Georgetown, Guyana, August 2, 2025: The Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) strongly condemns the recent statement issued by the political party We Invest in Nationhood (WIN), which called for a public boycott of several longstanding Guyanese businesses.
The GMSA reiterates that political competition must never come at the cost of economic sabotage. Our business community must not be politicized and attempts to weaponize the private sector is destructive to national progress. We have always championed efforts for the Guyanese business environment to be seen as a credible economy, and statements such as these serve only to introduce uncertainty.
The businesses named in WIN’s boycott are among the largest manufacturers in Guyana’s private sector. They collectively sustain thousands of jobs, contribute significantly to national revenues, and provide goods and services essential to everyday life. Several of these companies are publicly traded and have a legal and fiduciary responsibility to their shareholders, many of whom are ordinary Guyanese citizens with savings and investments tied to the success of these institutions.
Furthermore, Commercial banks have a legal obligation to manage risk and uphold compliance with international standards, including Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctions and anti-money laundering regulations. They also carry a fiduciary responsibility to safeguard the interests of depositors, shareholders, and the country’s financial stability.
If any party feels aggrieved by the actions of a private business, Guyana’s judicial system remains the appropriate and available forum for resolution.
The GMSA stands in firm solidarity with all law-abiding businesses that have contributed tirelessly to Guyana’s development. We call on all political actors to exercise restraint, act responsibly, and put the interest of the nation above partisan ambitions.
Let us not undermine the private sector, the very engine of Guyana’s economic future.
