Entrepreneurs from Pomeroon/Supenaam in Region Two were yesterday beaming with smiles after they each received a cheque from the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce through the Small Business Bureau (SBB).
The ministry said that more than 170 small business owners in Region Two received grants valuing up to $500,000 from the SBB to start or expand their entrepreneurial ventures. Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Oneidge Walrond spearheaded the distribution exercise in the compound of the Anna Regina Town Council
Stabroek News spoke with several of the recipients who shared their plans.
Dindyal Dyal of Westbury, who owns a grocery shop said that the money he received will be used to restock his grocery shop since it was almost empty and he was facing financial difficulties.
James Smith of Siriki, Upper Pomeroon River in Region Two, said that he will be investing the money on his farmlands. He is the owner of JS and Sons Farming Investment. He related that he cultivates a wide variety of cash crops and the money will be used to purchase planting materials and pesticides.
Navin Latchman, owner of a poultry farm at Richmond Housing Scheme, plans to use the money to further invest. He said that he will be purchasing more chickens and ducks.
And Samantha Chase of Charity Lower Pomeroon who has a cooking business said the money will be used for further expansion. She said she was happy to have received the grant.
The beneficiaries all expressed their gratitude to the SBB for the much needed intervention.
Walrond used the opportunity to emphasise government’s commitment to providing support for small businesses in the region. Speaking to hundreds of beneficiaries she posited that the support was a “tangible” one that will aid in further development and expansion. She also told recipients that they should not see it as a handout, but rather, utilise it for the expansion and development of their businesses. She disclosed that since 2020, over 4,000 small businesses have benefited from grants totalling some $999 million from the government.
Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer Mohamed Shazim Ibrahim assured that the SBB will continue to work with small business owners by providing financial support as well as much needed training opportunities.
And Region Two chairperson, Vilma De Silva, expressed her gratitude at seeing so many Essequibians benefitting from the initiative. She urged the recipients to make full use of the grants and to continue to develop their businesses. She noted that the distribution is just the beginning and the region’s Democratic Council (RDC) and the SBB will continue to work with them.
