The Government of Guyana through the Small Business Bureau (SBB) on Tuesday distributed grants to 398 entrepreneurs from Region Four (Demerara- Mahaica).
Distribution of these grants were done at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre at Liliendaal, where Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Oneidge Walrond reminded of the government’s effort to provide financial assistance to citizens.
In this regard, small business owners who face challenges when setting up or expanding business are assisted. The minister said that during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Small Business Bureau distributed grants to registered businesses to cushion the effects of the pandemic.
The Small Business Bureau distributed a total of 1,500 grants last year.
“The business sector is a priority sector for our government, we understand that when your small business strives, the economy strives, we strive.
“We will continue to give support to our small businesses and we will continue to put in the budget that is coming up, we have also asked for more moneys to be put into the Business Development Fund for you,” Minister Walrond said.
Last year, Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo said some 800 applicants were to be recipients of the grants totaling $1.8 billion.
A recipient of the grant, Qladunni Hinds told the News Room that he intends to expand his food business which is operated at Plaisance, East Coast Demerara.
This financial support will be the driving factor in this operation.
He said he applied for the grant since 2020 and he is happy that his application was approved for this round of distributions.
“It’s going to help me boost a lot more.
“I want to open a catering service [because] right now I’m like a fast food service which means ministries can give me a call and I can cater,” Hinds said.
This assistance is part of the diverse progammes offered by the bureau. Several training programmes are available under the SBB to provide these individuals with opportunities to flourish and develop the economy.
