The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) today officially launched National Small Business Week (NSBW) 2026, bringing together entrepreneurs, sponsors and institutional partners for a week of activities aimed at strengthening the capacity, competitiveness and market opportunities of Guyana’s micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).
Held under the theme “Small Businesses, Big Opportunities,” the initiative runs from October 20 to 25 and features business development workshops, networking engagements, a Founders’ Talk and a two-day Expo at the Railway Courtyard, Georgetown.
During the launch at the GCCI Boardroom, President Mrs. Kathy Smith underscored the importance of small businesses to Guyana’s economic development, noting their contribution to employment, household livelihoods and the introduction of new products and services.
President Mrs. Kathy Smith highlighted the impact of initiatives like the Small Business Week intended to help “Small businesses participate in the opportunities being created and to make a significant contribution to Guyana’s economy.”
Describing MSMEs as the backbone of the country’s economy, Smith emphasised the need to recognise the sacrifices entrepreneurs make and ensure they receive the support necessary to grow.
She also pointed to the progress made by entrepreneurs who participated in previous Chamber initiatives, noting that some have since expanded their operations to the extent that the demands of managing their businesses have limited their ability to participate in similar engagements.
Since its introduction in 2022, National Small Business Week has evolved to place greater emphasis on equipping entrepreneurs with practical knowledge, stronger business connections and opportunities to access markets.
Chairperson of the GCCI’s Entrepreneurship and Small Business Committee, Mr. Christpen Bobb-Semple, explained that this year’s capacity-building workshops were developed in response to feedback received from Chamber members through a survey aimed at identifying the areas of support most relevant to their business development.
The findings informed the selection of workshop topics and the Chamber’s engagement with business support organisations to facilitate the training.
Emphasising the opportunities available to entrepreneurs regardless of their business size, Bobb-Semple stated, “You don’t have to be large in order to have a big impact or a big potential.”
He noted that the programme is intended to provide entrepreneurs with practical steps to strengthen their businesses while encouraging prospective entrepreneurs to move from developing ideas to establishing viable enterprises.
The capacity-building workshops, which will be offered free of charge, will take place on October 21 and 22, with support from several institutions.
On Wednesday, October 21, the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) will facilitate Access to Finance and Financial Management, while the Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC) will lead sessions on Business Planning and Strategy, and Costing and Product Pricing.
On Thursday, October 22, the Centre for Local Business Development (CLBD) will address Procurement, Business Growth and Leadership, including tendering, government contracts and business expansion. The Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) will facilitate a session on Quality, Standards and Certification, while the Small Business Bureau (SBB) will lead Marketing Fundamentals, focusing on digital readiness and customer engagement.
Principal Partner BRAVA by One Communications also reaffirmed its support for the initiative, highlighting the importance of technology and business development in strengthening Guyana’s small-business sector.
Speaking on behalf of BRAVA, Mr. Jamal Delve noted that businesses require more than reliable connectivity to compete and expand.
“Business owners also need the skills, the financial understanding, and the market access to turn those tools into results,” Delve stated.
He also highlighted One Communications’ announced US$25 million investment in Guyana for 2026, including the expansion of fibre and mobile connectivity infrastructure beyond Georgetown, as part of efforts to strengthen the digital services available to businesses and communities.
The week’s activities will also include a Founders’ Talk on Friday, October 23, hosted in collaboration with the University of Guyana at the SEBI Building, Turkeyen Campus. The engagement will connect university students with entrepreneurs who will share their experiences in establishing, managing and expanding businesses.
National Small Business Week will culminate with the Expo on October 24 and 25 at the Railway Courtyard, Georgetown, providing a platform for local enterprises to showcase their products and services, engage potential customers, generate sales and build business relationships.
The Expo will accommodate up to 100 exhibitors, with an exhibitor contribution of GYD $10,000 for an 8 ft × 8 ft booth space. Admission will be free to the public.
During the launch, Smith encouraged the public to support participating entrepreneurs, stressing that increased consumer engagement and market visibility are essential to the continued development of local enterprises.
The GCCI also acknowledged the support of BRAVA as Principal Partner, alongside Growth Sponsors Guyana Beverages Inc. and Guyana Deepwater Operations Inc.
The Chamber further recognised its Opportunity Sponsors: Guiana Holding Inc., Scoop Ride Inc., Giftland OfficeMax, Massy Stores (Guyana) Inc., and Republic Bank Guyana Limited.
The Chamber encourages entrepreneurs to participate in the remaining activities and invites the public to attend the NSBW Expo on October 24 and 25 to discover and support locally owned businesses.
