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Regional food giant, Grace Kennedy has been invited to establish a manufacturing presence in Guyana by Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh.

The Finance Minister speaking during the fourth Jamaican export and investment mission to Guyana, acknowledged the company’s strong global brand amid Guyana’s growing agro-processing potential.

“Grace Kennedy has a huge global footprint, you go into mainstream supermarkets in the US and you see Grace Kennedy products on the shelves.

“We would be delighted for you to come to Guyana to set up a manufacturing presence in Guyana,” an enthusiastic Dr. Singh said in response a representative from the company who inquired about the potential investment in Guyana.

Highlighting Guyana’s agricultural potential, the Finance Minister stated that the country is well-positioned to supply produce such as coconuts to Grace Kennedy products.

“We have a huge coconut industry.

“The truth is, Grace Kennedy coconut water should have in the fine print – Product of Guyana. Your coconuts shouldn’t come from Thailand, your coconuts should come from Guyana,” the minister said.

He went on highlight Guyana’s agro-processing potential with an abundance of fruits and vegetables now been cultivated here. Singh said these products can easily be transformed into value-added goods under the Grace Kennedy brand.

“Agro-processing is extremely important, all those crops we grow could easily be packaged and branded as Grace products,” Singh said.

The minister made it abundantly clear that the government is open to partner with Grace Kennedy.

However, should Grace Kennedy opt to invest directly or to license a local manufacturer, he said, Guyana is ready to support.

“It can be a Guyanese manufacturer, and you work out with them your standards, branding and labelling, that is also a possibility.”

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Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh is encouraging Guyana’s banking sector to step beyond its traditionally conservative lending practices and support the country’s private sector by embracing other forms of collateral.

Speaking during the second day of a Jamaican export and investment mission to Guyana, Dr. Singh addressed concerns raised about banks requiring only land or other fixed assets as collateral for loans.

“The banking sector has historically been conservative, I am choosing my words carefully, erring on the side of risk aversion which is not necessarily a bad thing because we want strong banks and strong balance sheets and we want them to maintain good quality portfolios.

“But there is room, I believe, for the banking sector to be more aggressive I believe, in relation to lending to the Guyanese private sector,” Dr Singh stated.

He further revealed that conversations are also ongoing on what the banks can do and what is needed from the government to enable them to be more aggressive.

According to Dr Singh, the government has already taken policy steps to facilitate change in the banking sector like enacting legislation that allows movable collateral to be used as security for loans. This means that assets such as equipment, inventory, and even vehicles can now be legally pledged to access financing.

“We are working with the sector as well to enable them to accept more financial assets like receivables that can be pledged, invoices that can be discounted which is standard technology in more sophisticated banking systems, and some banks are doing this,” Dr. Singh said.

He added, “We want to see more take up of this so the legal framework is in place, the banks now need to respond to that framework, legally and regulatory framework and step out a little bit from their historic comfort zone which is almost risk free lending, lending secure banking.”

Highlighting Guyana’s rapid economic transformation, Singh said the government is also working with banks to improve the ease with which businesses can assess financing.

He further stated with the country’s push to build a more diversified and resilient non-oil economy, improving access to credit will enable the private sector to scale up.

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The Guyana Amazon Warriors (GAW) have officially unveiled their 15-man squad as they prepare to defend their fortress at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence in the highly anticipated ExxonMobil Global Super League (GSL) 2025.

With a squad rich in international experience and a blend of explosive youth and proven veterans, the Warriors are poised for a thrilling campaign.

Manager of the Guyana Amazon Warriors Leon Johnson unveiled the trophy at the launch ceremony on June 13, 2025 (Photo: News Room/Kirth Cadogan)

Following a strong third-place finish in the inaugural 2024 season, the Warriors have made a few key adjustments while maintaining a solid core led by marquee names such as Imran Tahir, Moeen Ali, Romario Shepherd and Gudakesh Motie.

New additions to the squad include rising wicketkeeper-batters Jewel Andrew and Amir Jangoo, along with seasoned top-order powerhouses Johnson Charles and Evin Lewis.

