The Guyana government says that within the next 12 months it will begin transporting fresh produce directly from the interior to Caribbean Community (CARICOM) states.
President Irfaan Ali says the initiative is set to revolutionise regional trade, expand hinterland agriculture, and open a new export market for Guyanese farmers.
Speaking at the sod-turning ceremony for the new airport terminal at the Bartica aerodrome, President Ali said that the initiative forms part of a wider national strategy to strengthen food security, ease transportation challenges, and position Guyana as a major supplier of fresh foods within the Caribbean.
He said improved air connectivity will significantly cut transport time from farm to export point, enabling farmers and producers in Region Seven and neighbouring regions to access new regional markets.
President Ali said the government is working closely with air operators and regulatory agencies to establish the logistical framework needed for the seamless movement of agricultural produce from the hinterland to CARICOM destinations.
“Within 12 months, we will fly food out from the interior, directly into CARICOM countries,” he said, adding that this will open new income streams for mining communities that are now expanding into agriculture and agro-processing.
President Ali said this export push aligns with the regional objective to reduce CARICOM’s food import bill by 25 per cent, and gives farmers across Guyana the chance to scale production and value-added processing while earning higher returns.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring that development is not confined to the coast but is shared across every region.
“This will ensure that hinterland producers participate fully in the national and regional economy. We are creating opportunities where people live,” President Ali said.
Meanwhile, Ali described the sod turning for the new BK airport terminal on Sunday in Bartica as a transformative milestone for Region Seven and another major step in advancing national connectivity, tourism and economic diversification.
He said the project reflects “the continuous reinvestment of local wealth back into national development”, lauding the BK Group for consistently expanding its footprint and creating new opportunities across Guyana.
He said that Bartica is undergoing rapid change in line with the government’s wider development strategy, noting that the new terminal will become a critical link in opening up the region by air, expanding tourism offerings, lowering transport costs and improving services for communities and businesses.
He said the new terminal is expected to cut travel time and significantly reduce operational expenses for interior operators, while creating the space for innovations such as drone logistics, medevac support, and direct export of food products from the interior into CARICOM markets.
“In simple terms, when places are easier to reach, they become easier to grow,” he said, adding “there is no way the aviation sector cannot, at this time, reduce air transport costs by at least 15 per cent”. (CMC)
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