By Tash Van Doimen, Rae Wiltshire & Dr. Terrence Blackman

News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Mon. Sept. 11, 2023: In an inspiring convergence of thought leaders, the recent event titled “Navigating a Changing Guyana: Pathways to Prosperity in the Era of Oil and Gas” emerged as a pivotal platform for illuminating the evolving landscape of opportunities in Guyana. Orchestrated by the Guyana Business Journal & Magazine (GBJ), the Caribbean Policy Consortium, (CPC), Guyana SPEAKS, and the Guyana UK Social Development Association (GUSDA), the dialogue unfolded at Chancellor’s Hall, Senate House, University of London. Beyond being a mere gathering, this event symbolized a potent catalyst for unlocking the promising horizons within Guyana.

Featuring a diverse range of expertise spanning the private and public sectors, the expert panelists including Mr. Carl Greenidge, Former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Advisor on Borders; Mr. Alistair Routledge, President of Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Ltd; Dr. Riyad Insanally, Former Guyanese Ambassador to the United States; Dr. Juanita Cox, Guyana SPEAKS; Dr. Rosh Khan, President – ACE Consulting Group, SocialRank Media, Masterclass Institute (Franklin Covey Guyana); Michele Small, Development Finance Professional; and Mr. Faizal Khan, Chairman, British Chamber of Commerce(BritCham) Guyana shared with the audience profound insights into the challenges and prospects inherent in Guyana’s burgeoning oil and gas sector.

The event included a comprehensive Oil and Gas Update for the UK Guyanese Diaspora, presented by Mr. Alistair Routledge, President of Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Ltd., ExxonMobil’s subsidiary company in Guyana and the operator of the Stabroek Block. His presentation offered a well-structured overview of the partnership between a major energy company and Guyana, tracing its evolution from initial explorations and first oil to the energy company’s present-day activities and future projections.

Mr. Routledge’s insights painted a vivid picture of Guyana on the cusp of remarkable transformation. Noteworthy among his disclosures was the projection that Guyana’s annual government revenue from the energy sector is poised to soar to as much as US$10 billion by 2030. He highlighted investments totaling over US$40 billion committed to date, including the groundbreaking Whiptail project, a US$13 billion endeavor set to become the most significant single investment in Guyanese history.

Mr. Routledge unveiled a vision of a strategic partnership binding the company and the people of Guyana, driven by a shared mission to generate substantial revenue and secure the nation’s progress. The necessity for this partnership between the energy company, the government, and the people of Guyana was echoed by Dr. Insanally, who opined that finding pathways to a prosperous and equitable Guyana, not just for this generation but for future generations, was central to the future of the country.

According to Mr. Routledge, one of the critical elements of this partnership has been the Center for Local Business Development (CLBD), established in 2017, which actively supports Guyanese businesses through training and industry knowledge. The energy company’s investment of over US$900 million in Guyanese businesses signifies substantial progress and a commitment to fostering local economic growth.

Mr. Routledge further underlined the necessity of continuous efforts to empower Guyanese businesses while avoiding over-reliance on one industry alone—a problem of the resource curse. With over 5,000 Guyanese workers employed, the oil industry has made large investments in retraining technicians from other sectors as a way of diversifying, enhancing, and aligning local skill sets with 21st-century market demands. Finding ways to leverage these skills across industries will be an important challenge for Guyana.

The company has committed to addressing Guyana’s long-standing, multi-generational electricity generation challenges by providing the fuel for a natural gas-fueled power generation plant that the government predicts will cut prices in half for households and businesses, while reducing pollution substantially.

EEPGL’s commitment extends beyond economic contributions to encompass social and environmental initiatives. Through the Greater Guyana Initiative, the company has invested USD 100 million in capacity building, healthcare, and community support. Collaborations with their foundation have enabled initiatives focused on marine awareness, ecosystem restoration, and educational empowerment, particularly for women.

The journey by ExxonMobil in Guyana traces back to 1999, with an agreement that laid the foundation for the discoveries made since. After years of exploration, the pivotal moment arrived in 2015. Mr. Routledge emphasized the profound impact of this discovery, highlighting the role those technological advancements played in enabling drilling at previously unreachable water depths.

