GEORGETOWN, Guyana — President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali on Wednesday announced a new round of relief and incentives for Guyana’s fishing industry, pledging a $150,000 cash grant to every registered fisherfolk and the removal of taxes on fuel, seines, and other essential materials.
“We’re going to give $150,000 to every fisherfolk out there to help them as an incentive and subsidy from the Government,” President Ali said in an interview with the News Room. “This is part of our broader effort to strengthen livelihoods and ease the burden on those who contribute daily to food security and coastal resilience.”
The President emphasized that the initiative forms part of his administration’s continued investment in rural and riverine communities, particularly those dependent on small-scale fisheries. By eliminating taxes on critical inputs, the Government aims to lower production costs, improve profitability, and expand the sustainability of the sector.
“This is not a one-off measure,” the President added. “We have been steadily building the fisheries industry — from upgrading landing sites to promoting sustainable and climate-resilient fishing practices. Our fisherfolk are key players in Guyana’s development story.”
The latest initiative follows previous interventions in 2022, when more than $1.1 billion in grants was distributed to some 7,500 fisherfolk nationwide. It also aligns with the Government’s ongoing push to modernize the agriculture and fisheries sectors through training, infrastructure, and value-added processing.
According to the 2025 Mid-Year Report from the Ministry of Finance, the agriculture, fishing, and forestry sector grew by 9 percent in the first half of the year — signaling continued strength in the non-oil economy and reaffirming the administration’s focus on diversifying growth.
President Ali said additional measures to support producers, enhance productivity, and expand export readiness are expected to follow as part of the Government’s broader relief and resilience framework.