Natural Resources Minister, Vickram Bharrat believes the Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo, billed for the Marriott Hotel from February 19-22 under the theme “Fuelling transformation and modernization”, is well on its way to becoming the premier event of this hemisphere.

During a press conference on Monday at the Marriott Hotel, Minister Bharrat was part of a panel that shared insights into the importance of the event and how preparations are coming along. Minister Bharrat said government is pleased to lend its support to the event, noting that it provides opportunities for strategic partnerships. He said this aligns perfectly with the administration’s push for Guyanese to be in the driver’s seat of the nation’s developmental renaissance.

“…Since taking office in August 2020, we have emphasized the need to create more opportunities for Guyanese and their businesses. As a new oil-producing country, we took a significant step towards enacting the Local Content legislation. This move is substantial, considering that many countries, some with decades or even centuries of production experience, are still at the policy stage without concrete legislation,” the minister said.

With the establishment of Guyana’s Local Content Secretariat, Bharrat said the country has been able to ensure compliance with the new law while trapping millions of dollars in country. This news agency recently reported that since January 2022 to present, contractors, sub-contractors and licensees reporting to the Local Content Secretariat have recorded 3,938 local hires, of which 785 were made within the first six months of 2023. Of the total, 824 Guyanese were employed as plant and machine operators, 1,203 as professionals (accountants, lawyers, engineers, etc.), and another 485 as technicians.

Also in keeping with the Act, annual plans received from contractors, subcontractors and licensees, amount to an estimated US$721 million in procurement of goods and services and training. This is US$21M above the 2022 performance, which covered 40 categories of services. Current estimates suggest that US$518 million will be procured from Guyanese suppliers providing goods and services in 2023.

Minister Bharrat said, “While the implementation of the Local Content Law has allowed us to foster numerous joint ventures and partnerships and trap significant value in country…the Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo will build on this.”

Guyana’s Chief Investment Officer at the Guyana Office for Investment (Go-Invest), Dr. Peter Ramsaroop also noted the importance of the conference in showcasing the numerous opportunities that are available for partnership in the oil and non-oil sectors. “From the theme of the conference alone and given its expanded focus of a supply chain expo, it is clear that we are a regional powerhouse with much to offer,” the Chief Investment Officer said. In this regard, he believes that Guyana is already demonstrating to the rest of the world that it is intent on being a model state by using its oil resources to fuel growth in agriculture and manufacturing with the onset of the gas-to-energy project.

Head of the Private Sector Commission, Komal Singh was also part of the six member panel. He noted that the PSC is excited to be a partner with the conference. As Guyana’s oil sector developments continue on an accelerated pathway, Singh underscored the need for the build out of a robust logistics hub. “We need to springboard to that because it will be key to supporting the gas-to-energy project when it comes on stream,” he said.

As for Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo, Kurt Baboolall, he said there are 30 sponsors onboard inclusive of ExxonMobil, Hess, CNOOC, GTT Logistics, Blue Waters, and Digicel. He said too that there are 200 exhibitors, with eight spots remaining. Baboolall also noted that there is guaranteed participation from over 21 countries along with representation from 19 sectors.

Guyana Standard understands that the agenda of the conference boasts over 66 distinguished speakers, including numerous world leaders who have confirmed their participation. These notable figures include Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani; Suriname’s President, Chandrikapersad Santokhi; Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister, Keith Rowley; and The Bahamas’ Prime Minister, Phillip Davis.

Representing Guyana will be President, Dr. Irfaan Ali; Vice-President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo; Natural Resources Minister, Vickram Bharrat; Senior Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh; and Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips.

Pulitzer prize-winning author and renowned energy and economic expert, Daniel Yergin, will also be attending.

The conference also promises a series of thought-provoking panel discussions alongside enlightening presentations from oil companies and a special segment dedicated to youth engagement.

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Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, the Prime Minister of Qatar, is confirmed among the growing list of dignitaries and world leaders to attend and make presentations at the region’s largest energy conference and expo in Georgetown, Guyana next month.  

The Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo returns for its third installment from February 19 – 22, 2024 with an impressive lineup of industry experts, policymakers and foreign officials who will offer insights as keynote speakers and through their participation in several panel discussions.  

The inclusion of the Prime Minister of Qatar as a featured speaker reflects the commitment of both nations to foster international partnerships and share expertise in the crucial field of energy. 

Anthony Whyte, Chairman of the Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo said, “We are honoured to welcome the distinguished Prime Minister of Qatar as a featured speaker. His presence underscores the global significance of our event, highlighting the shared commitment to advancing sustainable energy solutions and fostering international collaboration in the ever-evolving energy landscape.” 

Sheikh Mohammed previously served as the country’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs since 2017 and 2016 to 2023, respectively, and Chairman of the Qatar Investment Authority from 2018 to 2023, where he provided leadership to the QIA Board of Directors and ensured QIA’s sound governance framework through accountability and sound decision-making. 

Additionally, as the Chairman of Qatar Fund For Development (QFFD), Sheikh Mohammed directs the fund’s operations and the expansion of its activities to reach more than 70 countries around the world, notably in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. 

