GDI seeks to forge partnerships with Harvard University to support Guyana’s transformation
– holds discussions with member of Harvard Business School
The American Chamber of Commerce of Guyana (AmCham Guyana) and the Guyana Development Initiative (GDI) recently hosted Dr Christian Ketels from the Harvard Business School for a compelling presentation on “Company Strategy and the Role of the Private Sector in Guyana’s Development.”
The event was held on Tuesday last at the Guyana Marriott Hotel, marking a successful collaboration between the two organisations.
A member of the audience making a point
Dr Ketels’ expertise and experience cover a wide area, including the foundations of long-term growth, the role of location and macroeconomic factors in company success, clusters and cluster-based policies, and regional and innovation policies, and his presentation touched on critical issues for fostering sustainable growth in the private sector considering Guyana’s national context.
Dr Christian Ketels addressing the PSC
Key points that resonated with the audience included the need for strategic thinking, enhancing operational effectiveness, leveraging partnerships to accelerate change, and strengthening the enabling environment.
A section of the gathering at Tuesday’s event
The presentation brought together a diverse audience of AmCham Guyana’s membership, representatives from the wider Guyana private sector, and other key stakeholders including representatives of the diplomatic community.
The success of the AmCham Guyana and GDI collaboration was further emphasised by a Private Sector Breakfast Meeting with Dr Ketels on Thursday, which brought together leading players in various sectors to better understand the needs of the private sector and other priority issues in relation to private sector growth.
Dr Christian Ketels in discussion with one of the attendees
Among the key areas discussed was the increased role that private sector leaders and business support organisations can play in addressing skills gap and retention of labour, providing mentorship and training support to local businesses to equip them with tools and knowledge in specific areas such as company strategy and business planning, and strategically working with the Government on the priority areas for private sector development.
Members of the private sector at the engagement on Thursday
The GDI, a project led by the Institute for Strategy and Competitiveness at Harvard Business School to provide technical and strategic assistance on initiatives in priority areas, highlighted its ongoing partnership with the Government of Guyana.
GDI is seeking to leverage Harvard resources and build partnerships with Harvard University to support Guyana’s developmental efforts. The visit of Dr Ketels is one initiative with the private sector, and an early step in identifying specific areas to support the private sector capacity development needs.