Left-arm spin maestro Akeal Hossein brings additional firepower to the bowling unit.

Also joining the squad are Rahmanullah Gurbaz, returning to the Warriors set-up after successful Caribbean Premier League (CPL) stints, Irish pacer Mark Adair, and Pakistani all-rounder Saud Shakeel, offering versatility and depth.

The Warriors will be without key players Shai Hope, Kevlon Anderson and Roston Chase, who are on West Indies Test duty. Keemo Paul is sidelined due to injury.

The 2025 GSL season kicks off in grand style with debutants Central Stags (New Zealand) and Hobart Hurricanes XI (Australia) battling it out in a day game followed by the Guyana Amazon Warriors facing off against defending champions Rangpur Riders of Bangladesh in the night fixture on the same day at Providence.

Also competing are Dubai Capitals, the reigning champions of the International League T20.

GUYANA AMAZON WARRIORS SQUAD: Imran Tahir, Evin Lewis, Johnson Charles, Moeen Ali, Shimron Hetmyer, Saud Shakeel, Romario Shepherd, Dwain Pretorius, Gudakesh Motie, Akeal Hosein, Ramanullah Gurbaz, Mark Adair, Jewel Andrew, Shamar Springer, Amir Jangoo (GSLT20)

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Raul Binand was remanded to prison on Friday after the Customs Anti Narcotic Unit (CANU) found 21.972 kilogrammes (or about 48.4 pounds) of cocaine in a car along David Street, Kitty on Wednesday.

In a release, CANU said Binand appeared before Magistrate Annette Singh at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court. He pleaded not guilty to the offence of possession of cocaine for trafficking. Bail was refused, and he was remanded to prison until July 11, 2025.

CANU said the motorcar was intercepted on Wednesday. When searched, several parcels containing a “whitish powdery substance suspected to be cocaine” were found.

It was noted that the suspects were arrested and taken to CANU Headquarters afterwards. Investigations are said to be ongoing.

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Georgetown, Guyana. June 13, 2025 – LNDCH4 Guyana is pleased to announce the arrival of the Backup Battery Storage System (BESS), which landed at the John Fernandes wharf today. The BESS forms a critical part of the power plant’s emergency support system and is engineered to ensure uninterrupted energy delivery in the event of turbine failure. 

The inclusion of this advanced battery system reinforces LNDCH4’s commitment to delivering a reliable power solution for Guyana. With a total capacity of 30 megawatts (MW), the system was shipped in twenty-two (22) containers which comprises of battery racks, six (6) inverters, auxiliary transformers and a fully integrated Power Distribution Center (PDC) shelter. It also includes an Energy Management System (EMS), Battery Management System (BMS), Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS), Fire suppression system and HVAC units to ensure optimal performance and safety under all conditions. 

One of the twenty-two containers being offloaded from the vessel

Designed to respond instantaneously, the BESS provides critical backup power to protect the integrity of the electrical grid and maintain operational stability in unexpected scenarios. This latest delivery joins the growing list of critical components already received for the project, including two state-of-the-art gas turbines, each capable of generating 45 MW of electricity. 

The arrival of the BESS marks significant progress of the Gas-to-Energy (GtE) progress and highlights LNDCH4’s commitment to Guyana. Country manager Humberto Lopez stated “This shipment demonstrates our continued commitment to the highest standard of operational excellence.” 

As a key component of Guyana’s landmark Gas-to-Energy (GtE) initiative, the BESS will enhance the project’s efficiency and reliability; helping to stabilize the national grid, reduce carbon emissions and support the delivery of affordable electricity to homes and businesses across the country. 

LNDCH4 continues to meet international standards in quality, health, safety, environment and innovation. With our team working on-site around the clock, focused on meeting international quality standards and the arrival of the BESS, the project moves one step closer to completion, ensuring Guyana’s transition to a more modern, energy-secure future (LNDCH4 press release)

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A 25-year-old man has been remanded to prison following serious charges of domestic violence, wounding, and other offences.

