Govt dedicated to creating a brighter future for Guyanese
─ committed to enhancing small business operations in Region 10
─ Entrepreneurial reform to take place within months
─ politics will not interfere with govt’s responsibility – Min. Gaskin
DPI, Guyana, Friday, February 1, 2019
The government, through the Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin, today reiterated its business and entrepreneurial commitment to the residents of Region 10, Upper Demerara-Berbice.
The discourse between the minister, various small business owners, representatives of the Small Business Bureau and the Linden Chamber of Commerce ironed out many issues facing the entrepreneurs in the region.
Minister Gaskin highlighted the urgency of which these problems must be addressed within the region to facilitate business and entrepreneurial growth.
“It’s very important for the business community in any region or any country to understand that there is certainty [within the business sector] and that the country is being managed in a way that does not negatively impact businesses,” Minister Gaskin said.
The Minister of Business told the Department of Public Information (DPI) that measures are being put in place to ensure a bright future for small businesses within Guyana, more specifically, Region 10 which benefits from special investment opportunities only available to Regions 1, 7, 8, 9 and 10 for a broader scope of investment opportunities.
“A bright future; that is indeed what we want to create for businesses in Guyana. We as a government have undertaken to facilitate legitimate businesses of all kinds and to encourage growth and employment and development of businesses because we recognise that the good life that our Government has promised will largely come from the work of businesses.”
The government is actively creating an environment to facilitate the development of local small businesses for employment creation and sustainability. The understanding exists that different businesses have diverse markets and therefore, different constructs and needs.
Grants, loans, investment opportunities, incentives regimes and support programmes for small businesses will be personalised through the help of the Small Business Bureau to ensure each entrepreneur creates a quality business plan that has the best chance of obtaining a loan from the two partnering banks – Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) and Republic Bank Guyana Ltd.
The minister also noted the problems in investment in Region 10 including the acquisition of land and the thousands of pending applications in the system.
“I have noted the concerns of the investors, mainly on the issue of lands [and] I will undertake [the task of] going to the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission and get something a lot more definitive as to how long should the average investor have to wait and the way forward,” Minister Gaskin added.
The Ministry of Business also trains interested persons in areas of startup, growth, development and sustainability of businesses through the work of the Small Business Bureau across Guyana.
Nateshia Isaacs.
Images: Giovani Gaji.