Berbice Chamber conducts first ever workshop for SMEs

THIRTY-FIVE participants benefitted from the just concluded Berbice Chamber of Commerce and Development Association (BCCDA) sponsored two-day workshop and training seminar, which targeted small and medium entrepreneurs in the ‘Ancient County’.

altFollowing that programme, executed at the Chamber’s offices in Chapel Street, New Amsterdam, certificates were presented to those who participated and covered a variety of topics.
The range included understanding the role of, and, managing a small business; comprehending the legal and compliance framework, record keeping, constructing and analysing income statements and balance sheets, calculating profitability and forecasting.
In addition, the entrepreneurs, through facilitators from BCCDA and other business officials, were exposed to financing and previews to areas of lucrative small businesses; how to market their business; when and how to invest; how to manage finances, and diversifying.
During the opening ceremony last week, BCCDA President, Mr. Imran Saccoor highlighted his organisation’s continued drive to develop young entrepreneurs in an effort to give back to the community.
He said the programme, the first of its kind in the region, is one of several community-based initiatives planned for the current year.

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A banker by profession, Saccoor noted that the business organisation’s vision includes the small man from where their support is garnered.
He said: “A dynamic small medium enterprise  sub-sector is vital and imperative for the economic development of this and most other countries. Aside from providing opportunities for employment generation, SMEs help to provide effective means of curtailing migration and allow citizens to better the resources available locally.”
Meanwhile, Chairman of Region Six (East Berbice/Corentyne), Mr. David Armogan, while congratulating the BCCDA and encouraging those taking part to pay keen attention, noted that the organisation had taken a step in the right direction as the Private Sector plays an important part in any country’s development.
“Not only the big businesses are important but the small ones, too, and that is where you come in,” he told those involved.
Armogan observed that, while there are many opportunities for small businesses, plans must be enforced and that is the reason why seminars of this nature are relevant.
He urged the attendees to form themselves into groups and return to the period of cooperatives, in which things will be better and easier to secure financing and access markets.
While criticising the banking industry for its high interest rates, which is not too business friendly, Armogan urged the bankers to set up an investment bank and work out ways and means in which the loans can have a lighter effect on the borrowers.

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