Delivering the feature address at the Private Sector Commission’s (PSC) 34th Annual General Meeting on Friday at the Guyana Marriott Hotel, Dr Singh stressed that while Guyana has made significant strides in infrastructure development and attracting investment, equal attention must be given to the quality of service for customers and visitors.
PSC Chairman Gerald Gouveia Jr and Vice-Chairwoman Kathy Smith were both re-elected at Friday’s AGM.
As Guyana experiences unprecedented economic growth and rapid expansion across multiple industries, Senior Minister with Responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, has urged local businesses to raise their service delivery standards to ensure the country remains competitive on the regional and global stage.
The Finance Minister noted that the country is experiencing a surge in the development of hotels, restaurants and commercial enterprises, driven by rising tourism, investment and economic activity. However, he cautioned that world-class facilities alone are insufficient to sustain long-term success.
According to Dr Singh, the overall customer experience must reflect the standards of a modern, progressive nation. He emphasised that every interaction, whether with a citizen, investor or visitor, should be characterised by professionalism, efficiency and excellence.
The minister observed that, too often, the focus is on completing projects and opening new facilities, while insufficient attention is paid to maintaining exceptional service standards once operations begin. He encouraged businesses to ensure that service quality matches the quality of the physical infrastructure being developed across the country.
Dr Singh further explained that the pursuit of excellence extends beyond the tourism and hospitality industries. He pointed out that sectors such as construction, engineering, logistics, fabrication, professional services and consultancy must also strive to meet internationally recognised standards if Guyana is to fully realise its economic potential.
He highlighted Guyanese companies’ participation in the rapidly growing oil and gas sector, where businesses have had to adopt global best practices to secure contracts with major international corporations, including ExxonMobil and its primary contractors. These companies, he noted, understand the importance of delivering projects on time, maintaining high levels of efficiency, and complying with strict operational, health and safety standards.
According to the Finance Minister, the same level of commitment to quality, reliability and professionalism must become the norm across the entire economy. He argued that competitiveness is not solely about winning contracts or attracting customers, but also about consistently delivering products and services that meet world-class standards.
Dr Singh emphasised that meeting these standards is a collective responsibility shared by government, the private sector and individual service providers. He urged stakeholders to collaborate to foster a culture of excellence that supports sustainable economic growth and strengthens Guyana’s international reputation.
As the country continues its transformation into one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, the minister maintained that upholding high-quality service standards will be essential to preserving investor confidence, enhancing visitor experiences and ensuring Guyana secures its place as a leading destination for business and tourism in the region.
The Finance Minister concluded by emphasising that world-class service, efficiency and professionalism are critical to nation-building and will play a vital role in sustaining Guyana’s development momentum in the years ahead.