Includes steps involved in establishing a local office.
Last Published: 7/8/2019

Setting up an office in Guyana continues to be a cumbersome process.  The Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest) bills itself as a "one-stop shop" that provides information on requirements and special incentives for certain sectors; however, gaps still exist.  The World Bank reports in its “Doing Business in Guyana 2019” guide that entrepreneurs interested in starting a business in Guyana can expect a seven-step process requiring an average of 18 days to complete.  Companies planning to register property can expect a six-step process that can take an average of 45 days to complete.  

Guyanese law generally treats foreign companies the same as domestic companies.  Specific requirements to register a business depend on whether the enterprise will be a sole proprietorship, partnership, or an incorporated company.  Business registration is the responsibility of the Deeds Registry in Georgetown.

The Business Names (Registration) Act and the Partnership Act provide the regulatory framework for sole proprietorships, partnerships, and companies.  The Companies Act (9/91) governs the registration of an incorporated business.  Though three different acts address the different business types, the government office for business registration of any kind is the Deeds Registry in Georgetown.

The process for incorporating a business is relatively straightforward and takes, on average, approximately eight days.  Already-incorporated or foreign firms may wish to engage a competent local lawyer to facilitate the process and save time.  Registering a foreign company requires additional steps.  Click here for the information and documents required to incorporate and to register a foreign or “external” company in Guyana, as well as the needed fees.

Businesses establishing locally-managed operations should be careful to develop redundant accountability systems and select management staff with care.  The bulk of Guyana’s existing labor force comprises unskilled or semi-skilled workers with a shortage of craftsman-level skilled workers and a scarcity of specialty workers.  Businesses should plan to provide significant training, as personnel experienced in American-style business operations are scarce.  Although labor costs remain quite low in Guyana, high rates of emigration, particularly of highly-qualified and educated Guyanese, may encourage employers to consider paying above the prevailing minimum wage in order to secure qualified staff and avoid high rates of employee turnover and absenteeism.  

Guyana experiences a fairly high incidence of property crime, particularly in Georgetown.  U.S. businesses planning to establish a presence in Guyana should plan for adequate investments in physical security at all business and residential facilities.  Local security contractors are readily available but are of uneven quality.  U.S. businesses and investors are advised to consult a local attorney before conducting any business in Guyana.

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