About

Trade Agreements

Multilateral and Regional Trade Agreements

World Trade Organization (WTO): Guyana has been a member since January 1, 1995, and was a contracting party to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) since July 5, 1966. 

Caribbean Community (CARICOM): Established by the Treaty of Chaguaramas in 1973, CARICOM facilitates economic integration among member states, including Guyana. 

CARIFORUM–European Union Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA): Signed on October 15, 2008, this agreement provides duty-free and quota-free access for CARIFORUM goods to the EU market, with temporary exceptions for certain products. 

CARIFORUM–United Kingdom Economic Partnership Agreement: Signed on March 22, 2019, this agreement ensures continuity of trade relations between CARIFORUM states and the UK post

CARICOM Bilateral Agreements: As a CARICOM member, Guyana benefits from several trade agreements, including:

CARICOM–Colombia Trade, Economic and Technical Cooperation Agreement

CARICOM–Costa Rica Free Trade Agreement

CARICOM–Cuba Free Trade Agreement

CARICOM–Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement

CARICOM–Venezuela Trade, Economic, and Technical Cooperation Agreement

🤝 Bilateral Trade Agreements

Guyana–Brazil Partial Scope Agreement: Signed on June 27, 2001, and entered into force on May 31, 2004, this agreement offers tariff preferences on specific products between the two countries. 

Guyana–China Trade Agreement: Signed in 2001, this agreement provides for most-favored-nation treatment in terms of customs tariffs and fees. 

Guyana–Venezuela Partial Scope Agreement: Signed on October 27, 1990, and entered into force on June 28, 1991, this agreement facilitates trade in specific goods between the two nations.

Guyana–Argentina Trade and Economic Cooperation Agreement: This agreement covers collaboration in various sectors, including trade, transportation, and joint ventures. 

Guyana–Suriname Protocol on Trade in Fresh Agricultural Produce: Signed in August 2021, this protocol aims to facilitate the trade of fresh agricultural produce between the two countries by establishing guidelines for production, packaging, and transportation. 

🌍 Preferential Trade Arrangements

Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act (CBTPA): Under this U.S. legislation, Guyana enjoys duty-free access for certain products exported to the United States. 

CARIBCAN: This Canadian initiative provides duty-free access for eligible goods from Caribbean countries, including Guyana, to the Canadian market. 

🛡️ Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs)

Guyana has signed several BITs to promote and protect investments with various countries:

China: Signed on March 27, 2003, and entered into force on October 26, 2004. 

Germany: Signed on December 6, 1989, and entered into force on March 8, 1994

Indonesia: Signed on January 30, 2008. 

South Korea: Signed on July 31, 2006.

Switzerland: Signed on December 13, 2005. 

United Kingdom: Signed on October 27, 1989, and entered into force on April 11, 1990

🌳 Environmental and Forestry Agreements

Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) with the European Union: Initialled in November 2018, this agreement aims to improve forest governance and promote trade in legal timber products between Guyana and the EU.

Official Documents

Summary and Status Update of Guyana’s Trade and Investment Agreements
This document provides an overview of Guyana's multilateral, regional, and bilateral trade agreements.
📥 https://guyanainvest.gov.gy/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Summary-and-Status-update-of-Guyanas-Trade-and-Investment-Agreements.pdf

Annex A(8) – International Cooperation, Trade, and Investment
Outlines Guyana's key trade agreements and preferential access arrangements.
📥https://gea.gov.gy/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/A8-International-Cooperation-Trade-and-Investment.pdf

 Ministry of Foreign Trade and International Cooperation (2002)
Details Guyana's participation in various trade agreements during that year.

🌐 https://parliament.gov.gy/documents/acts/4896-annual_report_of_the_ministry_of_foeign_trade_and_international_cooperation_for_the_year_2002.pdf

Guyana Invest – Trade/Export
Provides information on trade agreements and export opportunities.
🔗 https://guyanainvest.gov.gy/portfolio/trade-export/

U.S. Department of Commerce – Guyana Trade Agreements
Outlines Guyana's trade agreements relevant to U.S. businesses.
🔗 https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/guyana-trade-agreements