Guyana’s female entrepreneur exhibition “WE LIFT” 5 opened at the National Aquatic Centre, Liliendaal, on Friday to further promote small and medium-sized businesses.
The event that is hosted by the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security has increased its business participation from 75 to over 350.
According to subject Minister Dr. Vindhya Persaud, the support these businesses receive is significant. This event provides entrepreneurs with an avenue to network and a platform to showcase their economic contributions. It is supported by the Nations Incorporated, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), and ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL).
The event will culminate on Sunday, and admission is free. This year, a highlight of the event is the training sessions, which will allow persons to participate in yoga, makeup, craft making, jewellery making, candle making, and soap making.
Some of the booths at this year’s WE LIFT
Dr. Persaud said that beyond the expo, the Ministry is working with women to develop businesses that can thrive in many different industries. One such training area is the Early Childhood Development Programme, for which two model homes in Regions Three and Four are being created.
“We have trained a significant number of women, in the 1000s in every region, and encouraging them not only to be trained, but to get into consortiums where they can start their own care industries in communities, and they can offer the services of care and early childhood development, blending the needs of children and parents and coming out in such a way that we tackle another very, very important building block of our country, and that is healthy families,” Dr. Persaud said.
The female entrepreneurs have access to the Guyana Women’s Leadership Institute as well for them to further advance their business knowledge and particular business needs. And, through the Ministry’s Women Innovation and Investment Network (WIIN) programme, some 15,000 women across the country were trained in entrepreneurship. She said that in addition to working with women to empower them to become business owners, the Ministry is also working to assist with overcoming barriers they may face.
Deondra Wishart, a socio-economic advisor at EMGL and entrepreneur participating at the expo, said ExxonMobil Guyana’s support for this event is part of its commitment to local content development. She noted that it increases economic opportunities for women.
Noting how “WE LIFT” supported her business, she said, “I can tell you for sure, I wouldn’t be able to do what I do without the support of other women helping to lift me up, and I wouldn’t be the person I am today if it hadn’t been for others, who I would have lifted up as well.”
Pamela O’Toole, one of the Directors at Nation,s said that many women have shown interest in the skills training programmes offered by the institutions, specially curated for Guyanese to respond to the country’s booming economy.
She also added, “We will award the outstanding early entrepreneur trophy for those aged 16 and under, who are really manufacturing and producing.”
Lorena Solorzana Salazar, the Country Representative at the IDB said they are committed to the work that “WE LIFT” does and will continue to support it. She also said it has given non-traditional businesses a platform and support to thrive.
“When we invest in one woman, we invest in the community, and by investing in the community, we also invest in the country and this context of the Guyana economy,” Salazar said.
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