Karran Sukhan of #2 Village, East Canje Berbice, appeared at the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Michelle Mathias.

During the court proceedings, Sukhan pled guilty to charges of Assault Causing Bodily Harm, Threatening Language, and Threatening Behavior against 20-year-old Joanna, which occurred on June 6th.

These charges were invoked under Section 141 (a) and Section 30 (a) of the Summary Jurisdiction (Offenses) Act, Chapter 8:02.

Man accused of abusing partner in Reg. 6 arrested

Magistrate Mathias took a firm stance and remanded Sukhan to prison, where he will remain until his next court appearance on June 23rd.

On Thursday, Joanna took a powerful step by sharing her experience of the abuse she suffered in their six-year relationship on Facebook, seeking urgent assistance.

In an emotional and detailed Facebook post, Joanna, who recently fled the abusive household with her two children, recounted the evolution of her relationship with Sukhan — from romance in 2018 to repeated brutality by 2019.

Despite filing five separate reports with the police, Joanna said she was met with indifference and ridicule. One officer at the New Amsterdam Police Station, she claimed, went as far as to blame her for staying.

Region Six Police Commander Shivpersaud Bacchus has since assured the public that disciplinary actions will be taken against the officer in question and that every effort is being made to apprehend Sukhan.

Following her post, action was taken, and Sukhan was arrested and now faces the consequences of his actions.

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The Centre for Local Business Development (CLBD) wrapped up its 2025 ElevateAll Programme, focused on tourism and hospitality, on Friday, with a Demo Day graduation event.

The event, held at CLBD’s office in Georgetown, marked the end of four months of intensive training, mentorship, and business development support divided into two phases. The programme was co-facilitated by Programme Leads Nicola Panday and Ron Glasglow, and Programme Coordinator Cecil Maxwell.

Addressing attendees at the graduation, Programme Lead Panday explained, “The ElevateAll Programme is for a specific niche of business in Guyana. This year, we chose the tourism and hospitality industry given the growing need for tourism in Guyana, all of the investments towards it, and most importantly, this is one of the sectors that literally touches every single region in Guyana.”

Panday also provided an overview of the programme, explaining the work done during the two phases and their sessions.

Phase One kicked off with an engaging two-day boot camp, where participants took part in peer- and mentor-led sessions, developed business models, refined their pitching skills, and explored growth strategies.

This led into Phase Two – a 12-week programme offering personalised mentoring, weekly business progression sessions covering topics like marketing, market sizing, pitch development, impact measurement, OHSSE, project management, and more.

Panday noted, “During this programme, we have had the pleasure of getting to know them a little bit more intimately, as individuals, as entrepreneurs, as senior persons in their business.”

She praised the entrepreneurs that participated for their willingness and persistence despite experiencing personal and professional turmoil.

Providing a participant testimonial was Romain Persaud, Managing Director of Eco Destinations Guyana.

“They continued to share tools that shifted our perspective on how we operate as (a) business and helped me to recognise how I can add value towards growing my business.”

Persaud expressed gratitude to the funders and CLBD team stating, “For your attention, your time, and most importantly, the knowledge that they would’ve shared with us for free… that was most impactful.”

He also encouraged fellow entrepreneurs to “continue to grow in the entities that (they) lead.”

President of the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana, Dee George also addressed the entrepreneurs.

“The programme that you would’ve embarked on, it’s more than just adding to your business venture.

“It’s more like adding to the experiences that will unfold.”

Dee George, President of the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (Photo: News Room)

“…we’re assuming, that you had that entrepreneur gift already, and what this programme does for you is to just build on it, bring out your passions, bring out your already embedded gifts and to see how best we can upscale and give you added confidence as you go forward.”

Kathy Smith, President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry, commended the graduating entrepreneurs and gave extensive advice on matters surrounding business, with a focus on business in Guyana.

Kathy Smith, President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Photo: News Room)

“As soon as you go through that door, you are faced with the challenges. But the challenges (are) not for you anymore. This is your country, one of the few (countries) that is going to be the (richest) in the world.

