Guyana: Investing

FDI in Figures

Foreign investment into the country has been gradually increasing in the recent years. FDI stock, as a percentage of GDP, increased in 2011. The country offers a business environment which is favorable for foreign investors and the loans from the Inter-American Bank (IDB) allow to address the infrastructural problems (roads, irrigation, sanitary) and to obtain larger financing in other sectors. The Republic of Guyana joined the CARICOM (Caribbean Community and Common Market) in January 2006, which has increased its regional investments.

Traditionally, the transportation and communications sectors attracted most of the FDI, but recently, the energy sector has also become attractive: important investments in mining projects and a large hydroelectric project at the Amalia Falls in the western part of the country are the current highlights of the country's efforts.

The United States is the main investing country in Guyana.

Country Comparison For the Protection of Investors

	Guyana	Latin America & Caribbean	الولايات المتحدة	Germany
Index of Transaction Transparency*	5.0	4.1	7.0	5.0
Index of Manager’s Responsibility**	5.0	5.3	9.0	5.0
Index of Shareholders’ Power***	6.0	6.0	9.0	5.0
Index of Investor Protection****	5.3	5.1	8.3	5.0

Source: Doing Business - Last Available Data.

Note: *The Greater the Index, the More Transparent the Conditions of Transactions. **The Greater the Index, the More the Manager is Personally Responsible. *** The Greater the Index, the Easier it Will Be For Shareholders to Take Legal Action. **** The Greater the Index, the Higher the Level of Investor Protection.

Foreign Direct Investment	2008	2009	2010
FDI Inward Flow (million USD)	178	144	188
FDI Stock (million USD)	1,421.7	1,566.0	1,753.6
Performance Index*, Ranking on 141 Economies	9	9	-
Potential Index**, Ranking on 141 Economies	108	-	-
Number of Greenfield Investments***	1.0	1.0	-
FDI Inwards (in % of GFCF****)	41.4	25.1	-
FDI Stock (in % of GDP)	122.6	124.8	-

Source: UNCTAD - Last Available Data

Note: * The UNCTAD Inward FDI Performance Index is Based on a Ratio of the Country's Share in Global FDI Inflows and its Share in Global GDP. ** The UNCTAD Inward FDI Potential Index is Based on 12 Economic and Structural Variables Such as GDP, Foreign Trade, FDI, Infrastructures, Energy Use, R&D, Education, Country Risk. *** Green Field Investments Are a Form of Foreign Direct Investment Where a Parent Company Starts a New Venture in a Foreign Country By Constructing New Operational Facilities From the Ground Up. **** Gross Fixed Capital Formation (GFCF) Measures the Value of Additions to Fixed Assets Purchased By Business, Government and Households Less Disposals of Fixed Assets Sold Off or Scrapped.

Tax Rates

Sales tax: 16%
Company Tax: 45%
Withholding Taxes: Dividends: 20%, Interests: 20%, Royalties: 20%.
Bilateral Agreement: Guyana and Egypt are not bound by a Double Taxation Agreement.
Social Security Contributions Paid By Employers: 7.8%

Country Comparison For Corporate Taxation

	Guyana	Latin America & Caribbean	الولايات المتحدة	Germany
Number of Payments of Taxes per Year	34.0	33.2	11.0	16.0
Time Taken For Administrative Formalities (Hours)	288.0	384.7	187.0	215.0
Total Share of Taxes (% of Profit)	38.9	48.0	46.8	48.2

Source: Doing Business - Last Available Data.

Investment Opportunities

Tenders, Projects and Public Procurement: Inter-American Development Bank, Tenders in South America
DgMarket, Tenders Worldwide
Setting Up a Company: Consult Doing Business Website, to know about procedures to start a Business in Guyana.
Useful Resources: Guyana office for the promotion of investment, GO-Invest

Business Setup Procedures

Setting Up a Company	Guyana	Latin America & Caribbean
Procedures (number)	8.00	9.30
Time (days)	30.00	56.70

Source: Doing Business.

Any Comments About This Content? Report It to Us.

Learn more about Investing in Guyana on Globaltrade.net, the Directory for International Trade Service Providers.