DRChamGuyana now operates as a bridge bringing together business leaders, investors and policymakers from both nations in the same room, whether physically or virtually. In practical terms, this means organizing trade missions, facilitating one-to-one meetings, hosting networking events and providing market intelligence to help companies navigate each other’s regulatory environments.

We do not only provide introductions; we follow up, ensure the right connections are nurtured and help turn conversations into concrete business deals.

Our job is to make bilateral cooperation and international investment as seamless and productive as possible. The chamber is not a closed circle but an open platform where companies of any size and from any market can access market intelligence, connections and real opportunities in two of the most promising economies in the region. We have a seat at the table for anyone who shares our vision.

I founded the investment and brokerage firm in Miami, Florida, in 2004 after graduating from George Washington University in Washington, D.C., specializing in real estate with a focus on mergers and acquisitions. I relocated back home to the Dominican Republic, and as the firm grew into various sectors, it was rebranded as The Nest Trust.

Over the last two decades, investors and partners have requested that we accompany them to strengthen their growth strategies, which has led to multiple engagements where we not only participated but also encouraged our legacy clients to create synergies with each other and expand their footprint while mitigating risk. We believe in impact-driven business development through cross-border collaboration and a rigorous focus on Latin America and the Caribbean.

InterEnergy Group is positioning itself to co-manage the development of new energy infrastructure and conduct personnel training for Guyana Power and Light, a $422-million management partnership. Grupo Punta Cana, a Dominican high-end tourism pioneer and airport operator, is also evaluating the development of an eco-resort and exploring opportunities in airport management. Additionally, the energy consortium United Caribbean Energy, a private-sector partnership, is aiming to enhance Caribbean energy security.

Through NEST, we are broadening regional integration by linking business leaders, fostering shared economic development and driving investments in key sectors. We help align bilateral progress for the Caribbean Community’s integration efforts by showing how bilateral models can spark broader regional cooperation. We are exploring the replication of the chamber’s model in Suriname and extending positive outcomes across the Caribbean.

I believe it is a good idea to forge the Guyanese FDI Association to help the transition of private investors into the Guyanese marketplace and bring together all relevant international private sector investors. Building bridges across the Caribbean and the Americas is the way forward; our strength as a region comes from our ability to work together.

We are also working on several projects of great regional strategic importance. In Panama, we are collaborating with the Panama Logistics Consortium on a potential future airport expansion and maintenance, repair and operations projects. We are working with Port Hamilton Refining & Transportation in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, on a project that is pivotal for the Caribbean’s energy independence. We are also partnering with US energy company Lindsayca to explore opportunities in Ecuador, the Dominican Republic, Colombia and other markets. We have provided Grupo Punta Cana with business development services to support their ambitious regional airport management and development strategy.

In 1994, then-President Bill Clinton launched the Summit of the Americas to foster collaboration between the governments and private sectors of the hemisphere. Thirty years later, in the same spirit of regional unity, we invited Clinton to join us in Georgetown, Guyana, as we led the first United Caribbean Forum in 2024, a gathering designed to promote strategic alignment among Caribbean nations. The event was made possible thanks to the input of friend and client Rolando Gonzalez Bunster, chairman of InterEnergy, who is also a lifelong friend of Clinton.

At the forum, Clinton commended Guyana’s efforts in developing sustainable agriculture and becoming an example for other countries to follow. The private sector players that attended benefited greatly, and these connections have evolved to bear fruit in various sectors. Most Dominican investors who saw themselves growing their footprint in Guyana left the event with a motivation to expand their products and services throughout the Caribbean.

The spirit of the forum remains alive. The Dominican Republic is currently preparing to host the Tenth Summit of the Americas in Punta Cana on December 2, 2025, to again bridge the public and private spheres. Together with NEST, the bilateral chambers will host the inaugural United Americas Forum on December 1, 2025, a high-level private sector gathering featuring heads of state, global business leaders and special guests. The event is intended to lay the groundwork for future collaboration on issues ranging from energy and logistics to sustainable development and investment.

The Dominican Republic imports most of its silica sand from Guyana, which is present in almost 80% of all glass bottles manufactured in the Dominican Republic. There is fast trade in construction materials, such as rebar, steel, concrete and gravel. Although sustainable agriculture, tourism, oil, energy and infrastructure have been our primary targets, the service industry is a much-needed and untapped sector that has massive growth potential in Guyana.

Guyana is in a period of remarkable transformation; under President Irfaan Ali’s leadership, the country has made great strides in opening its doors to international investors. His administration has been proactive in promoting economic diversification, improving infrastructure and streamlining certain investment processes. However, there are natural challenges to any emerging economy, including building logistics capacity, ensuring the availability of skilled labor and aligning the pace of regulatory reforms with the surge in investment interest. These common challenges are being effectively tackled by a government that is not only aware of them but also relentlessly addressing them. Guyana will become one of the most attractive destinations for foreign direct investment in the Americas, and I am proud to be contributing to this success.

I am very excited about what the future will bring. Under the leadership and support of President Ali, I envision our trade relations deepening, marked by regular high-level exchanges and thriving joint projects. I expect expanded membership on both sides and the creation of tangible benefits across agriculture, energy, tourism and infrastructure. Our alliance is not just about trade; it is about building capacity, sharing expertise and creating prosperity. If executed well, our partnership will set a precedent for Caribbean economic collaboration and regional prosperity.