Thirty-six persons drawn from various parts of Region 10 graduated as new 'Empretecos' on Friday. The Empretec programme designed for small business entrepreneurs was facilitated by the Linden Economic Advancement Programme (LEAP).
Some 58 persons had applied for the training but only 36 were selected. Five of the persons qualified were from the outlying areas of Kwakwani and Rockstone. Also included were nine participants selected from the recently launched Youth Entrepreneurship Network, initiated by LEAP.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, President of the Guyana Manufacturers Association (GMA) and chairman of the executive committee of Empretec, Ramesh Dookhoo said that the executive had approached a number of banks with the intention of creating working relationships. He said that the executive committee was concerned by a number of constraints facing entrepreneurs as they went out to source capital for financing start-ups. But he added that "We must come to grips with the fact that what you borrow you must repay and repay on time and at the same time allow the business to make a profit."
The executive director has started a number of initiatives including providing accounting services for Guyanese Empretecos.
Prime Minister Sam Hinds was on hand to present the participants their certificates and charged them to persevere. "Business is of an up-days and down-days nature. When you fall, creep, crawl but don't give up you will eventfully get back on your feet. It is also a good thing to be in business but it is most important to be profitable."
Among others present at the certification ceremony were LEAP's Kathleen Whalen and Regional Chairman Mortimer Mingo, Member of the Linden Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Development.
The Empretec project is jointly funded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Government of Guyana and the Guyana Manufacturers' Association.
Its training programme seeks to change the attitudes of those entrepreneurs running small and medium size businesses and involves intense participation in a simulated business environment where persons have to manufacture their product, find markets, advertise and effectively run their businesses. LEAP is hoping to facilitate another workshop in March 2004.