Over 100 small businesses in Berbice gets $150k grant

…as Small Business Bureau overwhelmed with applications

Over 100 entrepreneurs in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) on Saturday received grants at the Small Business Bureau seek to develop the capacity of small businesses in Guyana.

Some $20 million has been injected into the Region Six economy for startup and expansion to small businesses in the region as more than 30 entrepreneurs received a $150,000 grant.
The Small Business Bureau is currently on a country-wide expedition that will see some 1400 persons receiving the grants.
Last week grants were given to businesses in Region Two, on Sunday businesses in Region Ten will receive their grants and next Thursday businesses in Region Five.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Small Business Bureau Muhammed Abraham said the idea behind giving the grant to small and micro enterprises is to springboard their growth.

He noted that there are many small businesses involved in poultry rearing, farming, agro-processing and small retail shops.
“The whole idea behind this grant as with the mandate of the government is to promote entrepreneurship and with this, our focus is mainly on sustainable growth; growing business from micro to small and then to medium businesses,” Abraham said in an invited comment at the Business Incubator site at Belvedere, Corentyne where the grants were given out.
He pointed out that this year the Small Business Bureau has been overwhelmed with applications for grants.
Meanwhile, one of the beneficiaries, Vanessa Philips of Corriverton told this publication that she was going to start a retail clothing business. She said the money will be used to purchase supplies that are in the capital city of Georgetown.
However, Candina Wright of the same community said she has already started a business.
“I do knitting and I sell cosmetics, clothes and kitchen utensils since last year.”
Another recipient is Brian Felix a farmer of Corriverton. According to him he currently plants bananas and wants to move into the poultry business.
“I want to buy 100 ducks to go into that too and I am very thankful for this grant,” he told this publication.
Orin Chisolm of the East Bank Berbice who also collected a $150,000 grant on Saturday said he currently rears chickens. According to him, he currently has 150 layers and is trying to expand his poultry business.
“I want 200 and something ducks and ducks. I intend to go on the Corentyne to see if I can get them; I want some white ducks in the set. The poultry business is going slow and this money will help to give me a push. I am thankful for the grant because it would help me a lot,” he said.
Vanessa Grant of Rose Hall Town said she is about to start her new business. She says she will be starting her poultry business with 100 chickens.
All of the recipients had applied for a $500,000 and on Saturday realized that they were receiving a $150,000 grant.
According to the CEO of the Small Business Bureau, they were overwhelmed with applications for grants this year.
“Initially we give between $200,000 and $300,000 – it depends on the type of industry they have. Those who are into agro-production and agro-processing might get more. However, within the last tranche of applications, we had a huge increase. We normally get between 300 and 500 applications but we ended up getting over 2000 applications so in trying to meet a wider population and assisting more people, we ended up using a number that is more workable for the wider community.”
However, he pointed out that the Small Business Bureau does continuous registration and persons do not have to wait on a promotion by the agency to apply.
“Our focus is not only on grants. We are focused on developing businesses; sustainable growth.so, you can register and become a client at any time. We have help desks in all the different regions.”
For registration, an application needs to have compliance and business registration.
“Once you become a client you have access to our services – grants, loans…”
Additionally, the Bureau provides loans, business development plans and training for persons who are registered with the Bureau. (G4)