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The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry on

Welcomes Advancement of the Guyana Development Bank

The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) congratulates the Government of Guyana (GoG) on the operationalisation of the Guyana Development Bank (GDB), which commences operations today, October 5, 2026.

The introduction of the Development Bank adds a new financing avenue for Guyanese entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), at a time when access to affordable finance remains an important consideration for businesses seeking to start, expand and strengthen their operations.

GCCI has consistently advocated for an enabling environment in which local businesses can access the financing, technical support and opportunities necessary to become more competitive and sustainable. The Chamber therefore views the development of the Bank as a pillar to Guyana’s evolving financial and business-support ecosystem.

As Guyana’s economy continues to expand and new opportunities emerge across traditional and developing sectors, greater access to capital will be critical to ensuring that local businesses are positioned to participate meaningfully in this growth.

The GCCI looks forward to the Bank developing financing mechanisms that are accessible, responsive to the realities of the local business community and supportive of sustainable enterprise development.

The Chamber also congratulates the inaugural Board of Directors: Chairperson Mr. Abu Zaman; Deputy Chairperson and GCCI President Mrs. Kathy Smith; Mr. James Bond; Mr. Sukrishnall Pasha; Mr. Dion Inniss; Ms. Nalini Singh; and Mr. Praem Rambharak, and wishes them success as they guide the institution through its formative stage.