The Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc. (GuySuCo) and the Ministry of Business have established a partnership to implement the ‘Economic Resilience’ component of its ‘Sustainable Communities Programme’ for the sugar–dependent communities in the vicinity of Skeldon, Rose Hall, Enmore and Wales Estates.
GuySuCo and the Small Business Bureau of the Ministry of Business are jointly pursuing an Economic Resilience programme of which the Alternative Livelihoods Initiative is a part. The aim of the economic resilience component of the Sustainable Communities Programme is to implement shock-counteraction and shock-absorption measures to support ex-employees of GuySuCo as well as their families and residents in the these communities.
One of the activities under the Economic Resilience programme includes two ‘Business, Financial and Investment Forums’ and four ‘Coaching Clinics’ for ex-employees of GuySuCo.
The Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc. and the Ministry of Business, Small Business Bureau value the severance as capital, which could be used to foster economic growth for the ex-employees. Hence, the aim of the forums and clinics is to provide those ex-employees with business, financial and investment advice on available opportunities within these areas.
The specific objectives of the forums and coaching clinics are to: Provide appropriate business, financial and investment advice to ex-employees who will be receiving severance payment; establish a system for providing Coaching in business, financial and investment for these ex-employees; create opportunities for them to access advice on insurance, medical and pension packages; establish a system for formalizing banking arrangements for those who are currently outside of the system and who are interested in becoming entrepreneurs; and establish a process for assisting interested parties to fulfill banking requirements, such as referees and recommendations.
The target groups for the forums and coaching clinics will be from Skeldon, Rose Hall, East Demerara and Wales Estates, as well as their family members.
The forums will be held in the last week of January, 2018. One will be held at the Enmore Community Centre for persons from East Demerara and Wales Estates, and another will be at the Skeldon Community Centre for those from Rose Hall and Skeldon Estates.
The following will be the focus for the forum and clinics: Opportunities in investment, to purchase bonds and shares, Banking services such as, Fixed Deposits, business ventures, insurance, medical and pension packages among others.
These activities will be coordinated by the Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc. and Ministry of Business, Small Business Bureau while Banking institutions, Insurance companies, the Private Sector Commission and the Georgetown and Berbice Chambers of Commerce and Industry are invited to facilitate sessions on business, financial and investment opportunities.