ASSISTING MEMBERS IN SEIZING OPPORTUNITIES IN GUYANA
The Bilateral Chamber’s Guyana Task Force continues to leverage our expansive network to empower members to seize leadership roles in the opportunities presented by Guyana's rapidly growing economy, recognized as the world's fastest-growing market.
The Task Force focuses on enhancing Guyana's energy security, fostering sustainable development, and advancing decarbonization efforts, particularly in heavy industry and hard-to-abate sectors. We, like the Government of Guyana, acknowledge the pivotal role that U.S. energy firms and service providers play in supporting Guyana’s growth and transition to a low-carbon future through their proven technologies and expertise.
The Task Force also actively supports and promotes multiple infrastructure developments in Guyana, uniting stakeholders to address immediate needs and accelerate growth across all critical sectors. Our projects include airport expansion feasibility studies, smart city initiatives, power generation solutions, and the facilitation of the direct United Airlines flight between Houston and Georgetown that began in 2023.
In support of these efforts, we collaborate closely with the Private Sector Commission of Guyana, the commercial and policy teams at the U.S. Embassy in Guyana, and various Ministries, such as the Ministries of Natural Resources and Public Works, as well as the offices of the President and Vice President.
The Task Force aims to assist with capacity building by advocating for the local private sector and facilitating connections among U.S., international, and Guyanese businesses. Our initiatives prioritize economic development and local content partnerships. With three completed trade missions initially focused on energy and later expanding into agribusiness, healthcare, and ICT sectors, we continue to bridge U.S. and local entities, providing crucial legal and business support to drive opportunities for our members in Guyana.
As Guyana’s market economy continues its rapid growth, in-country challenges such as high energy costs and the demand for sustainable packaging materials create opportunities for innovative solutions and partnerships between local interests, both public and private sector, and U.S. companies. As Guyana progresses with its gas monetization strategy and moves toward low-carbon development, strategic partnerships, and educational initiatives will be crucial for its success on the global stage.
The Task Force on Guyana, comprising private and public sector leaders from government entities and diverse industries, promotes economic growth and facilitates business opportunities for our member network and partners. Their expertise guides companies and organizations through the evolving business landscape of this dynamic and expanding market.
Contact Ms. Sukejna Kovacevic at sukejna@bilateralchamber.org to uncover the incredible opportunities that await in Guyana.
Guyana Task Force Committee
Our esteemed Guyana Task Force Committee members bring unparalleled expertise and insights to help unlock the vast potential of the rapidly growing market in Guyana. Meet the experts driving our mission:
Adrian Goodisman
Partner
Energy Advisors Group, Bancroft Guyana Investment Group
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Adrian Goodisman
Partner
Energy Advisors Group, Bancroft Guyana Investment Group
Adrian Goodisman is a Partner at Energy Advisors Group, a leading advisory firm offering acquisition & divestiture services to the oil & gas industry. Additionally, he is a Partner at Bancroft Guyana Investment Group, a firm that invests directly in the growing economy of Guyana and introduces investors to participate in the economic development of the country.
He previously was a Managing Director at Moelis & Company, a leading global independent investment bank where he provided financial and strategic advice to upstream oil & gas companies.
Mr. Goodisman has over 30 years of investment banking and technical experience in the energy sector. Prior to Moelis, he was a Managing Director at Scotiabank where he worked in a variety of positions including Co-Head U.S. of Scotia Waterous – the firm’s oil and gas investment banking division. Prior to that, he was Managing Director and President at Waterous & Co USA, the predecessor to Scotia Waterous, where he was responsible for building out the firm’s U.S. practice. He has also held a variety of executive and technical roles at Ziff Energy Group and ConocoPhillips.
In addition to the Bilateral Chamber, Mr. Goodisman presently serves on the advisory board of Globalturk Captial, as well as the advisory board of Lifting Gas Ltd.
He previously served on the Capital Markets Committee of the Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA), and also served in a variety of positions with the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) including: Chairman, Canadian Section; Chairman, International Membership Committee; and Director, Gulf Coast (Houston) Section. He also served as an SPE distinguished lecturer.
