Loans, grants for small business projects finally unlocked

Tourism Industry and Commerce Minister Irfaan Ali

Almost a year after President Donald Ramotar launched the US$5 million Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) Micro and Small Enterprise Development and Building Alternative Livelihoods for Vulnerable groups (MSE) Project, funding has now been cleared for beneficiaries under both the loan and grant components.

Stabroek Business understands that the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) and Republic Bank along with the Institute for Private Enterprise Development (IPED) have, together, approved loans totalling around $80 million to borrowers on the recommendation of the Small Business Bureau (SBB).

This news comes in the wake of criticism by would-be beneficiaries of the year-long delay in approving of funding for the