This landmark discovery in the Stabroek Block propelled an ambitious development plan to reshape Guyana’s economic landscape. Challenges, from geopolitical intricacies to technological innovations, accompanied the journey from discovery to realization.

The energy company’s role characterizes this partnership as a contract operator entrusted with harnessing Guyana’s abundant resource wealth. EEPGL President Routledge highlighted the significant contributions to Guyana’s Natural Resource Fund as evidence of his company’s commitment to transparency and fair distribution of revenues.

Mr. Routledge’s presentation also addressed the importance of socio-economic and political stability in Guyana for the energy company’s investments. When emphasizing the company’s preference for politically stable destinations, there was an opportunity to reaffirm EEPGL’s commitment to the rule of law within Guyana and to speak more explicitly to evident local frustration about the pace of the impact of the energy discoveries on the lives of ordinary citizens. There was also an opportunity to address questions about focusing on a single Gas to Shore project rather than a comprehensive Guyanese Gas Master Plan, which may be a logical next step for the Government.

Mr. Carl Greenidge, Former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Advisor on Borders, added a distinct perspective to the dialogue. He engaged with the audience on the role of local businesses in the operations. Greenidge’s remarks emphasized the importance of understanding the functions and needs, particularly concerning providing services and goods.

He emphasized the opportunities for Guyanese businesses to contribute to the production process by supplying various goods and services that the energy company requires. Greenidge highlighted the significance of efficient production processes, the education of the local labor force, and the potential for businesses to package specialized skills for sale. Greenidge’s argument for building concrete pathways to connect various business community sectors to emerging opportunities must be amplified and acted upon by Guyanese policymakers.

The emerging partnership between the Guyanese people and EEPGL can exemplify the power of collaboration in shaping a promising and sustainable Guyanese future. If embraced with mutual respect by all parties, it will stand as evidence that when industry leaders align with a nation’s aspirations, the possibilities are boundless, and the impact is profound. The comprehensive range of initiatives underway will transform Guyana’s socio-economic and political landscape. Will it be a transformation that enhances the nation’s well-being and that our grandchildren will look upon with pride?

The answer to this question is entirely up to us; trite and true, tomorrow is a function of what we do together today.

Tash Van Doimen was born and raised in Georgetown, Guyana. She holds a master’s degree in development policy from the KDI School of Public Policy and Management with a double major in International and Sustainable Development. She used this opportunity to examine Guyana’s oil industry and the nexus between economic development and environmental implications. Ms. Van Doimen began her journalism career, covering hard news and featured articles. Ms. Van Doimen began her career as a Foreign Service Officer, representing Guyana on multiple forums and speaking on various issues aligned with Guyana’s Foreign Policy.

Rae Wiltshire is a storyteller and art student. His multiple playwriting awards include the 2015 National Drama Festival’s Best New Guyanese Play. His works grace The Guyana Annual. The recent Guyana Prize for Literature in Drama 2022 honored “Don’t Ask Me Why,” also shortlisted for “Adults.” Graduating with honors in literature and linguistics from the University of Guyana, his academic work informs scriptwriting, directing, and cinematography.

Dr. Terrence Richard Blackman, associate professor of mathematics and a founding member of the Undergraduate Program in Mathematics at Medgar Evers College, is a member of the Guyanese diaspora. He is a former Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Visiting Professor at MIT and a Visitor to The School of Mathematics at The Institute for Advanced Study. Dr. Blackman has previously served as Chair of the Mathematics Department and Dean of the School of Science, Health, and Technology at Medgar Evers College, where he has worked for almost thirty years. He graduated from Queen’s College, Guyana, Brooklyn College, CUNY, and the City University of New York Graduate School. He is the Founder of the Guyana Business Journal & Magazine.

News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Mon. Sept. 11, 2023: In an era of expanding e-commerce, chatbots are emerging as invaluable assets for businesses, especially Caribbean and Latin American Businesses. These AI-driven conversational agents are revolutionizing how companies interact with customers, automate tasks, and streamline operations. If you’re a small business owner contemplating the use of AI chatbots on your website, this article is your essential guide according to Hard Beat Communications.

