Small-business owners living with disabilities have been given a boost as they are now able to access affordable funding to take their businesses to the next level.
The Department of Public Information (DPI) in a release stated that yesterday, eight small- business owners living with permanent disabilities were provided with funding to propel their businesses through the government’s revolving fund. This it explained, was made possible through the collaboration of the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security and the Ministry of Tourism, Industry, and Commerce’s Small Business Bureau, which aims to eliminate the unique challenges people living with disability experience when it comes to accessing finances, specifically loans.
The release said that the fund is easily accessible and business owners living with disabilities can borrow as much as $500,000 with zero interest and no collateral.
Among the first batch of beneficiaries was 27-year-old, Asif Khan, who has a passion for electronics, specifically computers. He told DPI that he will utilise the finances to start up a computer supplies store, adding that this would not have been possible without the government’s assistance.
“I think it is a good initiative by the government, it is historical in the sense that persons with disabilities now have more opportunities to be self-sufficient, self-independent and those who are unable to get employment at least they can venture off into setting up their own businesses and becoming their own boss. So that’s important,” the young man highlighted.
Another recipient, Odessa Evans, said that because of her disability, she was bullied and discouraged, but the government’s initiative is a ray of hope.
“[It] teaches us that even though we have a disability it doesn’t stop there, we have a long way to go and we can achieve anything and do anything and I am very thankful to the government.”
Owner of Braf Manufacturing, Lawrence Braithwaite, echoed similar sentiments and shared that because of the gesture by the government, he is now able to expand his small business. He disclosed that the government had assisted him before in fuelling his passion for the establishment of his business, and as a result, he was able to be gainfully employed.
Mohamed Shameer welcomed the initiative. “It is very challenging for me with the business but I am very thankful to the government for this. It would benefit me a great lot…I was down and out and I needed this. This would help me to restock my business and get going.”
Meanwhile, Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr Vindhya Persaud said the programme was carefully organised with vulnerable citizens in mind.
“Together, we are establishing a programme that I have no doubt will expand…The thinking behind this programme was a simple one and it meant that persons living with disabilities, their access to loans, their access to finance, and their access to development to areas of entrepreneurship would be guaranteed because this initiative is specially geared for them.”
And Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Oneidge Walrond said the programme aligns with the president’s One Guyana vision that ensures the development of every citizen.
“This is the first of its kind and it is a record-breaking, trailblazing initiative. This is an example of our government’s philosophy of One Guyana, that no person should be excluded from the bounty, the development plans, and programmes of the government,” the release added.
