GCCI partners with ExxonMobil Guyana and ACE Consulting Group for BSO Roundtable Discussion
Access to finance, challenges and solutions, and potential collaborative actions in this regard were key areas in a crucial discourse during the Business Support Organisations (BSO) Roundtable Discussion on May 30, which was executed through a partnership among ExxonMobil Guyana Limited, the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), and ACE Consulting Group.
President of the GCCI, Mrs. Kathy Smith; Treasurer and Councillor, Mrs. Melisa McRae-George, and Executive Member and Councillor, Mr. Richard Rambarran participated in the discussion at the Guyana Marriott Hotel that saw the attendance of representatives of various BSOs in Guyana.
This initiative was designed to facilitate discussions on strengthening the capacity and coordination of Guyana’s private sector in addressing challenges. It also aimed to identify shared investment priorities and explore strategies to enhance collaboration amid the country’s sustained economic development.
Mrs. Smith provided an overview of access to finance for private sector, giving key insights into challenges faced by businesses with emphasis on the nuances of micro and small businesses in this regard. She also pointed to the initiatives undertaken by the GCCI to build members’ capacity, particularly to increase their bankability by ensuring that they are compliant with the requirements of financial institutions and the laws of Guyana. Mrs. McRae-George shared some of the recent interventions of the Chamber that were aligned with this objective, including presentations that were held in collaboration with ministries and government agencies. Meanwhile, Mr. Rambarran provided a candid perspective on the challenges facing local businesses in accessing financing.
President of ExxonMobil Guyana, Mr. Alistair Routledge in his remarks stated that this meeting aims to identify the cross-cutting issues that continue to be a challenge and formulate a collective solution to addressing them. Similar sentiments were expressed by President of ACE Consulting Group and Councillor of the GCCI, Dr. Rosh Khan, who said that it is anticipated that the meeting would be the first in a series of high-impact, high-purpose engagements and discussions and conversations all with the aim of fostering private sector dialogue and increasing private sector collaboration.
