A three-year Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) funded programme aimed at building capacity among micro, small and medium-sized enterprises rolled out on Monday with a ‘Theory and Practical Apiculture Training Seminar.’

The programme–‘Enhancing the capacity of Micro, Small and Medium-size Enterprises in Guyana’ is being facilitated by the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GGCI) with financial and technical support from the CDB.

During the opening ceremony of the five day seminar, which brought together 25 employed and unemployed persons interested in Apiary, GCCI Project Officer Eusi Evelyn noted that the multimillion dollar programme is being executed through the CDB’s Caribbean Technological Consultancy Services (CTCS) Network.

Evelyn explained that over a period of three years 15 sub-projects would be executed based on consultation with the business community, government and non-governmental organisations.
The Theory and Practical Apiculture Training Seminar, which is focusing on apiary management principles, is the first sub-project to be rolled out under the CDB funded initiative. This training seminar is being facilitated by Kingdom Apiary Products and Services (KAPS). Apiculture is the technical term for beekeeping.

KAPS Representative, Aubrey Roberts told the 25 entrepreneurs and prospective beekeepers that the seminar will equip them with foundational knowledge and skills needed to engage in Apiculture. “On the South American main land we have lush forest, we have hundreds of miles of mangrove and we have Africanized bees. These bees can be harnessed, these bees can be managed, these bees can be put to work for us, and so this week is all about that,” Roberts said.

Introduction into Apiculture, Apiary site selection and preparation, harvesting and packaging are among the areas to be covered. The group during the training is expected to pay a visit to the New Guyana Marketing Corporation.

GCCI President Deodat Indar, in delivering brief remarks, said through the CDB funded initiative the chamber will be implanting a total of 15 sub-projects targeting micro, small and medium size enterprises in various sectors and sub-sectors. “Through this programme the GCCI will provide technical assistance, support through workshops, seminars and organizational attachments. We just don’t come here and tell you how to walk the road, we actually walk the road with you,” Indar said.

He said while the programme will lay the foundation, participants must be able to transition from micro to small and then medium-sized businesses.
The GCCI President noted that the chamber engaged in extensive consultation before initiating the sub-projects.

GCCI would have consulted with the Regional Democratic Councils (RDCs), the Indian Arrival Committee, the African Cultural and Developmental Association (ACDA), Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG), New Guyana Marketing Corporation, the Small Business Bureau, the Linden Mayor and Town Council, and the Linden Enterprise Network (LEN), World University Services of Canada, and the Kuru Kuru Co-operative College.

GCCI Project Officer added that based on those consultations four of the 15 sub-projects have been formulated. “We have engaged with the Apiary Industry, we also would be collaborating with the New Guyana Marketing Corporation and IICA on a special programme for agro-processors so that is one in train.

We also will be collaborating or we have started collaboration with Guyana Tourism Authority and the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG) on a programme for the hotel hospitality sector, also we have one to do with wood working, it is still in its initial stage but these are all projects that will be finalised before this year end.”

By December 31, 2018, GCCI is expecting to have these sub-projects approved by the CDB for implementation in 2018.