Mr. Goodisman holds a B.S. (honors) in Mathematics from the University of Salford, Manchester and an M.S. in Petroleum Engineering from the University of Texas. Additionally, he is a registered representative in the U.S holding Series 24, 7 and 63 licenses.
Saba Abashawl
Chief External Affairs Officer
City of Houston | Houston Airport System
Saba Abashawl
Chief External Affairs Officer
City of Houston | Houston Airport System
Saba Abashawl is the Deputy Director and Chief External Affairs Officer at the Houston Airport System. She oversees Global Industry Relations, Government Affairs, Business Development and Community Engagement, driving key initiatives that enhance air service connectivity and economic growth for Houston.
With a strong track record in forging alliances with global business leaders and government entities, Saba has successfully negotiated partnerships with numerous countries, positioning Houston as a premier global gateway. Her expertise in international business development and strategic decision-making has significantly contributed to the region's economic vitality.
Saba also serves as an Executive Officer for the Mayor of Houston, focusing on foreign affairs and business development initiatives. She holds board positions with the Houston Hospitality Alliance and the Houston World Affairs Council and serves on the Africa Insight and Guyana Task Force of the Bilateral Chamber.
She earned her bachelor’s degree in marketing and a master’s degree in international finance and business from the University of St. Thomas in Houston.
Michael Diaz
Founding and Global Managing Partner
Diaz, Reus & Targ, LLP.
Michael Diaz
Founding and Global Managing Partner
Diaz, Reus & Targ, LLP.
Michael Diaz, Jr. is the founding and global managing partner of Diaz, Reus & Targ, LLP. Board Certified in International Litigation and Arbitration by The Florida Bar, he is a former prosecutor, multilingual litigator, trial lawyer, and arbitral advocate with 38 years of experience advising clients, trying cases, and negotiating resolutions for complex civil, commercial, arbitral, and white-collar criminal matters.
Mr. Diaz has extensive experience handling federal criminal investigations, visa recovery efforts, FCPA, FARA and OFAC violations, and Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons classifications cases. He often conducts parallel investigations in complex, high-stakes regulatory, investigative and compliance matters that involve alleged white-collar and corruption crimes. His sophisticated asset tracing techniques have resulted in hundreds of millions of dollars in recoveries for U.S. government agencies, financial institutions, and individual fraud victims. His practice has involved client work across the United States, Latin America, Russia, the Middle East, and Africa.
Mr. Diaz is qualified to represent clients before all U.S administrative and governmental agencies, arbitral bodies, and U.S. state (Florida), federal, and appellate courts including the United States Supreme Court. He frequently serves as an advisory co-counsel outside the United States on sanctions, white-collar and corruption matters; and is a Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS).
Tina M. Beharry
CEO
HAB International, Inc.
Tina M. Beharry
CEO
HAB International, Inc.
Ms. Tina Beharry is CEO of the global logistics company HAB International, Inc. Ms. Beharry has been a part of HAB since 2007. For her first 10 years, she served in managerial roles and then as an Operations Officer for 5 years. She was appointed to her current position as CEO in 2022.
In her 15 years of acquiring hands-on experience in the logistics and supply chain industry, she has gained exceptional knowledge that has allowed her to take HAB from local logistics to a global logistics entity. She directed the expansion from a small package, express cargo service to full-scale Freight Forwarding, serving all sectors.
Ms. Beharry earned a BA in Psychology from Florida International University.
Perry Cowart
Chief Operating Officer
IET Systems
Perry Cowart
Chief Operating Officer
IET Systems
Perry Cowart is the Chief Operating Officer for IET Systems. He specializes in providing complex technology solutions for underdeveloped regions or remote areas that have experienced natural disasters. His business development projects have taken him to areas such as Argentina, Peru, Lima, Guyana, Venezuela, South Korea, South Africa, and Spain. Perry’s experience working in the defense construction industry and in the commission and operations of Oil and Gas facilities worldwide, complements the expertise level of the IET Systems team. His knowledge, experience, and taut leadership, ensure projects are executed as expected from design, implementation, to final completion.
