President Ali Opens International Building Expo 2025, Announces 30,000 Homes in 5-Year Plan.
By Tiana Cole | HGP Nightly News
The International Building Expo 2025 officially opened Thursday evening at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, with President Dr. Irfaan Ali announcing an ambitious plan to construct 30,000 new homes over the next five years, at an estimated cost of $450 billion.
Delivering the feature address, President Ali said the initiative is aimed at shifting from land ownership to home ownership by incentivizing families to build. He noted that with more than 80,000 housing applications currently pending, the government will also prioritize the development of new lands to meet growing demand.
Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, assured that Guyana’s housing sector will remain the strongest in the Caribbean through 2030, emphasizing the government’s vision of ensuring every family has the dignity of a home, access to potable water, and long-term security. Minister within the ministry, Susan Rodrigues, added that the expo provides a vital platform for small and medium-scale businesses to network, showcase products, and drive affordability through competition.
Private Sector Commission Chairman, Gerald Gouveia Jr., praised the growth of local contractors and entrepreneurs capable of managing large-scale infrastructure projects, crediting partnerships and innovation for the sector’s progress. Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry President, Kattie Smith, highlighted the economic impact of infrastructure projects such as the Ogle–Eccles Highway, which has cut transportation costs and boosted efficiency.
This year’s expo has attracted exhibitors from India, Barbados, the Dominican Republic, Trinidad, Suriname, Canada, the United States, Colombia, Cuba, and several other countries. The Ministry of Housing is also using the event to process land ownership documents, further advancing access to housing for Guyanese families.
