-President.

Meanwhile, from Tuesday, 14 October to Friday, 17 October 2025, Justice Winston Anderson, President of the CCJ, will visit Guyana for the swearing-in ceremony. During his visit, President Anderson will also pay courtesy calls on key national and regional figures, including President Irfaan Ali; Justice Roxane George, OR, Chancellor (Ag) of the Judiciary; Mohabir Anil Nandlall, SC, MP, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs; Dr Carla N. Barnett, OBE, Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM); and representatives of We Invest in Nationhood (WIN), APNU Parliamentary Group, and Forward Guyana Movement (FGM).

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Superintendent Shellon Daniels is reminding members of the public that reports of domestic violence can be made at any Police Station across the country, either in person or by telephone, as the Guyana Police Force (GPF) continues to strengthen its response under the Family Violence Act 2024.

Speaking on a recent episode of the ‘Police and You’ programme, Superintendent Daniels explained that once a person recognises they are being abused, it is important to make a report immediately.

“Once a person recognises they are being abused one way or the other, whether verbally, physically, economically, or physiologically, it is advisable a report is made at any police station of your choice.

“You are not inclined to go to a station you don’t feel comfortable with. I would advise you make a report at a station and if you are not satisfied with the level of attention you get… nothing prevents you from taking it… until you reach the highest hierarchy of the Guyana Police Force,” she said.

Superintendent Shellon Daniels

Superintendent Daniels further explained that persons do not have to go in person to make a report.

“You can call any police station. We have the domestic violence hotline number which is 914,” she said, adding that police are mandated to entertain reports via telephone or in person.

She noted that once a report is made, it helps to show “the cycle or the trend of the person to which you are trying to apply to secure the protection order.”

Under the Family Violence Act 2024, relatives, guardians or family members can also apply for a protection order on behalf of a victim. Daniels explained that in addition, the Police can assist victims in applying for such orders once they are given consent to do so.

After making a report, victims can visit any Magistrate’s Court to apply for a protection order with the assistance of a clerk of court.

Superintendent Daniels explained that once the forms are completed and presented to the magistrate, a date will be set for the application. Police will then help serve the order on the abuser and return proof of service to the court.

She added that if the perpetrator fails to appear in court, the magistrate may issue an interim order or proceed to hear the matter ex parte (in their absence).

Superintendent Daniels urged persons to take these matters seriously, emphasising that protection orders are powerful legal tools.

“Protection orders are instructions of authority given under the sign of a magistrate or judge and command the police to do certain things.

“I would advise you, once you secure those orders, take it to the Police Station closest to where the person resides, and the police will take evasive actions,” Daniels said.

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Following the launch of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) e-services landing permit system, aircrafts seeking permission to land in Guyana can now do so digitally. The digitisation of aviation services marks a major leap forward in how public services are delivered, according to Minister of Public Utilities and Aviation, Deodat Indar.

Speaking at the launch of the new system on Monday, the minister said it is another important step in transforming how services are accessed.

“Folks outside don’t care much. They just want stuff to be done easy.

“Everything is already digitised, and they’re accustomed to the digitised environment, and they come to Guyana, hand in printed paper. It already puts a shock into the system,” the minister said.

Minister of Public Utilities and Aviation, Deodat Indar during his remarks at the launch on Monday. (Photo: Hon. Deodat Indar, Minister and MP)

The project, managed by the National Data Management Authority (NDMA), includes the digitisation of more than 1,600 aviation records that were previously paper based.

Now access for landing permits is made easier through the e-service website with over 500 landing permit applications received yearly. 

A key upgrade is the introduction of an online drone application system, which has received over 200 applications nationwide, including from regions like Berbice, Essequibo, and Linden.

Attendees at the launch of this system. (Photo: Hon. Deodat Indar, Minister and MP)

The platform is designed to offer fast, secure access without the need for in-person visits.

