Twenty-five Region Two business owners on Friday received cheques worth $150,000 each to help revive their businesses.
The recipients included persons who were forced to close and lay off workers due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Their businesses are focused on agriculture, electronics, clothing, and jewellery, among other things.
A simple handing over ceremony was held in the boardroom of the Regional State House at Anna Regina and the cheques were presented by Region Two Chairperson Vilma De Silva, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Small Business Bureau Mohamed Shazim Ibrahim, Deputy CEO of the SBB Simon Pollard and Vice President of the Essequibo Chamber of Commerce Suean Sewnarayan.
Speaking to the beneficiaries, Ibrahim said the grant was distributed to nurture the businesses, while underscoring that it is SBB’s intention to empower more businesses throughout Guyana.
He emphasized that the SBB is moving businesses from micro to medium and the focus is on sustainable growth. He said that SBB is providing training and over 2,000 entrepreneurs benefited in 2022.
The Bureau provides training in management, budgeting, and financing, among other areas. He also mentioned that SBB is assisting with loan guarantees of up to 6% in order to help business prosper. There is also intention to establish an SBB agro-processing facility in Region Two to assist persons in the region to package their products.
Region Two Chairperson Vilma De Silva said that the Government of Guvana will continue to support entrepreneurs through grants and other initiatives. She called on businesses to invest wisely and to ensure that accountability is on their agenda
Recipients expressed their gratitude to the Ministry of Tourism Industry and Commerce and the Small Business Bureau for their grants. Among them was Lall Chand, of Lima Sands, who said that he will be restocking his grocery for the holiday season. He said the grant will assist him and he was thankful for the intervention.