“And if you want to ensure that you’re part of business you have to understand business. And as a private sector president I want to ensure that you do that.”

She further emphasised the importance of building a system to guarantee credibility and trust.

The ElevateAll Programme was supported by the Greater Guyana Initiative, funded by ExxonMobil Guyana, Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd., and CNOOC Petroleum Limited Guyana.

Yogeeta Singh, Local Content Supervisor from ExxonMobil Guyana

Local Content Supervisor from ExxonMobil Guyana, Yogeeta Singh relayed, “At ExxonMobil… we are truly inspired by the way each of you embrace the learning journey. Sharing your experiences, building your expertise, and already planning on how to apply your knowledge you’ve acquired over the few weeks you’ve been here… that’s really remarkable.

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AFC leader Nigel Hughes on Friday pointed to a new transport system spanning from Mahaica to Durban Park and Diamond as part of the party’s infrastructure proposals ahead of the 2025 elections.

Mr. Hughes outlined the party’s infrastructure plans for each administrative region at a party press conference on Friday.

A huge focus, he said, will be the development of new roads, stellings and hubs to support agricultural activity and other economic ventures. Mr. Hughes spoke of the party’s embrace of the 25 by 2025 goal, which is a CARICOM goal crafted by President Irfaan Ali that aims to slash costly food imports by 25% by 2025.

However, Region Four could undergo a transport transformation, he said.
“An urban transport centre will be established at Durban Park, similar to what is in Jamaica,” Hughes said.

He explained that this system will include a light rail and rapid bus transportation system from Diamond to Durban Park, and Mahaica to Durban Park. Mr. Hughes said this venture will be part of “major transportation reforms” in the region.

The AFC leader also said the party wants to establish a deepwater port at Clonbrook, Region Five, while Region Seven will be a hub for hydropower and renewable energy solutions.

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(BBC) The British man who was the sole survivor of Thursday’s Air India plane crash said he managed to escape the wreckage through an opening in the fuselage.

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(Reuters) – Israel launched large-scale strikes against Iran on Friday, saying it had attacked nuclear facilities and missile factories and killed a swathe of military commanders in what could be a prolonged operation to prevent Tehran from building an atomic weapon.

U.S. President Donald Trump suggested that Iran had brought the attack on itself by resisting U.S. demands in talks to restrict its nuclear programme, and urged it to make a deal, “with the next already planned attacks being even more brutal”.

Washington said it had no part in the operation, however.

Iran promised a harsh response to a barrage that killed the heads of both its armed forces and the powerful Revolutionary Guards, and Israel said it was trying to intercept about 100 drones launched towards Israeli territory in retaliation.

But around 0800 GMT, Israeli media said an order to citizens to remain near protected areas had been lifted, suggesting that most or all of the drones had been neutralised.

The price of crude leapt around 9% on fears of wider retaliatory attacks across a major oil-producing region.

An Israeli security source said Mossad commandos had been operating deep inside the Islamic Republic before the attack and the Israeli spy agency and military had mounted a series of covert operations against Iran’s strategic missile array.

Israel also established an attack-drone base near Tehran, the source added. The military said it had carried out a large-scale strike against Iran’s air defences, destroying “dozens of radars and surface-to-air missile launchers”.

Iranian media and witnesses reported explosions, including some at the main uranium enrichment facility at Natanz. Iran’s Atomic Energy Organisation said Natanz had sustained damage but no casualties had been reported.

Iran said several top commanders and six nuclear scientists had been killed, including the armed forces chief of staff, Major General Mohammad Bagheri, and Revolutionary Guards chief Hossein Salami. Two sources in the region said at least 20 senior commanders were dead, including the head of the Revolutionary Guards aerospace force.

An Israeli military official said the strikes had achieved a great deal but assessments were continuing and Israel was prepared to keep the operation going for days. Among the targets were ballistic missiles pointed towards Israel, they added.

