UK-Guyana economic and trade relations

Guyana has emerged as the United Kingdom’s largest trading partner within the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), fueled by rapid economic expansion in oil, gas, agriculture, mining, and finance. In 2025, Guyana’s total exports reached US$24.3 billion, with mineral fuels accounting for 75.5% of that value.

To support further development, Guyanese Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh has encouraged local businesses to utilize a £3 billion financing support facility provided by UK Export Finance (UKEF). While UKEF officials clarified that the funding is intended for the non-oil sector to align with British fossil fuel policies, companies within the wider oil and gas supply chain may use the support to procure products. Priority sectors for this financing include renewable energy, healthcare, agriculture, and transport infrastructure.

By September 2026, trade between Guyana and the United Kingdom reached record levels, exceeding £2.2 billion. British High Commissioner Joseph Fisher noted that Guyana represents nearly 44 percent of the UK’s total trade with the Commonwealth Caribbean.

In addition to trade, Guyana is seeing significant growth in tourism, recording over 271,000 visitor arrivals in the first seven months of 2026. The government has set a target of 500,000 arrivals for the full year, driving demand in accommodation, domestic aviation, transport, and food services. Dr. Ashni Singh further highlighted that private sector credit in Guyana has more than doubled since December 2020, reflecting expansion across the agriculture, mining, manufacturing, and services sectors.