President Ali pledges more public spaces to boost small businesses and community life

President Dr Irfaan Ali has announced that more public spaces and facilities will soon be developed in commercial areas across the country to support recreation, vending, and the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

“In every commercial area, we will create public spaces and facilities to support recreation, vending and small and medium-sized enterprises,” the President said.

“This would ensure safe, high-quality infrastructure to support this important segment of the economy. The objective is to stimulate business opportunities and enhance the environment.”

The initiative is part of a broader national drive to improve public infrastructure and economic opportunity, particularly for grassroots entrepreneurs and communities.

Efforts to expand access to safe recreational spaces are already underway through the Office of the First Lady, Arya Ali, who is spearheading the National Beautification Project.

The project, being executed in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Works and corporate sponsors, involves the creation of public parks in several regions across the country.

In a related development, Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo recently disclosed that the government is examining ways to relocate commercial operations currently situated in residential areas. Many of these businesses emerged in such areas due to a historical lack of zoning regulations.

Dr Jagdeo indicated that one of the proposed solutions includes developing small parks in the backlands of villages, where small business owners can operate without disturbing the peace and quiet of residential communities.