His direct oversight and involvement with local and foreign governments, and regulatory agencies for the purpose of project approvals, permits, construction, and continued operations enables him to fully understand the exact needs and requirements of our international business sector. From mass notification systems, communication towers, security solutions, and industrial fiber infrastructure networks, Perry can offer the solution required. He has worked with clients that include Seadrill, ENSCO, Pacific Drilling, Subsea 7, BP, McDermott, Transocean, Noble Drilling, Atwood Oceanics, BAE Systems, Evoniks, Mitsubishi Poly, Shell Northrop Grumman, and Huntington Ingalls.
CHAO-CHIUNG LEE
President & CEO
STOA International
CHAO-CHIUNG LEE
President & CEO
STOA International
Chao-Chiung (C.C.) Lee is a world-renowned architect, philosopher, developer, feng-shui master, artist, teacher and author. CC Lee has managed a successful architectural practice since 1983 with offices in Texas, Florida, and New York. His strong and internationally-proven, systematic design method helps clients worldwide with modern design and development challenges. Under C.C.'s leadership, the firm has designed diverse hospitality and higher education projects including several maintenance facilities and service centers. C.C. Lee is also a Feng Shui Master who has been teaching interactive workshops at Rice University since 1999 as well as many other universities around the world.
David Mahmalji
Chairman and CEO
MHM Holdings
David Mahmalji
Chairman and CEO
MHM Holdings
Chairman and CEO with a four-decade career in oil & gas. Mr. Mahmalji was with Hunt Oil Company (HOC), in various operational and financial capacities for over 35 years with a strong emphasis on international business development. While at HOC, he served as country manager in 11 countries on four different continents in Europe, Middle East, SE Asia, Africa, South America, including 4-yrs in Guyana. His wife of 30 years is a Guyanese leading entrepreneur (They both have 3 children with entire family having dual-US Guyanese citizenship). Mr. Mahmalji has remained active in Guyana for the last 35 years as a property owner with substantial investments across all sectors of the Guyanese economy, with extensive public and private contacts including strong personal relationships within key players in the country.
In addition to his career at HOC, Mr. Mahmalji served Hillwood Development (Ross Perot) as country manager in Kurdistan Iraq (2018-9) before becoming Chairman and CEO of MHM Holdings Inc.
John Edghill
Senior Director of Investment
Guyana Office for Investment
John Edghill
Senior Director of Investment
Guyana Office for Investment
John Edghill is a seasoned public finance and business executive with experience spanning across various domains within the economic landscape of Guyana.
Currently serving as the Senior Director of Investment at the Guyana Office for Investment, John bring s a wealth of expertise in steering the export promotion and investment facilitation functions of the agency. He is responsible for implementing strategies to promote Guyana as an attractive investment destination; and for tailoring programs that that open up new markets for Guyanese products and services.
Prior to his current role, he held the position of Director of Business and Entrepreneur Development at the Ministry of Tourism, Industry, and Commerce. In this capacity, he spearheaded initiatives aimed at fostering entrepreneurship, driving innovation, trade facilitation and catalyzing growth in key sectors of the economy, assisting thousands of Small and Medium Sized businesses (SMEs) across the country.
He is also a former Director of the Small Business Council serving several committees including the Finance committee responsible for issuing grants and providing collateral guarantees. Before venturing into the realm of business development, John served as a State Auditor at the Audit Office of Guyana, earning the accolade for “Outstanding Contribution to Financial Audits”.
John is an Associate member of the Association of Business Executives (UK), and a Certified Project Management Professional accredited by the Project Management Institute (US). He also holds several academic certifications in the field of business including an Associate degree in Economics, Undergraduate in business management, an MBA from the University of Bedfordshire (UK), and is currently completing a MSc degree in International Business Management from the University of East London (UK).
John truly believes the private sector is the engine of growth and has therefore committed his career to the development for all categories – SMEs and large businesses, as well as Foreign and Local investments.