NEW AMSTERDAM, Berbice — October 19, 2026
Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Oneidge Walrond says women-owned businesses account for more than 50 percent of enterprises benefiting from the Small Business Bureau's loan guarantee programme.
The minister made the disclosure while speaking on the Starting Point podcast.
She said that over the past six years, 177 small businesses accessed commercial loans valued at approximately 1.6 billion dollars through the programme.
The initiative allows businesses to access loans of up to 30 million dollars, with the Small Business Bureau guaranteeing a portion of the collateral required by financial institutions.
Between 2020 and 2026, more than 6,500 small businesses registered with the bureau, while 493 businesses received support to participate in exhibitions and trade shows.
The minister said success should not only be measured by the number of businesses established but also by how many remain operational and sustainable.
She added that more than 7,000 business visits were conducted over the past six years, with approximately 75 percent of those businesses remaining in operation.
The programme forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen entrepreneurship, support women in business, and create opportunities for sustainable economic growth in Guyana.
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By LRTVS NewsWatch · Channel 10. This report first aired on LRTVS NewsWatch.
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