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The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) on Saturday, August 9, successfully concluded the 2025 iteration of its National Small Business Week (NSBW). This flagship event, which saw the participation of scores of businesses, entrepreneurs and students, provided an invaluable capacity-building and networking opportunity for all participants.

Following the completion of a series of workshops which benefited businesses—particularly Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSME)—in areas such as Small Business Management, Accessing Financing through the Small Business Bureau Loan Facility, Quality Management Principles, Financial Management and Record Keeping, and Marketing Fundamentals as well as the 2025 ‘Teenternship Programme’, the NSBW Seminar and Expo—held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre—featured businesses showcasing and selling their products, and marketing their services.

Hosted under the 2025 theme, “Funding Innovation: Building a Sustainable Future for MSMEs,” this event was a reaffirmation of the Chamber’s commitment to shaping an enabling environment for MSMEs, while ensuring that Guyana’s small businesses have the capacity, access, and partnerships to successfully immerse themselves in the country’s business landscape.

President of the GCCI, Mrs. Kathy S. Smith in her remarks emphasised the key characteristics that are needed in the business environment, highlighting the need for ‘R.A.P. – Resilience, Access, and Partnerships’— an essential to MSME success. “Small business owners face real challenges—from cash flow to hiring and keeping staff, market uncertainty, and limited financial resources. But you must be resilient, stay the course, and plan strategically. Your resilience keeps the economy alive,” she urged. She added that challenges of access can only be overcome when doors are opened to finance, markets, training, procurement opportunities, and support, noting, “Today, thanks to the many national efforts and committed stakeholders working together, those doors are opening wider than ever, making it possible for MSMEs to step in and grow.”

Addressing the crucial nature of partnerships and collaborations in an evolving economy, Mrs. Smith stated, “Partnerships mean working with others, the private and public sector must work together, no small business grows alone. Business Support Organisations such as the Small Business Bureau, the Chambers, banks, and established businesses must be intentional about the support they offer because small business owners deserve to be seen, supported, and given the tools to scale, not just in words, but in action.”

Communications Manager at the Ministry of Tourism, Industry, and Commerce, Mr. Cordell McClure, who delivered remarks on behalf of the Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Hon. Oneidge Walrond, highlighted multiple measurable gains for MSMEs as a result of targeted government investment including US$612 million in local content contracts awarded to Guyanese companies in 2024; 4,000 small business grants valued at $1 billion over the past five years; 181 loan guarantees and 31 loans to persons with disabilities worth $1.2 billion; and Training for nearly 13,000 entrepreneurs in management, finance, marketing, and proposal writing.

Attendees of the seminar also benefitted from key insights into digital transformation, green innovation, cybersecurity readiness, and financial resilience, with expert overviews in areas such as diversity, equity, and inclusion and its competitive advantages in innovation and expansion.

This year’s NSBW was executed through the support of Corporate Sponsor, BRAVA Solutions; Strategic Partner, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB); Co-Corporate Sponsor, the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry; Platinum Sponsor, Assuria; Gold Sponsor, the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination, and Silver Sponsors—Kojac, Dynotech Construction Chemical Incorporated, ACE Consulting Group, Vista Services, Lodestar Incorporated, Regav Solutions, and Fraites Guyana.