American multinational coffeehouse chain Starbucks has officially opened its first location in Guyana.

Located at Amazonia Mall, Providence, East Bank Demerara, the modern and vibrant outlet will officially open to the Guyanese public today (April 25).

Speaking at the grand opening ceremony on Monday (April 24), President Dr Irfaan Ali said the opening of Guyana’s first Starbucks is testament to the confidence of international companies in Guyana’s economy.

The President also said the opening of this international franchise should encourage local coffeehouses to work harder.

“I do not see the arrival of Starbucks here as competition to our local coffee shop…it adds value, and that is what is important. We must understand that we live in a different Guyana and a different world, every brand is going to come. We have to improve, we have to get better, and we have to make our own brand and our own systems more efficient. That is what is important and global brands have the tendency of pushing local brands to up their game,” he said.

Additionally, Ali noted that it is an important investment for the services industry and challenged the company to use locally produced coffee for their products and to sell local pastries.

The franchise was brought to Guyana’s shores by Prestige Holdings Guyana Limited.