Monday, October 14, 2024
Research

Harnessing Oil Wealth in Guyana via a Sovereign Wealth Fund: Look Before You Leap

by Asim Ali & Patrick Schena

Like other developing countries endowed with non-renewable natural resources but underdeveloped political economic institutions, Guyana, a new addition, will face similar challenges.

Guyana is considering establishing a sovereign wealth fund (SWF) after Exxon-Mobil reported that a recent oil discovery off the coast of Guyana may hold up to 1.4m barrels of crude oil—worth between US$40-US$70bn.  Guyana currently imports all of its gas and oil.  The discovery of offshore deep-water oil reserves has the potential to bring a massive financial windfall to the country.  Effective capture of these revenues is important for Guyana.  This will require a national commitment to institutionalize the process and establish a clear mandate for the governance and management of these national assets. The risks of complacency include becoming a self-inflicted victim of “Dutch disease.”

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