Barama Company Limited (BCL) on Thursday officially launched a G$1 billion Strategic Reinvestment and Plywood Expansion initiative, marking the completion of a major phase of its โBarama 3.0โ transformation programme aimed at modernising operations at its Land of Canaan facility on the East Bank of Demerara.
The launch was witnessed by Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Vanessa Benn; Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat; and Guyana Forestry Commission Commissioner, Edward Goberdhan. The officials participated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony and toured the facility, where they were briefed on upgraded production systems and processes by BCL Country Manager Mohindra Chand.
The reinvestment focuses on expanding plywood production and upgrading manufacturing capacity through the introduction of advanced machinery and processing technologies. According to the company, the upgrades are expected to increase overall production capacity by between 50 and 70 percent, while improving operational efficiency, including a reported seven percent increase in log-to-plywood recovery.
Officials said the initiative aligns with national objectives to strengthen value-added processing in the forestry sector and reduce dependence on imported construction materials. The Ministry of Housing has been promoting greater use of locally produced timber in residential and commercial construction as part of wider efforts to support domestic industries and maximise returns from Guyanaโs natural resources.
The company said the expansion is also consistent with the goals of Guyanaโs Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030, which emphasises sustainable forest management and responsible utilisation of timber resources.
BCL also reported significant workforce growth as part of the expansion, with employment increasing from approximately 200 to 415 workers. Women now account for more than 40 percent of the companyโs staff, reflecting a shift in employment patterns within the traditionally male-dominated forestry sector.
In brief remarks, Minister Benn encouraged consumers and businesses to support locally manufactured products, noting that domestic purchasing contributes to job creation, economic stability, and national development.
The expansion represents one of the largest recent private-sector reinvestments in Guyanaโs forestry manufacturing industry and signals continued confidence in downstream timber processing