GCCI to launch micro learning and training centre to empower women and small businesses

In a major move to strengthen small businesses, the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) is preparing to launch a Micro Learning and Training Centre aimed at equipping entrepreneurs with essential skills in marketing, entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and agro-processing.

GCCI President Kathy Smith, in a recent interview with the News Room, said the Centre is designed to help entrepreneurs move beyond the traditional ‘buy and sell’ model to more sustainable, structured business operations—particularly targeting women and those in the agro-processing sector.

“That Centre is going to ensure that we just don’t buy and sell, but it is a centre that ensures we focus on marketing. We are going to do a lot of training on marketing, a lot of training on entrepreneurship, a lot of training on financial literacy, branding, packaging – focusing heavily on agro-processing because we are targeting women,” Smith explained.

Scheduled to open by the end of July, the Centre will be located on the second floor of the GCCI building on Waterloo Street, Georgetown. It is currently being furnished and outfitted for use. According to Smith, the Chamber is collaborating with various stakeholders, including oil companies and a financial institution, to support the initiative.

Importantly, the services offered at the Centre will be free of cost and open to all small businesses—not just GCCI members.

“This is a space that is not just for small businesses who are members of the Chamber, it’s for all small businesses. We are going to have a help desk. If you need help in building out a business plan, help in creating printing documents, you can come and spend an entire day,” Smith said.

The Centre will also feature a small boardroom for private meetings, networking events, and mentorship sessions. As part of its programming, successful Guyanese entrepreneurs will be invited to share their experiences and insights with emerging business owners, promoting transparency and sound business practices.

“I always say to people, do business the right way and the money is going to come. But what you have to focus on is sustainability, structure, processes, those sorts of things,” Smith added.

To ensure broader access, the training sessions will be delivered in a hybrid format, allowing participation from remote areas across the country.

“The women can be in Region One, Region Nine and join a session on entrepreneurship,” Smith said.

She emphasised that micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are a growing and critical part of the local economy. At present, they account for over 70 percent of the Chamber’s membership.

“I want to ensure that micro, small, and medium enterprises get the attention because we realise that is the group that is growing. At the Chamber, they represent more than 70 percent of our membership, and they are growing every day,” she said.