More than 13,000 SMEs empowered through training, funding

A small exhibitor sat behind her products

More than 13,000 Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) have received training, and nearly 4,000 have benefited from small business grants worth $1 billion over the past five years, reflecting a period of significant growth for small businesses in Guyana.

Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister, Susan Rodrigues highlighted these achievements during the opening of GuyExpo 2025 at the National Exhibition Centre in Sophia, Georgetown, on Thursday evening.

Through the Small Business Bureau (SBB), over 13,000 small businesses have been equipped with key training opportunities. In 2025 alone, “over 2,700 small businesses received training, bringing the total number trained since 2020, to more than 13,000,” the minister said.

She added that nearly 4,000 businesses have benefited from small business grants, resulting in a $1 billion investment. This, she said, has allowed small enterprises to grow into competitive businesses operating in local and global markets.

“That is the real story of Guyana’s economic growth,” she said.

Minister Rodrigues described the exposition as a reflection of Guyana’s development trajectory since 2020, which she said has been driven by “innovation, investment, and resilience.”

She urged exhibitors to maximise the opportunities at the investment forum. “This is your stage, your opportunity to shine,” she told local enterprises.

With more than 100,000 visitors expected over the coming days, she encouraged businesses to be confident in promoting their work. “Be bold in telling your story, be proud of your products and services,” Minister Rodrigues said.

Themed “Transformation through Entrepreneurship and Innovation,” GuyExpo will run from November 13 to 16, with a strong focus on local manufacturing. (DPI)