Movable assets as collateral to drive local enterprise, boost investment – WUSC Country Coordinator

With Guyana’s Collateral Registry now fully in operation – a landmark development in advancing financial inclusion, transparency, and security within the country’s business environment – the World University Service of Canada’s (WUSC) Country Coordinator for the Sustainable Agriculture in the Caribbean Project, Donald Cole, has highlighted that the new framework will significantly enhance access to finance for farmers, women entrepreneurs, and small business owners – ultimately driving national development and investment.
The registry, established under the Security Interest in Movable Property Act, No. 20 of 2024, allows individuals and businesses to use movable property such as vehicles, equipment, inventory, consumer goods, farm products, petroleum or minerals, and receivables as collateral when seeking loans or credit.
The initiative forms part of the Government of Guyana’s broader efforts to improve access to credit, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), women entrepreneurs, and vulnerable groups by expanding the range of assets that can be used to secure financing.
It also represents a major milestone in President Dr Irfaan Ali’s Government digital transformation agenda within the financial sector, reflecting its commitment to modernising systems, enhancing efficiency, and promoting greater accessibility to financial services across the country.
During his address at the launch of the Micro Women Entrepreneur Learning Centre, held on Tuesday in Georgetown, Cole explained that the registry is vital for empowering entrepreneurs who have traditionally been excluded from formal financing due to the lack of fixed assets.
“Across the system, finance and policy are moving too. Banks are adopting products and advice for smallholders. The new framework on movable collateral helps unlock credit for equipment, crops and livestock. In Region Five, processing services are helping producers turn cassava into flour. Fruits into juices and pepper into sauces that meet standards,” Cole said.
Highlighting tangible progress under the Sustainable Agriculture in the Caribbean Project, Cole revealed that over 2500 producers have already started using these services, with activities now extended across Regions Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), Four (Demerara-Mahaica), Five (Mahaica-Berbice), Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) and Ten (Upper Demerara-Berbice).
“More than 2500 producers have already started using these services. And activity now reaches Regions Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, and 10. This is how we measure progress. Not by workshops held, but by what we get adopted, expanded and reinforced by institutions. The centre will help those links faster and clearer so that goods produced reach buyers, and buyers can trust the standards behind them. Our ask is very straightforward. Use the centre. Share expertise. Join the buyer-seller sessions. Support the training calendar with guest lectures, site visits and mentorships. Help entrepreneurs navigate certification, finance and logistics. Small improvements at each step add up to better incomes and more resilient communities,” he added.