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The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s (GCCI) Business Development Forum (BDF) 2025 was successfully executed on November 13 and 14 at the Pegasus Suites and Corporate Centre, with keen attention being paid to the advancement of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSME).

The two-day event featured an expert line-up of presenters and panelists who delved into areas such as Environmental and Social Governance (ESG), Sustainability, Diversification, Finance and Investment, and Export Readiness.

In her welcome remarks on Day One, President of the GCCI, Mrs. Kathy Smith reflected on the origin of the Forum, sharing, “When the Business Development Forum was first envisioned, the objective was to create a platform to allow entrepreneurs in Guyana to access invaluable knowledge on establishing their business and growing their businesses, while also nurturing networking and knowledge-sharing.”

She noted that in developing the framework for this year’s event, special consideration was given for MSMEs, as well as the understanding that Guyana’s business landscape continues to evolve alongside the economy and in order for businesses to survive and thrive, they would need the knowledge and guidance on navigating planning for their businesses’ development and sustainability.

“Guyana’s rapid pace of development is unmatched. The government continues to roll out developmental projects and initiatives, while streamlining systems for increased efficiency and a diversified economy—and the private sector as the beating heart of the economy must keep up. We need to not only match the speed and energy, but also maintain momentum. As the economy evolves, our businesses must reflect this in how we meet the rising demands, and how we fine-tune our products and services to grow with the country. Sustainability is important and planning is key,” she iterated.

Executive Chairman of Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL), Mr. Komal Samaroo—who delivered the keynote address on Day One reflected on the history of DDL and how the company diversified its product offering based on careful contemplation of efficiency and waste minimalization and monetisation.

In his address to entrepreneurs, he emphasised the importance of prudent business management—particularly as it relates to finances. “If you have a business and you don’t have financial statements, you don’t have a business. The business is not you…the business is a separate entity,” he stated, adding, “I believe that very often, the financial considerations of what you do and the decisions you make are not factored in and given the right weight in overall decision-making process.” Further, he stressed the importance of understanding the market in which you operate as an entrepreneur, as well as the regime and regulations that guide it. Minister of Tourism, Industry, and Commerce, Hon. Susan Rodrigues in her session keynote address on Day Two reflected on the government’s commitment to value-creation and bolstering the tourism sector.

“For too long, we have been talking about adding value. It is time for us to utilise and put into practice whatever has to be done for us to realise the true value of our raw materials and local products,” she posited. She added that the country needs to transition from just being a product-based economy to being a service-based economy. She reiterated the importance of improving the service industry to advance the tourism sector, sharing that the government is undertaking several initiatives in this regard. “We have to build the resilience of our economy,” she underscored.

Session keynote speakers at the event also included: Country Representative (Guyana) of the Inter-American Development Bank, Lorena Solórzano Salazar; Deputy Secretary General, CARICOM Secretariat, Dr Armstrong Alexis, and Chief Executive Officer and Chairperson of the Board of Caribbean Container Inc., Ms. Patricia Bacchus.

The presenter and panelist line-up included Chief Investment Officer and Head of the Guyana Office for Investment, Dr. Peter Ramsaroop, MP; Director of the Local Content Secretariat, Mr. Michael Munroe; Managing Director of Guyana Americas Merchant Bank, Mr. Mr. Richard Isava; Chief Executive Officer of EveryData (Guyana) Inc., Mr. Lenard McRae; Sustainability Lead at SBM Offshore Guyana, Ms. Gwenetta Fordyce; Executive Director of the Guyana National Bureau of Standards, Mr. Trevor Bassoo; Assistant Vice President & General Manager of Massy Stores (Guyana) Inc., Mr. Christpen Bobb-Semple; Managing Director of NSA McAL Distribution Ltd., Mr. Troy Cadogan; President of Guyana Customs House Brokers and Clerks Association, Mr. Colin Moore; Founder of Shaws Media, Mr. Gregory Shaw; Founder/Owner of Ride Along GY, Ms. Cherry-Ann Greene; Senior Advisor, Communications, Strategy & Development, at Conservation International Guyana, Mr. Damian Fernandes, and Chairperson of the GCCI’s Green Economy and Tourism Committee, Mr. Mr. Delmar Walcott.

The event also received support from the Managing Director of Integrated Marketing Communications Inc., Mrs. Martina McDonald-Johnson, who served as the Mistress of Ceremonies, as well as session moderators—Chief Executive Officer of Sagacity Inc., Mr. Christopher Chapwanya; Managing Director of Cerulean Inc., Mrs. Lyndell Danzie-Black; CEO of Lodestar Inc., Ms. Kristia Ramlagan-Prescott, and Senior Vice President of the GCCI, Mr. Gavin Ramsoondar.