A SUM of $200,000 was granted to each of the 170 small business entrepreneurs in the Pomeroon-Supenaam region on Wednesday, aimed at facilitating the development of their enterprises.

The grant was allocated by the Ministry of Tourism Industry and Commerce, Small Business Bureau (SBB) at the Anna Regina Town Council, under the supervision of Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Oneidge Walrond.

Minister Waldrond expressed during the allocation of the grant that the Government of Guyana is dedicated to offering unwavering assistance to small business proprietors nationwide. In her address, Minister Waldrond emphasised that the grant provides concrete support to entrepreneurs in the region. She strongly encouraged them to view it not as a complimentary offering, but as a tool for advancing and improving their businesses.

“This is just the beginning. I want to keep encouraging all of our entrepreneurs that small business is the catalyst for economic growth and prosperity in your communities. We need you to strive and grow,” Minister Walrond said.

She expressed her hope that the expansion of businesses will lead to increased employment, thereby stimulating economic development. Minister Waldrond announced that her Ministry, via the SBB, disbursed more than 1,400 grants to small businesses in 2023.

“From since 2020 to now, we have distributed over 4,000 small business grants to the tune of 999 million Guyana dollars, so this shows that your government continues to support small businesses,” Minister Walrond said.

Meanwhile, CEO Mohamed Shazim Ibrahim stated that the SBB has a strong commitment to facilitating the continuous growth and balanced expansion of micro and small businesses across local industries. According to him, the main objective of the SBB is to generate a positive impact and provide expert guidance to businesses by allocating resources.

“Today’s grant distribution exercise is a tangible representation of the government’s dedication through the small business bureau to creating a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem,” Ibrahim said.

Vilma De Silva, Chairperson of Region Two, expressed her joy for the recipients and encouraged them to make the most of the grant.

She encouraged them to allocate the grant towards the expansion of their business, rather than using it for personal purposes. Her statement indicated that the government is fully committed to assisting small business owners in their endeavors.

Shazeeda Mohamed, a restaurant owner, was one of the many persons who was extremely happy upon receiving it. She conveyed her appreciation and shared her intention to invest her money in expanding her food-related enterprise. According to her, it arrived just when she required financial assistance.

Diaram Budhoo, the proprietor of a grocery store in Walton Hall, stated his intention to use his funds to increase his inventory of groceries. According to him, he plans to utilise it to enhance his business environment.

Jennifer Joseph stated that she manages a poultry farm and intends to spend the money on acquiring ducklings. Residing in Supenaam, Joseph expressed her intention to use her funds for business expansion. The recipients expressed their excitement and praised the government of Guyana for intervening in their small business.