New features as CLBD rebrands online business directory

The Centre for Local Business Development (CLBD) has relaunched its online business directory portal that will see registered businesses benefiting from new and innovative features such as a more targeted way of finding opportunities.
The Supplier Registration Portal has been rebranded as the Centre Hub – a more user-friendly and easily-accessible platform for suppliers and buyers seeking business, procurement and training opportunities as well as business-to-business (B2B) networking in Guyana.

According to CLBD Director Natasha Gaskin-Peters, this revamping of the online business directory is timely and in keeping with the technological advancements since the portal was launched in 2017.
“With all technology, updates and upgrades are necessary,” she noted. Consequently, the CLBD engaged stakeholders especially in the business community to ascertain where improvements are needed.
“Over the past year and a half, the Centre engaged with several local businesses through focus group discussions to get your feedback on the portal. Meetings were also held with ExxonMobil, the prime contractors [in the oil and gas industry], Government Ministries, the diplomatic community and the business associations. Based on these engagements, the portal was updated with new features,” she pointed out.
Among the new features that will benefit the 6000-plus members – three-quarters of whom are local businesses, is the use of an International Standard Industrial Classification (ISIC) coding system. Gaskin-Peters explained that the use of ISIC codes would enable businesses to have their goods and services coded to an international code thus enabling a more targeted notification of business opportunities.
“ISIC code also allows the Centre to ensure that the training to companies is mapped back to the needs of our growing economy, and companies are adequately prepared to take full advantage of the opportunities… [This ISIC] coding system is utilised by national accounts offices across the globe so it also allows for cross-country comparison,” the Director noted.
The Centre Hub also has a new B2B feature that allows registered companies to reach out to each other and possibly forge partnerships. Another feature of the upgraded portal is the automated registration of members for all training and networking events hosted by the Centre.
Moreover, the new Hub is also supporting the Government’s Local Content Secretariat with a special feature that will alert companies three months before their Local Content Certificates expire. These automated notifications will ensure that companies renew their certificates on time.
It was further noted that members’ profiles on the previous Supplier Registration Portal are automatically transferred onto the new Centre Hub so there is no need for any re-registration.
The CLBD Director posited that the Centre was also offering training sessions to registered members on how to navigate the new portal.
“Over the last two weeks, we’ve had a soft launch and so businesses have been engaging with the new platform and providing us with feedback. We’ve been answering their queries and this will continue rigorously over the next few months. So, we will be offering training on the new Centre Hub to businesses so that they could be familiar with the upgrades and ensure that they effectively utilise the platform,” she stated.
Since its establishment six years ago, Gaskin-Peters noted that this online business directory has advanced from being just a portal to allow suppliers access to procurement opportunities in the oil and gas sector to now supporting broader economic development.
“Today, we stand very proud to be unveiling the Centre Hub – Guyana’s largest online business directory which will continue to support the development of local content and local suppliers in-country,” Gaskin-Peters said.
The CLBD is Guyana’s premier source for the oil and gas industry as well as other sectors’ information, local business development, professional networking and policy advocacy. It has been meeting the growing demands of Guyanese businesses by offering training and mentoring for growth.
CLBD’s integrated approach helps Guyanese businesses benefit from offshore oil and gas opportunities and business expansion while maximising skills transfer and technology development.
The Centre is being funded under the Greater Guyana Initiative – a US$100 million pledge by Stabroek Block partners ExxonMobil Guyana along with Hess Guyana Exploration Limited and CNOOC Petroleum Limited Guyana, as part of its local content mandate. (G-8)