Database

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GUYANA

Since June 2010, entry into force in April 2011, last amended in January 2016
Since January 2014

Pillar Cross-border data policies  |  Indicator Ban to transfer and local processing requirement
Credit Reporting Act 2010

Credit Reporting (Cross Border Transfer and Storage of Credit Information) Regulations 2014
According to Art. 18 of the Credit Reporting Act 2010, credit reporting agencies may only store and retain the data collected in another country, provided they have the Bank of Guyana's approval.
Moreover, pursuant to Section 2 of the Credit Reporting (Cross Border Transfer and Storage of Credit Information) Regulations, a credit bureau may not transfer or store any information collected under the Act outside Guyana without the prior approval of the Bank.
Coverage Financial sector

GUYANA

Since March 2004
Since May 1995, last amended in September 2018
Since March 1919, last amended in May 2000

Pillar Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in sectors relevant to digital trade  |  Indicator Maximum foreign equity share
Investment Act 2004

Companies Act

Business Names (Registration) Act
According to Art. 12 of the Investment Act, an investment company may be wholly owned by foreign or domestic investors. According to Art. 5 of the Companies Act, incorporation in Guyana does not require residency, but according to Art. 312 external companies must register with the government to conduct business in the country. Under the Business Registration Act, Guyanese companies must use the real surnames of their incorporators or be registered with the government.
Coverage Horizontal

GUYANA

Since January 1938
Since January 1938, last amended in June 1992

Pillar Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs)  |  Indicator Practical or legal restrictions related to the application process for patents
Patents Regulations

Patents and Designs Act
Pursuant to Art. 9(2) of the Patents Regulations, the Registrar will not accept an application for a patent relating to an invention communicated from abroad, or an application filed by a person who is not resident in Guyana at the time of filing, unless the application is submitted through a licensed patent agent. Under Art. 101 of the Patents and Designs Act, the Registrar may grant renewable annual licences to fit and proper Commonwealth citizens who are patent agents.
Coverage Horizontal

GUYANA

Since January 1938

Pillar Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs)  |  Indicator Practical or legal restrictions related to the enforcement of patents
Patents Regulations
Pursuant to Art. 7 of the Regulations, every applicant and every person who is, or subsequently becomes, a patentee must provide the Registrar with an address for service in Guyana. For all purposes connected with the relevant proceedings or patent, that address may be treated as the applicant’s, opponent’s, or patentee’s effective address.
Coverage Horizontal
"SELECT DISTINCT(post_id) FROM prj_12_postmeta WHERE meta_key = 'score' AND\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id IN (SELECT post_id FROM prj_12_postmeta WHERE meta_key = 'country' AND meta_value = 'GY')\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAND (\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id IN (SELECT post_id FROM prj_12_postmeta WHERE meta_key = 'subchapter' AND meta_value = '1.1') OR\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id IN (SELECT post_id FROM prj_12_postmeta WHERE meta_key = 'subchapter' AND meta_value = '1.2') OR\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id IN (SELECT post_id FROM prj_12_postmeta WHERE meta_key = 'subchapter' AND meta_value = '1.3')\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t)"
[{"post_id":"96215"},{"post_id":"96216"},{"post_id":"96217"}]
"SELECT meta_value FROM prj_12_postmeta WHERE meta_key = 'impact' AND\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id IN (SELECT post_id FROM prj_12_postmeta WHERE meta_key = 'country' AND meta_value = 'GY')\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAND (\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id IN (SELECT post_id FROM prj_12_postmeta WHERE meta_key = 'subchapter' AND meta_value = '1.1') OR\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id IN (SELECT post_id FROM prj_12_postmeta WHERE meta_key = 'subchapter' AND meta_value = '1.2')\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t)"
"SELECT meta_value FROM prj_12_postmeta WHERE meta_key = 'score' AND\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id IN (SELECT post_id FROM prj_12_postmeta WHERE meta_key = 'country' AND meta_value = 'GY')\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAND (\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id IN (SELECT post_id FROM prj_12_postmeta WHERE meta_key = 'subchapter' AND meta_value = '1.3')\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t)"
ITA: [{"meta_value":"1.00"}]

GUYANA

ITA signatory? I II

Pillar Tariffs and trade defence measures applied on ICT goods  |  Indicator Effective tariff rate on ICT goods (applied weighted average)
Effective tariff rate to ICT goods (applied weighted average)
7.7%
Coverage rate of zero-tariffs on ICT goods (%)
32.45%
Coverage: ICT goods

