President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali has instructed the government to examine the possibility of granting duty-free concessions on imported racing boats as part of efforts to strengthen boat racing and encourage greater youth participation in the sport.
The President made the announcement during the recently held Lake Mainstay Regatta, where local boat racers raised concerns about the high costs associated with importing vessels and called for government support to make the sport more accessible to young competitors.
Following the appeal, President Ali said he has asked Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, to engage key government officials and representatives of the racing community on the matter.
The proposed discussions will involve Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Charles Ramson Jr, Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Susan Rodrigues, Commissioner General of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) Godfrey Statia, and local boat racers.
President Ali indicated that the government is considering the creation of a specific import category for boats used exclusively for competitive racing. The proposed arrangement would be modelled on existing concessions available for racing cars.
Speaking to the racers, the President said the initiative could form part of a broader policy aimed at supporting both sports development and tourism.
“I promise you all that, more than likely, this is going to be a policy, because we are promoting tourism, we are promoting sports,” he said.
The President stressed, however, that any concession must be carefully structured to ensure that it benefits genuine competitors and does not become a mechanism for individuals to import recreational boats at reduced costs.
As a result, the government is expected to develop clear eligibility requirements and safeguards to distinguish racing vessels from boats intended for personal or recreational use.
The proposed concession comes as government continues to explore ways of supporting sporting activities that can also contribute to Guyana’s growing tourism sector. Boat racing remains a popular feature of regattas across the country, attracting competitors, spectators and visitors while providing opportunities for young people to develop skills and compete at a higher level.
The planned consultation with racers and relevant government agencies is expected to determine how such a concession could be implemented, including the type of vessels that would qualify and the conditions importers would have to meet.