“The rest of the services will creep in. So the drones permit and the other permits that you need will have this, this will also have to deal with medical evacuation and so on, which is something that you need fast turnaround time, not 24 hours,” Minister Indar said.

Currently the system has a 24-hour turnaround time for approvals but Indar said this will have to be reduced. This system will also be implemented at all sectors as part of the national plan to digitise public services.

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Guyana is producing about 740,000 barrels of oil per day from four projects in the giant Stabroek Block offshore, ExxonMobil Guyana President Alistair Routledge said on Monday.

The four projects offshore are: Liza I, Liza II, Payara, and Yellowtail.

Production at Yellowtail, the newest venture, started in August, around four months ahead of schedule. The ONE GUYANA floating production storage and offloading vessel is being used here. Once production goes up to full capacity, Guyana’s total output should be around 900,000 barrels of oil daily.

“We’re already producing over 740,000 barrels a day in September, well on the way to the pathway of 900,000 barrels of oil that we anticipate we will be producing by the end of this year,” Routledge told reporters on Monday morning.

The ONE GUYANA is the largest FPSO on the Stabroek block to date, with an initial annual average production of 250,000 barrels of oil daily and a storage capacity of two million barrels. Oil produced from the FPSO will be marketed as Golden Arrowhead crude.

By 2030, ExxonMobil Guyana expects to have a total production capacity of 1.7 million oil equivalent barrels per day from eight developments.

On Monday, Routledge said oil production at project five, Uaru, and project six, Whiptail, should start in 2026 and 2027, respectively.

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Young girls from across Guyana were celebrated at a special event held to mark International Day of the Girl Child at the Umana Yana on Monday.

The event, hosted by the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, focused on empowering girls to access opportunities, overcome challenges, and lead in their communities. The event featured successful and influential Guyanese women who engaged directly with the girls about their own struggles to get where they are today.

Among them were Kathy Smith, the first female President of the GCCI; attornery Pauline Chase; environmentalist Annette Arjoon; Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag) Yonette Edwards; Olympian Chelsea Edghill; and environmental economist Pradeepa Bholanauth.

The event featured successful and influential Guyanese women who engaged directly with the girls about their own struggles to get where they are today. (Photo: News Room/October 13, 2025)

At the end of a short mentorship activity, the women leaders were asked to become permanent mentors to the girls. The girls, in turn, got the opportunity to ask questions and share their personal struggles and challenges.

Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, explained that while girls continue to face challenges, she highlighted that more girls are completing school and making their mark in both the public and private sectors.

“As girls you come from various places in our country, you come from many backgrounds and so your experiences, your exposure would have shaped the girl that you are today. And, we are trying in our own way to be able to have some input in the woman you will be tomorrow while ensuring the girl you are today, you will understand that there is support for everything that you want to do and all that you can be,” Minister Persaud stated.

The event featured successful and influential Guyanese women who engaged directly with the girls about their own struggles to get where they are today. (Photo: News Room/October 13, 2025)

In her address, Pradeepa Bholanauth focused on the impact of the climate crisis on girls. She highlighted that across Guyana, girls are stepping up as climate advocates through youth networks, environmental clubs, and school initiatives, proving that leadership is defined not by age or title, but by purpose.

“Together and alone we are strong, we are strong individually and we are strong as a collective and that is really a powerful statement because today girls face so many barriers in our everyday lives, in our work, in society and we have to work very hard breaking those barriers, reshaping our communities, leading movements of justice, science, sustainability as we chart the path to our development and nowhere is that leadership more needed, more visible than on the frontline of the climate crisis,” Bholanauth said.

The event featured successful and influential Guyanese women who engaged directly with the girls about their own struggles to get where they are today. (Photo: News Room/October 13, 2025)

And, so she urged those present to commit to action and not just words.

“The story of climate change is not only about the planet we are losing, it is about the people we are becoming. It is about the girl child – courageous, curious, and creative.”

While the event focused on empowering girls to access opportunities and overcome challenges, it also featured sport, dance, and yoga sessions.

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