SCORES of existing and potential entrepreneurs residing in Linden benefitted from a wealth of information needed to expand or develop their businesses, while they engaged and made connections with the relevant financial institutions, agencies and business owners residing in the diaspora, at the Linden Business Forum.

The three-day forum commenced on Tuesday and included presentations from top-ranking business experts such as Dr. Roshan Khan; CEO of Social Rank Media, Ms. Lyndell Danzie; Managing Director of Cerulean Inc., Ms. Sharon Benjamin – Fauconier ;CEO – Guyana Initiative Against Climate Change (GIACC), Stacey Mollison; CEO Libra Management Group; representatives from banking institutions such as Republic Bank, Linden Enterprise Network (LEN), the Small Business Bureau (SBB), Minister within the Ministry of Agriculture, Valarie Yearwood; Member of Parliament, Jermaine Figueira, amongst others.

The forum themed, “New Horizons, New Opportunities in 2019,” headlined the inaugural Linden Business Week 2019, which was coordinated by the Linden Chamber of Industry, Commerce and Development (LCICD) and will climax this weekend with the annual Linden Business Exhibition and Trade Fair. The overall aim of the forum is to attract direct investment from foreign investors and government agencies into the town, by giving them an opportunity to scope its investment potentials, while strengthening the efforts of local entrepreneurs, edifying potential entrepreneurs and involving stake holders in the entire process of transforming Linden into an economic hub.

As the oil and gas industry gains momentum, LCICD aims to prepare the town to benefit from the plethora of investment opportunities that will come its way and are seeking avenues, such as the forum, to start the conversation on how each and every Lindener must get involved.

In his opening address, President of LCICD, Victor Fernandes, said the forum was sought as a means of providing solutions for the shortfalls of the Linden Business Community since a rapid decline in economic growth was recorded as a result of multiple challenges. These include lack of infrastructure, a change in the main economic activity in Linden, untapped tourism potential, amongst other things. “It is with this in mind that we are here today, a gathering of some of the best minds and professionals in your various fields, to interact with us, sharing their knowledge and giving us the much-needed advice. Let this forum be the GPS to take us beyond the New Horizon into new opportunities,” he advised.

Minister Valarie Yearwood underscored on the importance of being innovative and ingenious as entrepreneurs and that operating with a vision in mind, is paramount to success. “Good business leaders create a vision, articulate the vision, passionately own the vision and relentlessly drive it to completion,” she said. Imagination and wisdom she said is needed to develop a business idea into a lucrative business. Taking this passive stand will enable business owners to be a step ahead of their competitors and to put themselves in gear for what is to come from the oil industry.

Meanwhile Atlanta-based successful entrepreneur, Stacey Mollison, presented on branding and marketing, as she believes that is one of the areas Linden businesses are lacking and is affecting their shoot off. Mollison, who owns several businesses, gave tips on the importance of personal branding and marketing to attract the right clientele. Mollison, along with other Atlanta-based Guyanese entrepreneurs, will be gifting a struggling business in Linden with US$10,000 to get their business up and running, through a think tank initiative.

Financial lending institutions and business registration entities also presented on how businesses can access financing and get their businesses registered with all the necessary legal documentation. The Linden Business exhibition will officially open this Friday and will conclude on Sunday. It gives Linden businesses, as well as other businesses across the country, the opportunity to showcase the services and products offered, especially those locally made.