GCCI business forum to help entrepreneurs scale businesses, access finance

The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) is preparing to host its 2025 Business Development Forum, one of Guyana’s premier private sector events aimed at supporting entrepreneurs, driving innovation, and building resilience among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Set for 13 and 14 November at the Pegasus Corporate Centre, the two-day forum will be held under the theme “Empowering Businesses for a Resilient Future.” It will bring together local business leaders, government officials, and international partners to discuss strategies for scaling enterprises, accessing finance, and navigating Guyana’s rapidly expanding economy.

GCCI President Kathy Smith said this year’s focus is squarely on empowering micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), which make up the majority of the country’s business community.

“This year we are focusing on the micro, small and medium enterprises, helping them to build capacity, understand compliance, and get access to finance. We want to ensure they know how to scale up and take advantage of the opportunities that exist, both locally and internationally,” Smith explained.

The forum, now in its seventh year, will include mentorship sessions, networking opportunities, and expert-led workshops tailored to strengthening business fundamentals. Special panels will also explore trade facilitation, export readiness, and digital transformation, areas seen as essential to keeping local businesses competitive in a global market.

Smith noted that the event is not just about identifying opportunities but about equipping business owners to capitalise on them. “It’s not just about opportunities anymore, it’s about positioning yourself to capitalize on them. Businesses have to think bigger, be bolder, and operate beyond just Georgetown, across all ten regions, across CARICOM, and even further afield,” she said.

According to the Chamber, this year’s edition will place strong emphasis on women and youth entrepreneurship, aligning with Guyana’s broader agenda of inclusion and sustainable development.

Registration for the event is set at $10,000, and GCCI has pledged to ensure accessibility for entrepreneurs across the country. The organisation expects the 2025 Business Development Forum to serve as both a networking hub and a catalyst for the continued modernisation and diversification of Guyana’s private sector.