Understanding Chatbots
Chatbots exemplify artificial intelligence (AI) technologies reshaping the business landscape. They are software applications powered by AI, capable of performing tasks traditionally handled by humans. Think of popular examples like Amazon’s Alexa, Apple’s Siri, or Facebook Messenger’s chatbot. Chatbots, including SMS and social media variants, learn from user interactions, progressively enhancing their realism and efficiency. They can tackle various business functions, from processing expense reports to identifying sales leads and engaging customers online.

Diverse Applications of Chatbots
Small businesses across industries can deploy chatbots in various operational facets. The versatility of chatbots is expanding rapidly, with applications continually emerging. Here are some common roles chatbots play in small businesses:

Sales Support: Chatbots excel at gathering prospect information, identifying qualified leads, and automating outreach. They engage customers, providing instant responses to queries and personalized recommendations.

Customer Service: Call centers frequently employ chatbots to swiftly respond to routine inquiries, freeing up customer service reps to handle more complex questions. Customizable chatbots enhance engagement, even offering competitive analysis or serving as survey conduits.

Marketing Allies: Chatbots facilitate customer interactions and upselling. They automate conversations with existing and potential customers, recommend products, share information, and seamlessly pass leads to sales and marketing teams.

Elements of Effective Chatbots
To harness the full potential of chatbots, two essential factors come into play:

Branding: Chatbots must align with your brand identity. A chatbot that fails to reflect your brand can harm your reputation and deter sales. Consistency in tone, style, and messaging is crucial to maintain a positive brand image.

Workload Reduction: Effective chatbots streamline tasks rather than adding to your team’s workload. They should handle routine inquiries, allowing your staff to focus on more complex interactions. Chatbots enhance productivity and efficiency, crucial for small businesses operating with limited resources.

Crafting Chatbot Responses
Crafting effective chatbot responses requires attention to detail and strategy:

Sales Replies: Focus on qualifying questions and gathering contact information while guiding prospects toward the appropriate sales funnel.

Customer Service Replies: Keep responses concise and clear to prevent customers from disengaging from the conversation.

Marketing and Engagement Replies: Tailor responses based on specific goals, directing users to relevant content or offering incentives for further engagement.

Survey Replies: Adapt response formats to suit the survey’s length and subject matter, ensuring optimal data collection.

Selecting the Right Chatbot Solution
As chatbots become increasingly prevalent, selecting the right solution is crucial. Consider the following when choosing a chatbot solution:

Problem-Solving Focus: Opt for chatbots designed to solve particular problems or address specific business needs, such as customer service or lead generation.

Data Savviness: Choose solutions that prioritize data transparency and explainable AI, ensuring you understand how your data is utilized.

Vendor Compatibility: Work with a vendor you trust and feel comfortable entrusting your data to, considering factors like pricing, functionality, ease of use, and support.

Functionality Assessment: Evaluate your business’s specific needs, determining whether a straightforward chatbot or a more advanced solution is required.

Chatbots have transcended futuristic concepts to become essential tools in the digital landscape. By selecting the right chatbot and crafting effective responses, small businesses can save time, enhance customer experiences, and thrive in an increasingly digital world.

By Scott B. MacDonald

News Americas, FORT LAUDERDALE, FL, Thurs. Sept. 7, 2023: The global political and economic system is in flux, driven by climate change, a transition from fossil fuels to renewables, and a new Cold War between the United States and China. Another factor creeping into this mix is the revitalization of the Global South, countries that are largely situated in the world’s southern hemisphere.  Key to the recent revival of the Global South is the re-emergence of the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) as a force in international politics and economics.  While the Global South’s return to the headlines should not be overstated, it adds to the complexity of the international system. It also benefits many countries in the Caribbean, in particular Guyana, the newly minted petro-state.

In the not-too-distant past, many countries, Guyana included, were not at the top of the list of places where large and important countries sent their top-of-the line diplomats, let alone heads of state. For Guyana it was not until 2020 that Mike Pompeo became the first U.S. Secretary of State to visit Guyana. That was then; this is now.

