Entrepreneur of the Year Awards launched
By Liz Rahaman
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds says that the launching of the Entrepreneur of the Year Awards (EOY) Programme is timely. The 1999 EOY award programme which will now include businesses in Guyana and Grenada, is aimed at recognizing and honouring the high standard of performance and contribution by entrepreneurs around the world. Delivering the feature address at the launching ceremony on Thursday night at the Savannah Suite of the Le Meridien Pegasus Hotel, Hinds said that his government sees the sponsoring institutions as the engine of growth of the Guyana economy. The programme is sponsored by the National Bank of Industry and Commerce Limited (NBIC), Republic Bank of Trinidad and Tobago, Chartered Accountants, Ernst and Young of Trinidad and Ram and McRae of Guyana. To qualify for the EOY Award, an entrepreneur must be an owner/manager who is primarily responsible for the performance of his/her company which must be at least two years old. This year entrepreneurs will be nominated in five categories; oil and petrochemical services, manufacturing and food processing, services, retail and distribution, tourism and hospitality and the emerging entrepreneur whose company is less than five years old and employing at least 2 persons. Judges are looking for an outstanding individual who has achieved tremendous success in business, not only in financial performance but in sound business practices and the integrity and responsibility displayed to the social community. Application Cards for nomination will be available from May 31 at branches of NBIC and can be returned to the said bank or the offices of Ram and McRae on Waterloo Street. Referring to the various laws that protect workers' rights, Hinds said that the focus in Guyana should be on making the sectors more productive. He added that the entrepreneurial spirit which is constantly seeking and finding ways to satisfy the needs of the people, must now be promoted in Guyana. Coordinator of the Award Programme, Angella Persad, said that the scheme was introduced to the Caribbean Region in 1996, in Barbados, Bahamas and the countries of the Eastern Caribbean. In 1997, the programme was a huge success with over 100 nominations. In that year, manufacturer of Willie's Ice Cream, Wilbur Balgobin of Trinidad and Tobago, was adjudged the top entrepreneur. In 1998, a top fashion designer, Gary Hunt of Radical Designs Limited won the EOY title. This year's programme which will be hosted in Trinidad, will be expanded to include participants from Guyana and Grenada and according to Persad "we feel certain that the wealth of entrepreneurial talent that exists in these countries will raise the programme to even new heights". The Coordinator said that the introduction of these two countries to the programme, "is the first step towards a truly regional programme which we plan to host in the year 2000". She disclosed that a regional business conference is planned for next year where one regional entrepreneur will be selected at a banquet, "this will be a true representation of Caribbean Entrepreneurship". Acting Managing Director of NBIC, Robert Norstrom, in his address noted that the entrepreneurial spirit is not new to Guyana. "It is a spirit that has always been with the Guyanese people, and it is what has seen Guyana's survival through the long years of economic and social reorganization" he added. He remarked that unemployment remains a serious concern for all stakeholders of Guyana and hoped that the awards will give local entrepreneurs the inspiration and incentive to make a proud, new way for themselves and to contribute to improving the employment environment. The Trinidadian banker said that while Guyana continues to experience economic and serious political challenges, the entrepreneurial community needs to know in a concrete and public way that they are being supported in their efforts at building a commercial life. According to him, the awards scheme provided the exposure, encouragement and stimulating recognition that businesses needed. He expressed the hope that women will participate. He emphasized that the awards are for the benefit of all Guyanese and said "I encourage our businesswomen to enter the programme with confidence".
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