Sheikh Mohammed brings a wealth of experience and leadership in finance, investment, development and accountability. His participation highlights the international significance of the Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo as a platform for fostering collaboration and sharing best practices.  

Sheikh Mohammed was notably praised for his recent meeting with CIA Director William J. Burns and head of Mossad David Barnea in Qatar where they reached an extension of the ceasefire by two days and exchange of more than 100 Israeli hostages for 240 Palestinian prisoners in the 2023 Israel–Hamas war. 

He will be joined by other world leaders, including the President of Guyana, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali; the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Dr Keith Rowley; the Prime Minister of The Bahamas, Philip Davis; the Minister of Industry, Energy, and Technology of Newfoundland, Canada, Andrew Parsons along with several others to be announced at a later date.  

To be held at the Marriott Hotel in Georgetown, Guyana, the conference is a premier gathering of industry leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders committed to shaping the future of energy and supply chain sectors. 

The Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo is poised to be a landmark event, facilitating discussions that will shape the trajectory of the energy sector in Guyana and beyond. The participation of the Prime Minister of Qatar adds a significant international dimension to the conference, highlighting the global importance of sustainable energy practices. 

About Sheikh Mohammed: 

Sheikh Mohammed was born and raised in Doha, Qatar. He is part of the Qatari royal family as a member of the House of Thani. He holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and business administration from the College of Business and Economics at Qatar University (2003). 

On March 07, 2023, in a cabinet reshuffle, through Amiri Decree, he was appointed as the Prime Minister of Qatar. 

Sheikh Mohammed’s priorities as Prime Minister include advising His Highness the Amir of the State of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, on the formation of ministries in the country and assisting His Highness perform his duties and exercise his roles. Sheikh Mohammed also heads the Council of Ministers sessions, including managing discussions and supervising the coordination of work between ministries to achieve unity between governmental agencies and ensure the integration of their activities. 

Sheikh Mohammed’s responsibilities as Minister of Foreign Affairs include planning and implementing Qatar’s foreign policy, maintaining and extending the country’s strategic bilateral and multilateral relations, leading mediation efforts, and consolidating international peace and security. 

THE foremost energy conference in Guyana has been rebranded as the ‘Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo’. This year, the conference will prioritise the pursuit of transformation and modernisation.

This is according to Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo, Kurt Baboolall who, in a telephone interview, told the Guyana Chronicle that the goal this year will be to make the expo a family-oriented one set to foster learning.

Giving some background on the rebranding of the conference, Baboolall stated that in Guyana, the income from energy resources is being used to develop all other sectors across the country, and as such, it was important that this be highlighted.

In light of this, he further emphasised that the energy sector is dependent on various other sectors to ensure its efficiency and functionality. Consequently, recognising the interdependence between the energy and other sectors, the team deemed it essential to take action.

However, with this in mind, the theme for this year’s conference is, “Fuelling Transformation and Modernisation.”

“So, we have seen a lot of transformative projects starting in Guyana since we started to lift oil in 2020. So that’s one of the reasons we thought that fuelling transformation would be more aligned with what’s relevant and happening in Guyana right now,” he said.

When asked about plans for this year’s conference, he stated that the goal this year is to make the expo a family-oriented one, as energy is currently the driving force of the country’s economy.

Baboolall told this newspaper that he believes that everyone should be included, and as such, the exhibition will be built to include everyone. It was then that he noted that kids could attend the conference free of cost, once accompanied by an adult.

Added to this, he noted that the conference, which will be hosted at the Guyana Marriott Hotel from February 19th to February 22nd, 2024, will feature a new attraction: an international food court.

This food court will provide patrons with an array of food options from across the world and even indigenous dishes from Guyana.

“Persons coming to the expo, it’s diverse; we have international attendees, we have regional attendees, and we have locals. We want to be able to illustrate culture through cuisine, so that’s going to be our theme for the international food court,” Baboolall expressed.

Further to this, he noted the expo will be built so that attendees can learn about what’s happening in the sector and with players in the energy market.

He added that throughout the days of the conference and expo, those in attendance will learn about energy, the energy players, the supply chain, and even companies that provide support to the energy sector.

“We want people to leave with value in terms of learning, you must come, learn about something, the energy players, learn about where they fit in the sector,” he iterated.

In line with the commitment to education, Baboolall announced that there will be a prominent display at the conference and expo entrance, showcasing the remarkable journey of oil in Guyana.

In the context of the conference, he mentioned that the agenda includes more than 66 speakers, including several heads of state who have already confirmed their attendance.

Among these are the Prime Minister of Qatar, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani; the President of Suriname, Chandrikapersad Santokhi; the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Keith Rowley; and Prime Minister of The Bahamas, Phillip Davis, among others.

Guyana’s Head of State, President, Dr Irfaan Ali, Vice-President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, and Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips will also be in attendance.

From a global private sector perspective, the CEO added Pulitzer prize-winning author and long-time energy and economic consultant, Daniel Yergin will be in attendance.

Further to this, Baboolall encouraged those who are desirous of attending Guyana’s premier energy conference and expo to register at guyanaenergy.gy

Read more here: https://guyanachronicle.com/2024/01/18/rebranded-energy-conference-emphasises-transformation-modernisation/