—Bank highlights consortium financing, low-interest loans, gov’t partnerships as tools for business expansion

COLLABORATION between financial institutions, government and entrepreneurs is emerging as a key driver of small business growth in Guyana, according to Senior Manager of Branch Network and Sales at the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI), Jewsuan Edmondson.
Speaking at the Women’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry (WCCI) Business Brunch and Finance Seminar on Saturday at the World Trade Centre, Edmondson pointed to consortium financing and targeted lending in areas such as agriculture as practical examples of how shared investment models are helping businesses access finance, grow and reduce risk.
He also underscored GBTI’s partnerships with government programmes, including low-interest agricultural financing initiatives and guarantee-backed loans through institutions such as the Small Business Bureau (SBB), as well as the bank’s GBTI Grow platform, which is designed to support entrepreneurs from start-up through expansion.
Speaking on the importance of partnerships from the banking perspective, Edmondson told the gathering of entrepreneurs and industry leaders that consortium arrangements remain among the most effective mechanisms for business expansion, particularly in an environment where entrepreneurs bring different strengths and limitations to the table.
He emphasised that collaboration remains essential for sustainability and scale, especially as Guyana’s business landscape continues to see more small businesses entering the market.
According to Edmondson, consortiums provide an effective way to leverage collective ideas, talent and capital.
“Everyone in this room might not have the same expertise. You will have different strengths and different weaknesses. But together, you become stronger,” he said.
Edmondson noted that consortiums also reflect a broader shift in how financial institutions view business development, not as an isolated effort but as a process of shared growth.
Highlighting the impact consortiums can have on small ventures seeking to expand, Edmondson said collaboration can also help address one of the most common challenges faced by entrepreneurs: unrealistic financing expectations.
He explained that many small business owners become frustrated when they do not receive the full loan amount they request. However, he stressed that banks operate within structured lending frameworks designed to ensure both the entrepreneur and the institution succeed.
“Ultimately, we want to make you get that loan, we want to make you grow your business. Getting a loan is just a first step. In banking, we have many customers who start small,” he said.
“When they grow, we also grow as well. So, it serves us no purpose if we are to keep you down. That’s a misconception. I want to get that out of the minds of people. We try our best, we share the information, but somehow there is an expectation versus what the reality is.”
Speaking on GBTI’s Grow initiative, Edmondson described it as a platform designed to bridge the financing gap for small and emerging businesses.
The programme provides entrepreneurs with access to unsecured loans of up to $2 million, alongside practical support for business owners who may not yet have formal financial records.
According to Edmondson, collaboration with the Government of Guyana has also opened up additional financing opportunities, particularly within the agriculture sector.
“Something that we have collaborated with government on as well is one of the lowest interest rate facilities out there that we have right now. It is used to do anything with poultry, be it purchasing inputs, machinery, capital expansion and so forth,” he said.
“From $100,000 to $500,000, the interest rate is about 3.5 per cent. Over that, it is five per cent, and you have a maximum term of 10 years to repay.”
He added that loans under the programme can remain unsecured up to $300,000, making financing more accessible for small-scale agricultural producers and entrepreneurs.
Edmondson said the initiative forms part of a wider effort to stimulate productive sectors while ensuring credit remains within reach of those seeking to invest and expand.
He also encouraged entrepreneurs to make greater use of other available financing mechanisms, particularly those offered through the Small Business Bureau.
“We have the Small Business Bureau out there, which I think a lot of people do not take advantage of. This is a very beneficial loan where the interest rate is six per cent. They guarantee a portion of that loan, as much as 70 per cent, depending on the case you put forward to them,” he said.
With access-to-finance tools continuing to expand and government-backed initiatives gaining momentum, Edmondson said collaboration among banks, government agencies and entrepreneurs will remain critical to fostering business growth and supporting Guyana’s economic development.