The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) on Tuesday, October 28, commissioned its Micro and Women Entrepreneur Learning Centre—a groundbreaking facility that will support the growth and development of businesses with keen attention to women-owned and women-led businesses, and farmers.
Located on the middle floor of the GCCI, the facility features a training room, boardroom, and three offices that will house technical officers who will support the beneficiaries through a wide range of services including capacity building in areas including but not limited to business development, marketing, preparation of proposals, financial education, and compliance. The Centre was developed through a partnership with the World University Services of Canada (WUSC) with funding from Global Affairs Canada.
Speaking at the event, President of the GCCI, Mrs. Kathy Smith stated that the Centre was birthed from “a bold idea built on the foundation of a strong desire to see Micro and women-led businesses, as well as farmers, thrive and develop sustainably.” The Centre, the President emphasised, is evidence of the GCCI’s strong commitment to the development and success of Guyana’s business landscape at every level. “This facility represents an opportunity—an opportunity for MSMEs in Guyana to access invaluable training and information. And I am not speaking of just members of the GCCI. Any woman entrepreneur or farmer can walk up these stairs and access our portfolio of services and support,” she underscored.
WUSC Country Coordinator for the Sustainable Agriculture in the Caribbean Project, Mr. Donald Cole noted that GCCI, WUSC, and the Ministry of Agriculture have a longstanding partnership to propel the inclusive market system into practice. “That collaboration has grown into platforms like Guyana Agri Connect and events such as the Agriculture Symposium where more than 130 stakeholders came together to align public and private action. The Centre being opened here today is a practical next step in that journey,” he stated. Mr. Cole explained that the Centre is designed to provide practical tools and tailored mentoring for beneficiaries that will yield results. “It offers training in business fundamentals, digital tools, food security, food safety and quality, and sustainable production. It is also a place to test products, showcase them, and meet buyers and service providers,” he told attendees.
Representing the High Commission of Canada, Head of Cooperation, Mr. Adam Loyer in his remarks posited that the Centre is an investment by the GCCI into the future of Guyana’s agriculture and entrepreneurs. “Through this initiative, the GCCI is demonstrating how the private sector and civil society can serve as catalysts for inclusive development, bringing together farmers, buyers, service providers, and financiers into one ecosystem.,” he noted as he urged stakeholders to support the Centre’s initiatives.
Meanwhile, in his feature address, Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Zulfikar Mustapha reflected on the GCCI’s support for the development of the agriculture sector and stated that the Centre stands as a beacon of opportunity for empowerment and innovation. He explained that the launch of the Centre coincides with the government’s strategy to modernise the infrastructure within the sector and create training opportunities. “This Learning Centre is more than just a physical space—it is a space of potential, a space where ideas can become enterprises and enterprises can become engines of sustainable growth for our nation,” he stressed.
He pointed out that a 2022 survey revealed that women account for 33 percent of farmers, and it is the government’s objective to have 50 percent of new agriculture ventures be led by women and youth by 2030. “By fostering collaboration and continuous learning, this Centre will help ensure that our agriculture and business sectors grow together, strengthening food security, supporting job creation, and expanding private sector development. The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry deserves tremendous credit for their foresight and leadership in establishing this initiative,” he stated.
Junior Vice President and Chairman of the GCCI’s Agriculture Committee, Mr. Brian Edwards—who has been leading on the execution of the Chamber’s efforts to bolster the agriculture sector—remarked that the Centre marks a new era in agriculture and entrepreneurship for Guyana’s transformation, defined by collaboration, innovation, and inclusion. “This initiative embraced the Inclusive Market Systems approach, which challenges us to go beyond quick fixes and instead addresses the barrier of market exclusion and fragmentation. Inclusive Market Systems teaches us that strengthening agricultural value chains must place small farmers, processors, women, youth, and marginalised groups at the heart of solutions. It promotes scalable, lasting change through empowerment, not dependency. But true transformation requires a foundation, a starting point that creates enabling conditions for systemic change,” he highlighted. Further, Mr. Edwards asserted that the Centre will empower entrepreneurs to capitalise on opportunities by nurturing innovation and expanding networks, especially among women and youth who are vital to sustaining this growth.
The development of the Centre was the result of collaboration, partnership, and the support of the business community. Contributions were received from Metro Office and Computer Supplies, Giftland OfficeMax, AdNation Guyana, Lodestar Incorporated, Pinnacle Solutions Incorporated, Dynotech Construction Chemicals Incorporated, Green State Oil and Gas Services Incorporated, Guyana Payroll Solutions Incorporated, Comfort Sleep, Brava, Professional Print and Design, Unicomer Guyana Incorporated, J.R.P Contracting Services, and ExxonMobil Guyana.
