“Entrepreneurs Connect” hosted to mobilise young professionals

More than 100 entrepreneurs, government officials, and development partners gathered on Friday evening for the inaugural Entrepreneurs Connect: March Mixer, hosted by the Guyana Youth Entrepreneurship Chamber (GYEC). Organizers described the event as the first step in a structured, long-term effort to anchor young Guyanese professionals within the country’s expanding economy.
The event, hosted at the GAICO Construction Building on New Market Street, Georgetown, drew a wide cross-section of public and private sector leaders, including Labour Minister Keoma Griffith, MP; Chief Investment Officer, Dr. Peter Ramsaroop, MP; and James Bond, MP. Private sector representatives included Josephine Tapp, President of the Women’s Chamber of Commerce; Govindra Raghubansi, Executive Director of the GMSA; Samantha Reid, President of the Berbice Chamber; Richard Leo, Executive Director of AmCham Guyana; and Lorena Salazar, IDB Country Representative in Guyana. Representatives from Brand Youth Global and the Center for Local Business Development were also in attendance.
The evening, chaired by GYEC Senior Vice-President, Juliana Lopes, focused on mobilizing youth for national economic development. Speakers including Josephine Tapp and Selwyn Collins, Founder and CEO of Brand Youth Global, commended the Chamber’s initiative and pledged institutional support for upcoming programmes.
GYEC Junior Vice-President, Khishan Singh emphasized the Chamber’s mandate: “Our goal is to give young entrepreneurs the opportunity, mould them and give them every bit of access we can to ensure Guyana stays on track.”
In the featured address, Dr. Ramsaroop encouraged young professionals to invest their careers locally. “If I was 18, 19, 20 or 21 today, I would not leave this country,” he said, highlighting expanding opportunities and the growing demand for local talent. He also stressed the importance of networks and mentorship, noting that personal ambition alone is insufficient without structured collaboration and shared knowledge.
Meanwhile, GYEC Executive Director, Dennon Lewiss said, “Tonight [Friday] marks the beginning of partnerships that will create opportunities, businesses that will shape industries, and leaders who will define generations.”
The Chamber credited its President, Dr Rosh Khan, for the vision and leadership that led to the founding of GYEC and the assembly of its core membership. Under his guidance, the organization aims to serve as a credible platform connecting youth entrepreneurship with private sector interests and national development priorities.
GYEC plans to hold a series of similar events and is inviting youth entrepreneurs, professionals, and corporate partners to participate in future initiatives.