Guyana’s leadership is having a busy 2023, hosting and being hosted by a wide range of countries, usually to discuss energy and trade and investment opportunities. In January 2023 President Ali Ifraan visited India, which was followed in February by Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, discussing many of the same matters. In April India’s foreign minister visited Guyana. In June Ali visited Qatar, where he inaugurated a new embassy. This was followed by Ali’s attending the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR), where he met with fellow regional heads of state, including President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (a BRICS member). In the same month, Ali was visited by the Dominican Republic’s President Luis Abinader. Early July saw the Guyanese head of state traveling to Trinidad and Tobago to take part in CARICOM’s 50th anniversary, while in early August Guyanese representatives attended the meeting of the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization, held in Brazil.

Meanwhile, Guyana is not being ignored by China and the United States. In early July U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken visited Guyana, where he met with President Ali and stressed the shared priorities of strengthening democracy in the Americas, dealing with the global climate crisis and creating more inclusive economic opportunities. Following Blinken’s visit, the Guyanese leader was off to China to attend the opening ceremony of the 31st FISU World University Games. While there he met with China’s President Xi Jinping. The Chinese leader indicated that his country is willing to deepen the alignment between its Belt and Road Initiative and Guyana’s Low-Carbon Development Strategy 2030.   

Guyana’s newly prominent standing in international circles reflects what some are calling a shift from the post-Cold War age of the U.S. being the only superpower to a more multipolar world with a menu of new alliances now being offered. The Financial Times’ Alec Russell captures the essence of this: “The stand-off between Washington and Beijing, and the West’s effective abandonment of its three-decade dream that the gospel of free markets would lead to a more liberal version of the Chinese Community Party, are presenting an opportunity for much of the world: not just to be wooed but also to play one off against the other – and many are doing this with alacrity and increasing skill.” Guyana is one of those countries taking advantage of what some are calling “geostrategic entrepreneurialism”.

Guyana’s geostrategic entrepreneurialism reflects similar drivers of many countries in the Global South. These include making certain that Guyana matters in global and regional affairs (which is helped by Guyana’s prodigious oil and gas reserves); not being forced into picking a side in the new Cold War between the U.S. and China; and to strike the best economic deals that it can with the view of improving the living standards of the population, dealing with climate change challenges and more broadly diversifying its economic base and trade partners.

While the revival of the Global South idea has upsides, there are also downsides, such as the possibility that the BRICS (with expanded membership) will assume an increasingly anti-Western tone. The organization has already created the New Development Bank, which purports to be more in tune with the needs of developing countries as opposed to the IMF and World Bank. China and Russia, two of the more anti-Western countries, are central to the organization; and there is interest in doing away with the U.S. dollar as the primary international currency. At the same time, the political faces of the BRICS, except for Brazil and to some degree India are autocratic. Even the new members – with the exception of Argentina – are authoritarian. Not that Guyana is going to sign up as a member of the BRICS, but the tone of the Global South does not favor the democracy brand and is increasingly in opposition to the U.S.—Guyana’s main trade and investment partner and a key diplomatic supporter in fending off Venezuelan claims for two-thirds of the country. At the same time, two of the major external supporters of Venezuela are China and Russia.

Thus far Guyana has played its hand at geostrategic entrepreneurialism relatively well.  This has been achieved by a combination of active diplomacy that courts both China and the United States, but is giving space to other countries – India, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore and UAE – chances at investment and trade opportunities. At the same time, Guyana is gradually becoming a more important partner for other Caribbean states, including the CARICOM countries and the Dominican Republic. Oil plays a large role in this. As President Ali recently stated, “And sometimes I say that maybe what drives public following is the oil and gas sector, because since oil was discovered, we have seen a very welcome interest from the global community on Guyana.”  Geostrategic entrepreneurialism is likely to remain central to Guyana’s economic statecraft, but the backdrop of the revitalized Global South raises some challenging questions.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Dr. Scott B. MacDonald is the Chief Economist at Smith’s Research & Gradings. he is also a fellow at the Caribbean Policy Consortium and a research fellow at Global Americans. His most recent book is ‘The new Cold War, China and the Caribbean (Palgrave Macmillan,’ (2022).