Guyanese businesswomen head to New Orleans for exchange programme

Several local female entrepreneurs will be heading to the United States to participate in a four-day Women in Business Trade Exchange Programme – Advancing Women in Business – this week.
The programme will be held in New Orleans from April 19 to 22, and hosted by the Louisiana District Export Council, Jones Walker LLP and Techniques International.
Director of Communications for the Women’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry Guyana, Anita Ramprasad said this is the first Women in Business Trade Exchange.
“It is a reverse trade exchange. Typically, trade missions come from other countries into Guyana and they are hosted by the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce, the United States Embassy or through a Government Ministry. It allows businesses to participate in various business building session,” she noted.
Ramprasad explained that the business leadership exchange is somewhat different as it focuses primarily on women.
“Through a collaboration with the Women’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry Guyana, our partners in Louisiana reached out and planned the event that will afford women the opportunity to travel, sit and experience a trade mission from a different perspective,” she stated.
According to Ramprasad, the women participating in the trade exchange represent various sectors. These include logistics, marketing, consultancy and construction, among others.
“Each of these women is at a point in their business life where they are looking to do what they now do, better; expand, grow or leverage what they have, to venture into something new,” she pointed out.
The exchange programme will see the group participate in business meetings, round table discussions and networking opportunities that could further develop their businesses. The delegation will also hold discussions with US leaders and stakeholders on business opportunities in Guyana.
The women participating are: President of the Women’s Chamber Commerce and Industry, Rowena Elliot; Business Development Manager at SocialRank Media/ACE Consultancy, Arifa Mohamed; CEO/Owner of Signature Move Marketing Agency, Ulex Smith; CEO/Owner of Supreme Laundromat and Office Cleaning Services, Donna Rickford; Co-Founder and CEO of Georgetown American University, Dr Melissa Varswyk; Associate Manager at Global Logistics and Business Services Inc, Beverly Whittaker; President/CEO of Global Logistics and Business Services Inc, Nicola Whittaker; Managing Director at B&J Civil Works, Josephine Tapp, and Rampersaud, who is also the Founder/CEO of Prestige Management Consultant.
This delegation was selected after an invitation was sent to business chambers countrywide with the hope of attracting nominees from women-owned and operated businesses. The delegation will leave Guyana on Tuesday.
According to the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce website, the ‘Guyana to New Orleans Exchange’ programme is geared toward Louisiana companies interested in entering the Guyana market, or firms who are already there and looking to broaden their network.
In November 2022, 22 firms from across several US states including Louisiana visited Guyana to engagement local stakeholders in key sectors such as generation equipment, cybersecurity, automotive, building and construction materials, energy, and oil and gas.
The delegation, led by the Louisiana District Export Council Trade Mission, had a busy schedule of meetings and market briefings to understand the business environment in Guyana.
They also met with a number of senior Government officials including President Dr Irfaan Ali, during which the Louisiana trade delegation learned about the Guyana Government’s efforts to promote investment and economic diversification, explore market entry strategies, foster partnerships, and develop closer trade and investment ties between Guyana and the US.
After more than 30 engagements, the Louisiana delegation was impressed with Guyana’s private sector and the opportunities for partnerships with local organisations. (G8)