Against a backdrop of shifting global trade dynamics and recent U.S. tariff policy changes that have impacted cross-border commerce, World Trade Centre Georgetown (WTCG) is preparing to host a high-profile business luncheon focused on expanding commercial ties between Guyanese enterprises and the U.S. market. Scheduled for Wednesday, June 17, 2026, the event titled “Growing Business with the United States” will feature Arun Venkataraman, a globally recognized veteran trade policy expert with decades of high-level experience in international commerce.
This luncheon forms a core part of WTCG’s long-standing mission to foster and strengthen bilateral trade and investment links between Guyana and its international economic partners. As Guyana continues to grow its global economic footprint and work to diversify its national export base, the organization has curated this event to give local business leaders direct access to insights from one of the most authoritative voices on U.S. trade and commercial policy.
Venkataraman brings over 25 years of specialized experience across international trade, commercial strategy, and global economic policy. Most recently, he held a Senate-confirmed position as Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Global Markets and Director General of the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service at the International Trade Administration, serving from 2022 to 2025. In this senior role, he led U.S. federal government initiatives to expand commercial opportunities for both American enterprises operating abroad and international firms looking to enter and invest in the U.S. market.
His core responsibilities during his tenure included facilitating cross-border business transactions, advocating for improved global commercial policy frameworks, resolving trade and investment barriers, and negotiating bilateral agreements to strengthen commercial cooperation between the U.S. and partner nations. During the upcoming luncheon, WTCG confirms Venkataraman will deliver actionable insights on current U.S. trade and commercial policies, existing trade preference programs, and other regulatory mechanisms designed to support foreign businesses entering the U.S. market. His presentation will center specifically on how Guyanese companies can leverage these frameworks to boost export volumes, build strategic cross-border partnerships, attract foreign direct investment, and strengthen their overall global competitiveness.
The event comes at a critical juncture for Guyanese exporters, as global trade continues to be reshaped by evolving geopolitical dynamics, ongoing global supply chain realignment, and shifting trade and investment policies among the world’s largest economies. Policy decisions made by the U.S. on tariffs, market access, and commercial partnerships increasingly shape global business strategies and the competitive position of exporters across every region, including Guyana.
For Guyana, deep familiarity with these evolving policy shifts has grown even more urgent following recent changes to U.S. tariff rules that affect a range of Guyanese exports. The elimination of duty-free treatment for certain products, replaced by tariff rates as high as 15 percent, has created new headwinds for exporters working to maintain and grow their share of the U.S. market. These policy changes underscore the urgent need for local businesses to stay updated on evolving U.S. trade rules and develop targeted strategies to preserve their competitiveness while capitalizing on new emerging opportunities in the U.S. market.
In an increasingly complex global trading landscape, access to authoritative, first-hand insight on U.S. trade policy is an invaluable resource for local enterprises. WTCG emphasizes that Guyanese businesses need to understand both the challenges created by recent policy shifts and the untapped opportunities that remain within the growing framework of U.S.-Guyana commercial relations.
This exclusive luncheon offers a one-of-a-kind chance to gain direct insight from a leader who helped shape and implement U.S. trade policy at the highest level of government. WTCG argues that equipping local businesses with timely, accurate information and practical industry knowledge is essential to allow Guyana to fully capitalize on its rapid economic expansion, while deepening its integration into regional and global value chains.
The event is expected to deliver particular value for exporters, manufacturers, service providers, cross-border investors, business support organizations, and entrepreneurs seeking to expand their commercial operations beyond Guyana’s borders. Beyond the formal presentation, attendees will have the opportunity to engage directly with Venkataraman during a dedicated question-and-answer session, as well as in targeted private one-on-one discussions following the main program.
The luncheon aligns with WTCG’s core institutional mission: connecting Guyanese businesses to global markets and creating avenues for meaningful international economic engagement. As a member of the World Trade Centers Association Network, which includes more than 300 World Trade Centers across over 100 countries, WTCG remains dedicated to providing local Guyanese enterprises with access to world-class expertise, actionable market intelligence, and high-impact business development opportunities.
All members of Guyana’s business community and interested stakeholders are invited to register for the event. For registration details and additional information, interested attendees may contact the WTCG Secretariat at 592-763-9824 or 592-515-9824 to speak with Ms. Noel or Ms. Peters.