Guyana’s strong economic growth offers entrepreneurs unprecedented opportunities, but also entails risks. Business coach Vishnu Doerga warns that companies must now prepare for a possible economic downturn and should not rely solely on current growth.
The economic growth in Guyana is leading to increasing demand for products and services. Nevertheless, entrepreneur and business coach Dr Vishnu Doerga warns that these favourable conditions are not necessarily permanent. According to him, companies must strengthen their organisation, financial administration and personnel policies in order to remain standing during more difficult economic conditions as well.
Doerga made his statements to the Guyanese media outlet News Room, which reported on the matter on Thursday, October 29, 2026. He notes that several businesses are struggling to keep up with increasing demand. Employees are becoming overloaded, while internal business operations are not being sufficiently adapted to the rapid expansion of activities.
According to the business coach, the danger lies mainly with entrepreneurs who focus entirely on today’s opportunities. They do not always invest sufficiently in staff, modern technology and efficient work processes. As a result, businesses may become vulnerable when demand for their products or services suddenly declines.
Guyana’s economic growth requires preparation
Thanks to the development of its oil industry, Guyana is among the rapidly growing economies in the region. According to figures released by the Guyanese government in September, gross domestic product grew by an estimated 33.3 percent in the first half of 2026. The economy outside the oil sector grew by approximately 10.1 percent during the same period.
These figures illustrate the scale of the economic expansion. Based on first-half results, the government expected economic growth of 20.8 percent for the whole of 2026. At the same time, the strong presence of oil in the economy makes it important to take international market developments and fluctuations in commodity prices into account.
Warning of a possible economic downturn
Doerga emphasises that economies heavily dependent on commodities can experience periods of growth and decline. According to him, the current economic prosperity should therefore be used to make businesses more financially and organisationally resilient.
Economic prosperity offers opportunities, but entrepreneurs must also be prepared for more difficult times.
The business coach is therefore not predicting an immediate crisis in Guyana. His warning is primarily intended to make entrepreneurs aware of the need to plan ahead. Companies that only take rising revenues into account may find themselves in financial difficulties more quickly in the event of an unexpected downturn.
Financial administration important for entrepreneurs
According to Doerga, an important point of attention is the quality of financial administration. Businesses that have insufficient insight into their income, expenses and obligations may encounter problems when they wish to apply for financing from banks or other lenders.
According to him, a sound business plan must align with the company’s actual financial situation. This means that the information in the business plan must correspond with bank statements, tax returns and other official documents. A convincing growth story is insufficient when the underlying figures are not reliable.
Investing in staff and modern technology
In addition to financial management, Doerga emphasises the importance of sufficient qualified staff. Entrepreneurs who expand their activities without adjusting their workforce and work processes accordingly may face a decline in service quality.
According to him, technology can also contribute to more efficient business operations. By improving administrative processes and using suitable digital systems, businesses can organise their work more effectively. It is important that a company does not remain fully dependent on the owner’s daily presence.
What does economic growth in Guyana mean for Suriname?
Developments in Guyana are also relevant to Suriname, which is preparing for further economic activities surrounding the offshore oil industry. The experiences of the neighbouring country show that rapid economic growth does not automatically mean that all local businesses will benefit from it sustainably.
For Surinamese companies seeking to respond to future opportunities in the oil and gas sector, sound financial management, reliable business processes and qualified staff are likewise important conditions. Businesses must not only be able to secure contracts, but also demonstrate that they can carry them out according to the agreed terms.
Doerga’s warning can therefore be seen as a point of attention for Surinamese entrepreneurs. Investments in business development and personnel can help them better absorb future growth. At the same time, it remains important to diversify sources of income and not become fully dependent on one sector or client.
Access to financing remains a challenge
In Guyana, entrepreneurs are also being made aware by the government of the importance of responsible entrepreneurship. Minister of Finance Ashni Singh stressed during the National Small Business Week Expo on October 25 that access to a loan in itself does not guarantee business success.
According to Singh, entrepreneurs must have a sound business concept, a realistic plan and responsible financial management. His message aligns with Doerga’s warning that financial resources can only be deployed effectively when the business organisation is sufficiently strong.
Business coach shares experiences in book BANKABLE
Doerga has recorded his insights on entrepreneurship and sustainable business growth in the book BANKABLE. In it, he describes how entrepreneurs can increase their credibility, improve their business processes and better prepare for expansion.
The book is based on his experiences with businesses in the Caribbean region and other markets. It also contains tools that entrepreneurs can use to apply the described methods in their own business.
An important question Doerga puts to entrepreneurs is whether they want to continue leading a relatively small business or develop an organisation that can function without their continuous personal involvement.
Sustainable economic development requires strong businesses
The discussion about the future of Guyanese business touches on a broader challenge within the Caribbean region. Economic growth can generate new jobs, investments and business opportunities, but sustainable development requires companies to also withstand changing market conditions.
For Suriname, the key question is how local businesses can prepare in time for expected developments in the energy sector. The extent to which they invest in personnel, administration and business structures may partly determine how many economic opportunities actually reach local businesses.
Sources: News Room Guyana and Department of Public Information Guyana.
More economic news and developments in Suriname can be followed via Key News Suriname.
