$181M Lethem facility commissioned to drive agro-processing, small business growth 

The Lethem Business Incubator Centre and Agro-Processing Facility in Lethem, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Essequibo), constructed at a whopping $181 million, was commissioned on Saturday by Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Susan Rodrigues.
This milestone represents a significant boost to entrepreneurship, agro-processing, and the growth of small businesses in Guyana’s hinterland regions.
The facility includes several pieces of equipment and a loading ramp for trucks. Minister Rodrigues described the investment as a transformative initiative that will create new opportunities for innovation, enterprise development, and economic growth in Region Nine.

The facility was developed by the Tourism, Industry and Commerce Ministry and implemented by the Small Business Bureau (SBB) and forms part of the Government’s broader strategy to strengthen small- and medium-sized enterprises, expand economic participation, and unlock the productive potential of communities across Guyana.
«This incubator will transform how agricultural output is utilised in this region. Farmers will no longer be limited to selling perishable goods. With access to equipment such as dehydrators, blow moulding machines, auger packing machines, and industrial blenders, products can now be processed, preserved, and packaged to meet market demand,» Rodrigues stated.
She added that the facility is intended to serve as a launchpad for entrepreneurs, providing a dedicated space where value-added products can be developed, refined, and prepared for wider markets.

Further, she noted, the centre was designed to address a critical gap in the local production chain by giving agro-processors and small business owners access to the infrastructure needed to improve product quality, extend shelf life, and increase market readiness.
Rodrigues also encouraged entrepreneurs, agro-processors, and small business owners in Region Nine to fully utilise the facility and take advantage of the opportunities it presents for innovation, expansion, and long-term growth.
The facility is expected to play a critical role in supporting agro-entrepreneurship in Region Nine, strengthening local value chains, encouraging product development, and creating pathways for sustainable economic growth in the region.