Linden entrepreneurs urged to seize opportunities
─ Business Minister opens Linden Exhibition and Trade Fair
─ Small business grants awarded to five entrepreneurs
DPI, Guyana, Saturday, July 27, 2019
Entrepreneurs and business owners in Linden were on Friday evening encouraged to take advantage of the opportunities provided by the government.
Speaking at the opening of the Linden Exhibition and Trade Fair hosted at the Egbert Benjamin Exhibition and Conference Centre, Minister of Business, Hon. Haimraj Rajkumar stated that “opportunities are just as much dependent on our views and attitudes”.
“Many opportunities are available throughout the length and breadth of our country and also all across our economic sectors but these opportunities will not be materialised if we do not take deliberate actions to make them a reality,” he told the business enthusiasts.
The Business Minister noted that while Linden thrived on the bauxite industry, businesses must “look to the future” and diversify their economy. Members of Linden’s business community were urged to position themselves to benefit from the oil and gas sector.
Minister Haimraj explained that local businesses men and women do not have to be directly involved in the energy sector to benefit from these opportunities. He also reiterated the Coalition Government’s commitment to ensuring Guyanese enterprises have equal access to these opportunities.
“As a government, we are committed to ensuring that Guyanese businesses have equal and fair access to those business opportunities but it has to be a collaborative effort.”
Before declaring the exhibition and trade fair open, the Business Minister distributed grants from the Small Business Bureau (SBB) to several budding ventures in Linden. This is the minister’s first grant distribution exercise since assuming the portfolio.
The Department of Public Information (DPI) spoke to two of the recipients who expressed their gratitude.
Jellon Farell told DPI that the grant will be used to purchase necessary equipment that will allow him to expand his electronics repair business. Jermaine Crawford who currently operates a construction business said, “I feel great to know that they can come out and help young people who have ideas and needs the opportunity to get things underway.”
There were a variety of products on display at the exhibition and trade fair most of which were locally manufactured and packaged as entrepreneurs move to develop or improve value-added production to their operations.
The Exhibition and Trade Fair is the culmination of Linden Business Week – an initiative hosted by the Linden Chamber of Industry, Commerce and Development. The event commenced with a Business Summit on Tuesday at the Watooka Guest House where business owners were allowed to network and build partnerships.