$100M business incubator center commissioned in Berbice

…‘commissioning’ by APNU/AFC was a “farce” to “fool Berbicians” – Commerce Minister

Tourism, Industry, and Commerce Minister Oneidge Walrond on Tuesday re-commissioned the Berbice Business Incubator Center which was refurbished to the tune of $100 million.
The business incubator center situated at Belvedere Industrial site, Corentyne, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) was ‘commissioned’ in February 2020 by the then Business Minister, Hemraj Rajkumar.
On Tuesday, Walrond referred to that ‘commissioning’ as being a farce saying that Tuesday’s ceremony was the real launching.
“Because in February 2020, in another dispensation, there was a purported launching which was nothing more than a farce! an attempt to fool Berbicians and the nation,” Minister Walrond said adding that it was just a ceremony.
“The problem was that at that purported commissioning, people attending could have only been shown pictures of what the centre could look like. There was no equipment, no furniture, no staff, no budget! In fact, there was nothing here but an empty building.”
She said under the previous administration, there as a lack of political will, a lack of strategic direction, a lack of insight and a lack of concern for the people of this region.

“This lack of concern was why sugar estates in this region were abruptly closed and more than 4000 Berbicians were placed on the breadline. We have re-employed almost 2000 of these workers.”
Speaking of the business incubator center, the Minister said it is ready for operations.
According to Minister Waldron, now the various pods have been outfitted with high-quality agro-processing machinery which include production lines for coconut oil, teas, indigenous flours and packaged fruit products.
She said the equipment in the facility includes coconut de-shelling and grinding machines, teabag packaging equipment, filling machines and a root tuber peeler, for the washing and peeling of ground provisions.
The production line for indigenous flours includes a dehydrator and mill which can also be used for the production of dried seasonings.
Beyond the commissioning she noted, the Ministry, through the Small Business Bureau, will continue to examine ways to expand the operations.
A warehouse facility is soon to be added and more staff will be employed to facilitate.
According to Walrond, Region Six now has access to a top-class agro-processing facility that allows small entrepreneurs to boost their production capacity.
“We have a comprehensive plan for the social and economic development of these regions, both East and West Berbice. And I wish to assure you, that your government will continue to invest heavily in this region as we will in all regions, because we care for all of the citizens of our country… Berbicians should have access to similar resources and opportunities as are available in Georgetown. So too should residents of Linden, Leonora, Bath, Bartica, Charity, Mahdia, Mabaruma or any other community in our country.”
Meanwhile, Region Six Chairman, David Armagon pointed one that over the last couple of yours there has been a renewed interested in business in Region Six.
He said government had recognised this and has since been organizing programs to assist small businesses ensuring that persons who want to take advantage of this new development are given the opportunity to do so.
Noting that many small businesses have been developing, Armogan referred to many of them as being ‘bottom house businesses.
“What we call cottage industries.”
What is being done at the business incubator center he referred to as being more scientific.
Because of the incubator, young entrepreneurs; persons who are interested in processing and developing their product can have the opportunity to be exposed to new technological developments and new processing facilities.
“And in a way that is pleasing to the eye and that is easily marketable.”
The Chairman pointed out that packaging has been one of the big issues facing small manufactures, noting that what catches the eye of the consumer is the packaging and not necessarily the taste.
“We produce almost on a daily basis under the cottage industry many good products, but unfortunately the presentation of these products cannot be compared to the ones that we are importing. That is what this business incubator that has been established is intended to do – to be able to provide the technology and the opportunity to help small businesses that are growing and are involved in agro-processing and other different forms of producing goods that are for human consumption.”
Already a batch of twenty small businesses are benefiting from the facility which include packaging, drying bottling and labeling.
There is no charge to use the facility and entrepreneurs are also learning to use the latest technology. (G4)