“We are at a decisive moment in Israel’s history,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a recorded video message.

Just before 6 a.m. Washington time, Trump posted on his Truth Social platform.

“I gave Iran chance after chance to make a deal,” he said.

“There has already been great death and destruction, but there is still time to make this slaughter, with the next already planned attacks being even more brutal, come to an end. Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left…”

ISRAEL’S ENEMIES IN LEBANON AND GAZA WEAKENED

At one time, Israel might have expected a wave of retaliation from Iranian-backed militias around the region.

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in a statement that Israel had “unleashed its wicked and bloody” hand in a crime against Iran and that it would receive “a bitter fate for itself”.

But since the war in Gaza erupted in October 2023, Israel has severely weakened Iran’s allies, notably by assassinating the top leaders of the Palestinian militant group Hamas and Lebanon’s Hezbollah and attacking the Houthis who control much of Yemen.

Some 200 Israeli fighter jets took part in the strikes, hitting more than 100 targets in Iran, military spokesman Brigadier General Effie Defrin said. Iran’s Fars news agency reported a strike near the northwestern city of Tabriz.

The International Atomic Energy Agency said there was no increase in radiation levels at the Natanz nuclear site, citing information provided by Iranian authorities.

Airlines quit the airspace over Israel, Iran, Iraq and Jordan after the Israeli strikes, Flightradar24 data showed, with carriers diverting or cancelling flights.

Israeli airlines El Al, Israir and Arkia said they were moving their planes out of Israel and Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport was shut.

Dubai-based Emirates cancelled flights to and from Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Iran as Iran closed its airspace.

The global crude oil benchmark Brent blend was up almost 9% at $75.37 at 1000 GMT.

The National Iranian Oil Refining and Distribution Company said oil refining and storage facilities had not been damaged and continued to operate.

Israeli military Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir said tens of thousands of soldiers had been called up and “prepared across all borders”.

Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi joined global calls for de-escalation and accused Israel of violating international law.

“At an extremely critical time when the U.S. was negotiating a nuclear deal with Iran that would save the whole region and the world, a new vicious escalation,” he said on X.

U.S. officials have repeatedly said any new deal – to replace a 2015 accord between Tehran and six world powers from which Trump withdrew – must include a commitment to scrap uranium enrichment, a prerequisite for developing nuclear bombs.

NUCLEAR TALKS WITH IRAN DUE ON SUNDAY

The Islamic Republic insists it wants nuclear energy only for civilian purposes.

But the IAEA’s Board of Governors on Thursday declared Iran in breach of its non-proliferation obligations for the first time in almost 20 years.
Iran is a signatory to the global nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Israel is not, and is believed to have the Middle East’s sole nuclear arsenal.

Iran said in a statement that Israel’s “cowardly” attack showed why Iran had to insist on enrichment, nuclear technology and missile power.
Iranian citizens reacted to the strikes with anger and fear.

Some opponents of the ruling clerics expressed hope that Israel’s attack might lead to their downfall, though one Tehran resident who was not a supporter of clerical rule said Iran must retaliate.

“We can’t afford not to respond. Either we surrender and they take our missiles, or we fire them. There’s no other option — and if we don’t, we’ll end up surrendering them anyway.”

The Israeli military said it had been forced to act by new intelligence information showing that Iran was “approaching the point of no return” in the development of a nuclear weapon.

But a source familiar with U.S. intelligence reports said there had been no recent change in the U.S. assessment that Iran was not building a nuclear weapon and that Khamenei had not authorised a resumption of the nuclear weapons programme that was shut in 2003.

Trump was convening the National Security Council on Friday morning, the White House said. He had said on Thursday that an Israeli strike on Iran “could very well happen” but reiterated his hopes for a peaceful resolution.

Iran’s armed forces spokesperson accused Washington of providing support for the operation.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the U.S. had not been involved in the strikes and Israel had acted unilaterally in self-defence.

U.S. and Iranian officials are scheduled to hold a sixth round of talks on Tehran’s escalating uranium enrichment programme in Oman on Sunday.

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