Some 100 residents of Sophia, Georgetown on Saturday benefitted from the government’s $250, 000 business grant, according to the Department of Public Information (DPI).
The grant was distributed at the Sophia Exhibition Centre, and was spearheaded by the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, DPI said.
The exercise was led by Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall, Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Oneidge Walrond and Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Public Affairs, Kwame McCoy.
“With the business grant, we want to help you grow, and this will not be just a one-off, hand-you the money, this will be a constant support for you, and for your community, and for your families,” Walrond said.
McCoy noted that soon training opportunities will be accessible to Sophia residents. This will include techniques and principles of establishing, sustaining and growing their small businesses.
Some of the recipients expressed their happiness to DPI.
Punkey Vishwanauth said: “I feel great, it gonna help me because like only couple days ago I was thinking about starting a business, but wondering who am I gonna ask for a help, and then a get a call saying that I’m here to receive a grant to help me open a business so I’m really thankful for it.”
Another beneficiary, Floyd Jackson noted,” It’s a good initiative and I wanna say thanks to the government, and to all those who have played a part in making this initiative successful.”
Shemera Kadan said, “I feel really happy about it, it’s a great initiative and it could help me a great lot to start a business.”
During the distribution exercise, residents were given the opportunity to raise their concerns which included deteriorated streets, and the needed for street lights and proper drainage systems.
DPI said that government has already distributed approximately 12, 000 business grants to citizens across the country.
