Overview
The Small Business Bureau is a semi-autonomous agency of the Ministry, set up under the Small Business Act 2004. Its office was established in 2010 and began operating in 2013, funded by the Guyana REDD+ Investment Fund (GRIF) for the Micro and Small Enterprise Development (MSED) programme, which ran from 2013 to 2018.
Mission
To enable sustained growth and diversification of micro and small enterprises, with positive, measurable impact through expert guidance, well-directed resources, networking and a supportive environment.
Vision
To develop the micro and small business sectors to their full potential by cultivating entrepreneurship, fostering business cooperation and strengthening the value chain.
Role under the Small Business Act 2004
- Develop and run programmes for small business growth, including access to finance
- Review and promote Government policies that affect small businesses
- Monitor approved small businesses’ access to 20 percent of Government procurement
- Be the source of information on the small business sector
Achievements
- MSED project: 3,738 current and would-be business owners trained; 591 grants and 224 loans worth GYD 760M disbursed
- 34 Green Business Technology Grants of GYD 1M each (to 2020)
- 684 business owners trained in sustainable mining, sustainable forestry, soap making and cosmetology
- Help desks in eight administrative regions
- 125 secondary students from all 10 regions built 60 small businesses through the In-School Entrepreneurship Programme
- 81 businesses started or expanded by at-risk youth under the Citizen Security Strengthening Programme
- Business Incubator Centre at Belvedere, Corentyne, Region 6