GCCI pushes MSME development at 5th Business Development Forum

The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s (GCCI) Business Development Forum (BDF) 2025 was successfully hosted on November 13 and 14 at the Pegasus Suites and Corporate Centre, with keen attention being paid to the advancement of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSME).
The two-day event featured an expert line-up of presenters and panellists who delved into areas such as Environmental and Social Governance (ESG), Sustainability, Diversification, Finance and Investment, and Export Readiness.
In her welcome remarks on Day One, President of the GCCI, Kathy Smith, reflected on the origin of the Forum, sharing, “When the Business Development Forum was first envisioned, the objective was to create a platform to allow entrepreneurs in Guyana to access invaluable knowledge on establishing their business and growing their businesses, while also nurturing networking and knowledge-sharing.”
She noted that in developing the framework for this year’s event, special consideration was given to MSMEs, as well as the understanding that Guyana’s business landscape continues to evolve alongside the economy, and in order for businesses to survive and thrive, they would need the knowledge and guidance on planning for their businesses’ development and sustainability.
“Guyana’s rapid pace of development is unmatched. The Government continues to roll out developmental projects and initiatives while streamlining systems for increased efficiency and a diversified economy – and the private sector, as the beating heart of the economy, must keep up. We need to not only match the speed and energy but also maintain momentum. As the economy evolves, our businesses must reflect this in how we meet the rising demands and how we fine-tune our products and services to grow with the country.  Sustainability is important, and planning is key,” she stated.

Executive Chairman of Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL), Komal Samaroo – who delivered the keynote address on Day One – reflected on the history of DDL and how the company diversified its product offering based on careful focus on efficiency, and on reducing and monetising waste
In his address to entrepreneurs, he emphasised the importance of prudent business management – particularly as it relates to finances. “If you have a business and you don’t have financial statements, you don’t have a business. The business is not you… The business is a separate entity,” he stated, adding, “I believe that very often, the financial considerations of what you do and the decisions you make are not factored in and given the right weight in the overall decision-making process.”
Further, he stressed the importance of understanding the market in which you operate as an entrepreneur, as well as the regime and regulations that guide it.
Tourism, Industry, and Commerce Minister Susan Rodrigues, in her session keynote address on Day Two, reflected on the Government’s commitment to value creation and bolstering the tourism sector.
“For too long, we have been talking about adding value. It is time for us to utilise and put into practice whatever has to be done for us to realise the true value of our raw materials and local products,” she posited. She added that the country needs to transition from just being a product-based economy to being a service-based economy. She reiterated the importance of improving the service industry to advance the tourism sector, sharing that the Government is undertaking several initiatives in this regard. “We have to build the resilience of our economy,” she underscored.
Session keynote speakers at the event also included Country Representative (Guyana) of the Inter-American Development Bank, Lorena Solórzano Salazar; Deputy Secretary General, CARICOM Secretariat, Dr Armstrong Alexis; and Chief Executive Officer and Chairperson of the Board of Caribbean Container Inc, Patricia Bacchus.