More than 260 students from 86 schools across Guyana were introduced to business opportunities and practical skills at the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s inaugural Youth Entrepreneurship Conference.

The event was held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre and included participants as young as nine years old.

Students attended workshops on tourism and hospitality, agro-processing, marketing and public relations, the Orange Economy and entrepreneurship supported by artificial intelligence.

Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister Susan Rodrigues encouraged the students to view entrepreneurship as a viable option alongside traditional career paths.

She also urged them to see Guyana as a country where they can pursue their ambitions, establish businesses and contribute to national development.

Rodrigues said the ideas, skills and talents of young Guyanese will be important in building the country they want to live in.

The minister also highlighted the role of partnerships between the government and private sector in helping young people turn their creativity and skills into viable businesses. She encouraged parents to continue supporting their children’s interests and ambitions.

GCCI President Kathy Smith told the students that entrepreneurship is not limited to one sector or type of business.

She said the areas covered during the conference all presented opportunities to create value.

Smith also encouraged the participants to see problems as possible business opportunities and not allow their age to limit their ambitions.

Rodrigues commended the GCCI for establishing the conference and providing young Guyanese with exposure to emerging sectors.

She said the government would continue investing in education, skills development, financing and other opportunities intended to help young people realise their potential.

The event was also attended by Senior Director of the Guyana Office for Investment John Edghill, along with representatives of the Ministry of Education and the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry.