— Says gov’t removing barriers, expanding opportunities, investing in care economy to support women entrepreneurs

WOMEN remain at the heart of Guyana’s economic transformation, with their contributions spanning every major sector of the economy, according to Minister of Public Service, Government Efficiency and Implementation, Zulfikar Ally.
The minister, however, noted the need to remove barriers that continue to hinder women’s full participation in business and emerging industries.
Speaking at the Women’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry (WCCI) Business Brunch and Finance Seminar on Saturday at the World Trade Centre, Ally said women are not only creating jobs and building successful enterprises but are also helping to shape the country’s development through innovation, leadership and community engagement.
Addressing women entrepreneurs and industry leaders, Ally emphasised that Guyana’s economic growth must be as equitable as it is rapid.
“As His Excellency President Ali has consistently emphasised, the objective of this transformation is not merely economic growth. This transformation aims to create a modern, diversified, resilient and inclusive economy that delivers opportunities for all Guyanese,” he said.
“For this vision to be realised, it requires all of our participation, both in the private sector and government. It requires that every Guyanese play their part to meaningfully contribute to the economic development of our country.”
The government, he noted, is working to build an economy in which businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, women-owned businesses and emerging entrepreneurs, have the capacity to grow, compete, innovate and access capital.
Ally highlighted the growing role of women in Guyana’s economy, noting that they continue to emerge as leaders across virtually every sector.
“Today, women are leading businesses across every sector that you can think about. Whether it’s in agriculture, agro-processing, logistics, tourism, professional services, women are in those businesses, in those fields, and they’re leading them,” he said.
Despite these achievements and the significant growth of women in business over the last decade, the minister acknowledged that barriers remain.
He pointed to the continued underrepresentation of women in sectors such as oil and gas and other rapidly growing industries. He also highlighted the disproportionate share of unpaid care responsibilities that women continue to shoulder within households and communities.
While women continue to play a critical role in community development, Ally stressed that Guyana’s progress would not be possible without their contribution and hard work.
This, he said, is why the government continues to prioritise women’s inclusion in business and economic development.
“In every policy that we implement, it is a policy that is geared towards the inclusivity of women. When you look at it, when you check any policy that we’ve done within the last five or six years, it has always been to the benefit of not only all Guyanese, but men and women,” he said.
The minister noted that the government has long recognised that social development and economic development are inseparable.
He explained that care work, traditionally carried out by women, must also be recognised as an important component of economic development.
“One of the defining features of our development agenda has been a recognition of the care economy as a critical pillar of national development,” Ally said.
He noted that while care work has historically been viewed solely as a social responsibility, the reality is that families, communities and economies function because that work exists.
As part of the government’s efforts to support families and create economic opportunities, particularly for women, a new co-investment model is being developed to support the establishment of home-based and community care centres.
Under the initiative, individuals and groups will receive assistance to establish childcare and elderly care facilities that provide affordable services while creating jobs and empowering communities.
Participants in the programme will benefit from co-investment financing from the government, free training in childcare and elderly care, business mentorship and technical support to help operate safe and sustainable facilities.
Ally said the programme is expected to see childcare and elderly care centres established in communities across the country.
“We will help you fix up your facilities to internationally accepted standards as a daycare facility or an elderly care facility. The Government of Guyana will also pay a part of the fees that have to be paid so you know that you will have that income at the end of the day,” he said.
“And what this will do is ensure that you can go to work and your kids and your elderly parents will be well taken care of.”
While the initiative is expected to benefit many women, the minister emphasised that it is open to both women and men.
He said the programme reflects the government’s broader commitment to creating opportunities, supporting entrepreneurship and ensuring that all Guyanese can participate meaningfully in the country’s ongoing economic transformation.