Small Business Bureau hosting webinar for SMEs

The Small Business Bureau (SBB) is hosting a two-day webinar series for small and micro enterprises (SMEs) aimed at teaching them how to grow and expand, despite the pandemic and other challenges.

The webinar, titled, ‘Challenges and Solutions for Micro and Small Enterprises in Guyana’ will be held on December 2 and 3 from 7pm.

In an interview with DPI, SBB Research and Marketing Officer, Ms. Shamane Headley, said the series hopes to attract about 100 participants.

The overall objective of the series is to encourage businesses to register fully with the entity and to comply with the law, so that they can take advantage of the opportunities that comes with compliance.

It also aims to help business to find solutions to challenges, particularly those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Small and micro-enterprises (SMEs) have borne the brunt of the shock of the pandemic. As such, a component will be dedicated to ensuring that SMEs are informed of their rights and responsibilities so that they can capitalize on funding and other forms of support that can aid their development.

Mrs. Lyndell Danzie-Black, Business Development Consultant and Chief Executive Officer of Cerulean Incorporated will moderate the programme. Several other business support agencies, including the National Insurance Scheme, the Guyana Revenue Authority, the Guyana National Bureau of Standards and the Government Analyst Food and Drug Department are also participating.

Additionally, on Friday, the SBB will host an in-house sampling exhibition for 10 of its clients at its Penitence Street headquarters. The exhibition will feature products suited to the festive season as part of the SBB’s Christmas programme. This activity is scheduled for 4pm to 6pm and will be observing the COVID-19 precautionary measures.

Meanwhile, Ms. Headley said the SBB continues to engage its clients through awareness sessions and is continuously seeking new membership through outreaches and other means. Interested businesses are urged to contact the SBB for guidance on how they could register.  Ms. Headley said once persons contact the Bureau, their data would be entered into a system which can be easily accessed for follow-up and engagement.

During a recent interview with DPI, Chief Executive officer of the SBB Dr. Lowell Porter had said while many of the SBB’s clients benefitted from grants and loans, many persons could not be served as they had not registered with the agency.