HGP Nightly News – Government is intensifying its push to build a new generation of entrepreneurs in Guyana, arguing that rapid economic expansion, growing state support and wider access to opportunity have created one of the best moments yet for citizens to start and grow their own businesses.
At the centre of that message is Minister of Public Service, Government Efficiency and Implementation Zulfikar Ally, who says the conditions now exist for Guyanese to move beyond simply looking for jobs and begin creating businesses of their own. Speaking on the Starting Point podcast, Ally said growth across multiple sectors is opening doors in ways not seen before and giving citizens a real chance to invest in ideas they are passionate about.
According to the minister, the current climate is especially favourable because opportunities are emerging across almost every part of the economy. “Now, with the rate that our economy is growing, with all of the opportunities that are being provided in almost every sector, now is a good time for every Guyanese, I believe, to invest in a business, to invest in something that they like,” he said.
Ally argued that this push is not happening by chance, but is being backed by policies and programmes under the Irfaan Ali administration aimed at removing many of the barriers that have traditionally kept people, especially young people, from entering business. In that regard, the government is seeking to create not only more entrepreneurs, but more confidence among citizens that they can participate directly in the country’s economic transformation.
A major part of that support, he said, will come through the planned Guyana Development Bank, which is expected to provide financing as well as practical business training. Ally made it clear that the intention is not simply to hand out money, but to equip people with the tools to build sustainable enterprises. “We will do training and we will do workshop on financial literacy,” he said. “So it’s not a case where you just walk in, you have an idea, you collect a check and you walk out. Not free money. Not free money. We will help you, we will help you to be an all-around business person.”
Beyond the proposed bank, the minister pointed to several other programmes already in place to support entrepreneurship. These include targeted youth opportunities through the Agriculture and Innovation Entrepreneurship Programme, assistance through the Small Business Bureau, the Green Tech Fund for Entrepreneurs, and the Women Innovation Network, which is focused specifically on helping women build and expand businesses.
Ally said these initiatives are all part of a wider strategy to create a stronger entrepreneurial culture in Guyana and ensure that more citizens are in a position to benefit from the country’s fast-changing economy. His message was that with the right mix of support, financing and training, Guyanese should now be looking not only at employment, but at ownership, innovation and long-term business growth.
