With a renewed focus on expanding economic opportunities for women, the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security on Monday hosted a high-level stakeholder engagement ahead of WeLift 6, bringing together nearly 150 women-owned small businesses and a wide cross-section of investors and industry leaders.
The event, held at the Grand Coastal Hotel, created a dynamic platform for networking, partnership-building and knowledge-sharing. Women entrepreneurs were given the opportunity to connect directly with market leaders, support agencies and potential investors, strengthening prospects for scaling their businesses locally and internationally.
Minister of Human Services and Social Security Vindhya Persaud underscored the ministry’s deliberate efforts to position women entrepreneurs beyond local markets as the highly anticipated WeLift 6 approaches.
Scheduled for March 6–8, 2026, at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, this year’s expo is themed: Made by Guyanese Women for the World.
“After five years of WeLift, I think it’s time you, as women, move to showcase your products and services to the rest of the world. And the intention is to provide the support because I have seen over the five years the unparalleled growth of not only your business, but as individuals,” Minister Persaud stated.
She explained that engagements with regulatory bodies, financial institutions and private sector leaders are critical in equipping entrepreneurs with the tools and information needed to access larger markets.
“Today, these women are connecting with partners who can open doors to new markets, both locally and internationally. I see their potential and their capacity to supply these markets. I encourage every participant to maximise the opportunities present in this room,” she urged.
Participants expressed appreciation for the initiative, with many arrived seeking clarity on processes such as certification, financing and marketing, and left empowered with practical guidance and direct contacts to move their businesses forward.
WeLift began at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre with just 75 businesses. Now entering its sixth stage, the ministry is targeting participation from 400 women-owned enterprises.
Among the organisations and investors engaging with entrepreneurs were the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG), Guyana Marriott Hotel Georgetown, Dave West Indian Imports, Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS), commercial banks, the Small Business Bureau (SBB), the Guyana Marketing and Services Association (GMSA), the National Insurance Scheme (NIS), the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), the Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest), Zoon Logistics, and the Government Analyst Food and Drug Department, among others.
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