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Ten rural entrepreneurs receive funding through EELP-UNDP programme
Ten entrepreneurs who have started small business in rural communities, on Tuesday received funding for their ventures under the Enhancing the Economic Livelihood of the Poor (EELP) programme.
The recipients and Business Ministry staff, with Minister of Business Dominick Gaskin (third from left, back row); United Nations representative, Reuben Robertson (fifth from left, back row); Chile’s Ambassador to Guyana, Claudio Rachel Rojas (seventh from left, back row)
Under the previous administration in 2013, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) received a US$200,000 ($20M) grant from the Government of Chile. This was disbursed from its trust fund for hunger and poverty and was used to launch the EELP project in Guyana, with the view of enhancing co-operation.
Tuesday’s event at the Ministry of Business concluded the three-tiered EELP project. As one of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) is eradicating extreme poverty and hunger, the project used this as its mandate.
The first tier was aimed at supporting policies for reducing poverty. The second tier supported cottage and linkage industries in selective rural communities.
The third tier identified and enhanced alternative coping strategies for the poor. Kaieteur News understands that 42 applications were received by the Business Ministry; 10 were approved.
The ten beneficiaries are Liselle Somwaru of Bagotville, Zoey Williams of Nismes and Loretta Culley of Nabaclis, all involved in poultry rearing; Sherene Neils of Linden, involved in wholesale fish and meat; Rohini Mangar of Cotton Field, Essequibo Coast, who is involved in farming different varieties of bananas; Christopher Seunarine and Kelvin Sewlall, both of Bath Settlement and both involved in cash crop farming; Lokesh Gopee of Cotton Tree Berbice, a plant shop owner; Violet Pierre, of Sister’s Village, West Bank Demerara; who is involved in aquaculture and Richard Lewis, a plantain and banana farmer of Mocha.
Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin presented the cheques to the beneficiaries in the presence of Chile’s Ambassador to Guyana, Claudio Rachel Rojas and United Nations representative, Reuben Robertson.
It is understood that the beneficiaries were given training and were required to provide a business plan for their individual projects. While congratulating them, Gaskin urged the entrepreneurs to stick to their respective business plans and make full use of the training they had accessed.
Gaskin noted that access to financing was a critical component of any business and one of the stumbling blocks in many businesses.
The Business Minister also acknowledged the Guyana-Chile partnership, and expressed gratitude to the Chilean Government for the essential project.
Ambassador Rachel Rojas noted that the project offers economic opportunities that will ultimately enhance the livelihood of persons, communities and by extension the country.
Robinson noted that emphasis was mostly placed on disadvantaged women, unemployed and underemployed youths and graduate apprentices. He expressed expectations that the grants will improve the livelihoods of the beneficiaries, and increase household incomes for them and their dependants.
He noted that program served to end poverty in all its forms, stopping hunger, achieving food security, and improving nutrition and sustainable agriculture. He also stated that if supported, the beneficiaries could generate self employment and micro enterprises.
Sherene Neils, with baby in arm, said that the programme was a positive one that would boost her business in Mackenzie Linden.
Lokesh Gopee, who owns a plant shop, said that he wanted to expand his business into cash crop farming. Noting that he has a son and wife to provide for, he stated that the branching out was a good idea as there is an opening for such a venture in his village.
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