COLLABORATION between Republic Bank (Guyana) Limited and the Arthur Lok Jack Graduate School of Business of the University of the West Indies saw the fruition of the fourth Commercial Customer Business Programme, which was first started in September 2010, when it was designed to prepare participants for successful planning, organising, and operating small to medium-sized businesses (SME) in various sectors within the economy.Through this venture, Republic Bank seeks to create a vibrant network of business professionals, equipping them with the tools to enhance their businesses and improve productivity.
To this end, specially selected customers were made to benefit from training aimed at improving their ability to assess and understand the business environment, effectively devise and implement business strategies, receive financial management tips and techniques, and craft ideas on marketing in the face of new challenges.
The programme was held over five days at Republic Bank’s Head Office at Promenade Court in Georgetown. The seminar’s facilitators included Mr. Hilary Bengochea, Ms. Natasha Subero, and Mr. Nigel Chinapoo, who are all lecturers at the Arthur Lok Jack Graduate School of Business of the University of the West Indies.
At Friday’s closing ceremony, 17 participants received certificates; and SME officer Mrs Diana Kandhi said, “Our previous programme, in 2012, commenced on October 17, 2012 in Berbice, and was attended by 11 commercial and professional business persons, who, through this programme, have been able to expand their knowledge and skills base. And we have, in fact, already seen noteworthy results from some of the participants.”
She noted that Republic Bank trusts that this group would also have benefited similarly; saying that, “together, you have created a lasting network of like minds that will use what they have learnt to positively transform their respective businesses and the local economy.”
Republic Bank’s Managing Director, Mr. John Alves, asserted that, at Republic Bank, “our focus remains that of developing our business customers and enabling a network of professionals geared to meet global and evolving business trends.”
Republic Bank has, he said, over the past year, continued its SME empowerment initiatives with a series of community engagements aimed at educating and motivating existing and potential SMEs.
“In addition, our focus on female entrepreneurs through our Venture Out for Women Programme, in collaboration with EMPRETEC, saw us adding a new dimension of business proposal preparation – a fundamental and critical component of realising business plan.”
He outlined: “It is our firm belief that, for (situations) such as these, help (must) not only (be) to educate, motivate and empower business persons, but (to) build stronger communities, and also serve to underscore the Bank’s social investment objective.
“So, as we conclude our 2013 Commercial Customer Business Programme, we at Republic Bank are reminded of our obligation to go beyond that of providing financing; and instead, we (must craft) our ongoing efforts (to) ensure sustained growth in the sector through exposure to relevant and modern business techniques.”
He concluded thus: “Today, knowledge has power. It controls access to opportunity and advancement.”

(By Savitri Laikram)