GUYANA

N/A

Pillar Tariffs and trade defence measures applied on ICT goods  |  Indicator Participation in the WTO Information Technology Agreement (ITA) and 2015 expansion (ITA II)
Lack of participation in the Information Technology Agreement (ITA) and in ITA Expansion Agreement (ITA II)
Guyana is not a signatory of the 1996 World Trade Organization (WTO) Information Technology Agreement (ITA) nor the 2015 expansion (ITA II).
Coverage ICT goods

GUYANA

Since June 2003, entry into force in November 2004, last amended in May 2019

Pillar Public procurement of ICT goods and online services  |  Indicator Other limitations on foreign participation in public procurement
Procurement Act 2003
According to Art. 39.6 (b) of the Procurement Act 2003, there is a 10% margin of preference for domestic providers or domestically produced goods. However, it is reported that this margin is rarely utilised.
Coverage Horizontal

GUYANA

Since March 2004, last amended in February 2021

Pillar Public procurement of ICT goods and online services  |  Indicator Other limitations on foreign participation in public procurement
Small Business Act 2004
According to Art. 11 of the Small Business Act 2004 (as amended by Art. 3 of the Small Business (Amendment) Act 2021), the Government shall use its best endeavours to ensure that at least 20% of its procurement of goods, services and works to be executed annually is obtained from small businesses and for this purpose, the Council shall prepare annually a Small Business Procurement Programme.
Coverage Horizontal

GUYANA

Reported in 2022, last reported in 2025

Pillar Public procurement of ICT goods and online services  |  Indicator Other limitations on foreign participation in public procurement
Lack of transparency in tender procedures
It is reported that government procurement processes remain slow and opaque, with tenders that may change during the process and be reissued. Moreover, concerns persist regarding inefficiencies in contract award procedures. In the 2024 annual report, the Auditor General highlighted reported disregard for the procedures, rules, and laws governing public procurement, including instances of alleged overpayments and procurement breaches.
Coverage Horizontal

GUYANA

N/A

Pillar Public procurement of ICT goods and online services  |  Indicator Signatory of the WTO Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA) with coverage of the most relevant services sectors (CPC 752, 754, 84)
Lack of participation in the WTO Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA)
Guyana is not a party to the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Government Procurement, nor does it have observer status.
Coverage Horizontal

GUATEMALA

Since 2008

Pillar Online sales and transactions  |  Indicator UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Commerce
UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Commerce
Guatemala has adopted national legislation based on or influenced by the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Model Law on Electronic Commerce.
Coverage Horizontal

GUATEMALA

Since 2008

Pillar Online sales and transactions  |  Indicator UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Signatures
UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Signatures
Guatemala has adopted national legislation based on or influenced by the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Model Law on Electronic Signatures.
Coverage Horizontal

GUATEMALA

Reported in 2023, last reported in 2025

Pillar Technical standards applied to ICT goods and online services  |  Indicator Self-certification for product safety
Supplier Declaration of Conformity not allowed for foreign businesses
The type approval process for radio equipment in Guatemala is administered by the Superintendence of Telecommunications (SIT). All radio equipment devices require certification, and equipment that complies with ETSI or FCC standards is typically approved. Approvals are usually obtained within six weeks without the need for in-country testing or local representatives, and certificates have an indefinite validity period. Existing international test reports can be used for the homologation process, during which technical documents will be reviewed and validated.
Coverage Telecom equipment

GUATEMALA

N/A

Pillar Online sales and transactions  |  Indicator Threshold for ‘De Minimis’ rule
Lack of de minimis threshold
Guatemala does not implement any de minimis threshold, which is the minimum value of goods below which customs do not charge duties.
Coverage Horizontal

GUATEMALA

Since January 1970

Pillar Online sales and transactions  |  Indicator Local presence requirements for digital services providers
Congress Decree No. 2-70 – Guatemalan Commercial Code (Decreto del Congreso N. 2-70 - Código de Comercio de Guatemala)
In accordance with Art. 214 of the Guatemalan Commercial Code, companies legally constituted abroad that wish to establish or operate in any form in the country, or to have one or more branches or agencies, must have at least one representative permanently in the country.
Coverage Horizontal

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