$140M in grants distributed to 700 small businesses in Region 6

Some 700 small business owners in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) have each received cash grants of $200,000 to assist them in their various business ventures. The 700 small business owners have received a total of $140M.
Distribution of the cash grants to small business owners coincided with National Small Business Week, which concluded on Saturday last. The distribution was held during an outreach in Region Six by Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo.
According to Jagdeo, the process to access the cash grants has been simplified. Where previously persons were required to set up their business, have Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) tax compliance certificate in place, and undergo training, those requirements have now been removed.
The Vice President explained that lowering the requirements was due to the fact that people are forced to spend money to get all requirements in order to receive the grants.
During last Saturday’s outreach, VP Jagdeo announced that a further 300 roads in the region would be upgraded. This will see $10B being given to the region. According to Jagdeo, the system being used to select those roads will see those in the worst state and those which would have the most beneficiaries being given priority.
“So, we will decide which we give priority. The first 300 would be the worst roads and those that have the most people living. Eventually, all of the others are going to be done, because next year you will have another set of roads being done. We are already halfway through this year. These would be tendered soon, and next year we will have another set,” Jagdeo said while noting that Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) would be required to assist in identifying streets to get on the list of 300.
The Vice President noted that the existence of places of worship would not be a criterion for a street to be given priority.
“Schools and hospitals and anything to do with health and roads that lead to grounds will be given priority,” Jagdeo instructed Regional officials.
Meanwhile, the Vice President also announced that another 1000 persons would be employed under Government’s part-time employment system.
Despite the malicious rumours being spread about the part-time job initiative, Jagdeo had announced earlier this year that not only would the programme continue, but the Government is in the process of expanding this initiative.
The 1000 new recruits were able to sign their contracts on Saturday, bringing to 5000 the total number of persons employed under the programme in the Berbice region.
“APNU [A Partnership for National Unity] terminated about 3000 of them in this region, and so far we have been able to rehire nearly 1700 at Rose Hall, where we are reopening the estate. So, people are getting back jobs. With these roads, the contractors in the region are getting jobs and hiring people,” the Vice President boasted. (G4)