LEADERS in the business sector, small business owners and entrepreneurs across Guyana are celebrating Budget 2026, which promises significant relief through tax eliminations, increased thresholds, and expanded financing options.
From agro-processors to retailers, entrepreneurs are expressing optimism about the budget’s potential to strengthen their operations and boost growth.
With many Guyanese assessing their place in this year’s national budget, President of the Berbice Chamber of Commerce, Samantha Reid, highlighted the inclusiveness of the budget, stating that it caters for all Guyana and is equipped with tools to help build and sustain Guyanese businesses.
“As President of the Berbice Chamber of Commerce, I welcome Budget 2026. The economic development that’s going to derive from such a transformational budget, it is astounding. First, let me get into the economic stability that it will create, the business, the small businesses that are going to get enhanced help, and the communities that will foster growth and development,” she said.
Moreover, she added that beyond businesspeople and direct impact, the budget caters for vulnerable groups and will see development outside of business, highlighting planned injection into infrastructure and care for vulnerable communities, along with cash support programmes that increase consumer spending, a key benefit for small businesses.
Recent years have seen massive growth in the number of agro-processors present in Guyana.
Entrepreneur and agro-processor Doranie Camacho said the removal of corporate tax has been a highlight of the budget for her, emphasising the strategic development outlined in the budget.
“As an agro-processor and business owner, I’m excited and thrilled with the announcement of the removal of corporate tax for agro-processors in the 2026 budget,” she said.
Similarly, fellow agro-processor Daniel Anthony said the elimination of taxes for agri-businesses would have a profound impact on small businesses as this move would create more space for them to invest and grow alongside Guyana’s economy.
“As a small businessowner, I want to welcome the 2026 budget due to the elimination of taxes on agri-businesses, and I really think that it complements the small businesses operation as a whole,” he shared.
Small business owner Dawn Skepmire highlighted one of the pioneering additions to the budget, the increase of the tax threshold. The raising of the threshold will put money back in the pockets of Guyanese, and for business owners it improves investment capabilities.
“The 2026 budget has really helped me as a small business owner because of the threshold, they raised the threshold, it’s more income in my pocket, so that would be very good for me,” she shared.
Fellow entrepreneur and agro-processor Nickeisha Roberts expressed similar sentiments, sharing, “As a small business owner and agro-processor to be exact, because of the 2026 budget, I’m able to save more money in my pocket.”
Policies like these would greatly benefit the business community. Lower taxes ensure more money can be invested back into the business, ensuring growth and a better quality of business and life.
Additionally, the budget’s support for local production and special development zones further strengthens opportunities for entrepreneurs to scale and access wider markets.
