Centre launched to boost women- and farmer-led enterprises

Women and farmers across Guyana are set to benefit from expanded opportunities for training and business development following the launch of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s (GCCI) Micro and Women Entrepreneur Learning Centre.

The facility aimed at strengthening micro, women-led, and farmer-owned enterprises.

The centre, located on the middle floor of the GCCI’s headquarters, was commissioned on Tuesday through a partnership with the World University Services of Canada (WUSC) and funded by Global Affairs Canada. It includes a training room, boardroom, and offices for technical officers who will offer mentorship and business support in areas such as proposal writing, marketing, financial education, and compliance.

GCCI President Kathy Smith said the initiative was born out of a “bold idea” to create tangible opportunities for women entrepreneurs and small business owners to grow sustainably. “This facility represents an opportunity—an opportunity for MSMEs in Guyana to access invaluable training and information. And I am not speaking of just members of the GCCI. Any woman entrepreneur or farmer can walk up these stairs and access our portfolio of services,” she said.

Donald Cole, WUSC Country Coordinator
for the Sustainable Agriculture in the Caribbean Project, said the centre marks the next step in a long-standing partnership among GCCI, WUSC, and the Ministry of Agriculture. “It offers training in business fundamentals, digital tools, food safety, and sustainable production. It is also a place to test products, showcase them, and meet buyers and service providers,” he said.

Head of Cooperation at the High Commission of Canada, Adam Loyer praised the initiative as an investment in Guyana’s economic future. “Through this initiative, the GCCI is demonstrating how the private sector and civil society can serve as catalysts for inclusive development,” he said.

Delivering the feature address, Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha commended the GCCI for contributing to the advancement of the agriculture and business sectors. He said the centre aligns with government efforts to modernise the sector and promote innovation. “This Learning centre is more than just a physical space—it is a space of potential, where ideas can become enterprises and enterprises can become engines of sustainable growth,” Mustapha said.

He added that women make up 33 per cent of farmers in Guyana, and the government aims for 50 per cent of new agricultural ventures to be led by women and youth by 2030.

GCCI Junior Vice President Brian Edwards, who led the project, said the centre would serve as a foundation for systemic change through inclusion, innovation, and empowerment.

The project was supported by contributions from several local companies and partners, including Metro Office and Computer Supplies, Giftland OfficeMax, AdNation Guyana, Lodestar Incorporated, and ExxonMobil Guyana.