The Global Opportunities Committee of the Atlanta Black Chambers of the US (GOU-ABC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the local Black Entrepreneurs Association (BEA) outlining mutual agreement between the two organisations to collaborate on exploring and promoting business opportunities to the benefit of their respective members.
The MOU was signed on Friday at the 2nd Annual Destination Guyana Now (DGN) Diaspora Business and Investment Conference at the Guyana Marriott Hotel, which ends today. Signing on behalf of the GOU-ABC was Stacey Mollison, President and CEO of Libra Management Group and Founder of DGN and BEA Secretary Lance Hinds.
Guest Speaker at the signing ceremony, US Ambassador to Guyana Nicole Theriot spelled out the importance of strengthening ties between the United States and Guyana. She stated that the US values its relationship with Guyana, especially in the context of shared democratic ideals and human rights advocacy.
Theriot highlighted the essential role of the US Foreign Commercial Service in connecting the private sectors of both nations. “Please do not be shy to contact our Foreign Commercial Service,” she urged, stating that the agency was committed to facilitating local content initiatives, mentoring, and coaching entrepreneurs.
The signing of the agreement was hailed as a promise to nurture the spirit of innovation and develop commercial partnerships, and solidify the future of bilateral economic collaboration. The new partnership, it was stated, signified not only a commitment to economic growth but also a dedication to nurturing the cultural and innovative spirit.
Delivering remarks, Hinds stated that Guyana’s GDP, which stood at approximately US$4 billion in 2020, was projected to soar to an astonishing US$24 billion by the end of 2024. This significant growth, he added, positions Guyana as a formidable player in the Caribbean, surpassing Jamaica and closely trailing Trinidad and Tobago.
“It is time to make a decision about how we are going to participate in it and stop expecting others to represent us. Along with doing it ourselves, we cannot do it alone,” Hinds said,
Meanwhile, Member of the Export-Import (EXIM) Bank of the US’s 2024-2025 Sub-Saharan Africa Advisory Committee Malik Yoba, a featured speaker at the DGN Diaspora Business and Investment Conference, addressed attendees on the importance of collaboration and unity among entrepreneurs.
Yoba, who is described by EXIM Bank as “a serial entrepreneur”, is the founder and CEO of Yoba Development, a diversified portfolio company specialising in real estate, education, and media, which has active real estate projects in five US cities: New York, Baltimore, Augusta, Chicago and Charleston. EXIM Bank said that as a mission-driven firm, Yoba Development is committed to “building human capacity through education and media while simultaneously pursuing sustainable, affordable and market rate mixed-use development projects in transitioning neighbourhoods”.
Yoba, who is also a well-known actor, having appeared in such projects as “Cool Runnings” and “Designated Survivor”, discussed the power of narrative in driving business success.
“The power of the story to drive business,” he said is not merely a catchy phrase but a guiding principle that underscores the potential of shared experiences and cultural narratives in fostering economic growth.
Here for the conference Yoba is also committed to engaging with local filmmakers and actors to highlight the potential for cross-cultural collaborations that can elevate both the artistic and economic landscapes of the region.
The DGN conference, billed as a pivotal event for fostering connections between local and international business owners with a sharp focus on the burgeoning economic landscape of Guyana, afforded a platform to explore investment opportunities while celebrating the entrepreneurial spirit of the diaspora.
