Latest update June 16th, 2026 12:40 AM
“From Employee to Employer: The Opportunity Every Guyanese Should Understand”
Dear Editor,
The establishment and soon-to-be operationalisation of Guyana’s SME Development Bank by President Ali’s government, has the potential to become one of the most transformative economic initiatives in our nation’s history.
At a time when our country is experiencing unprecedented economic growth, it is critical that ordinary citizens are given the opportunity not only to benefit from that growth but to actively participate in creating it.
For decades, access to financing has been one of the greatest barriers preventing many Guyanese from turning business ideas into successful enterprises. The SME Development Bank has the potential to change that reality by providing entrepreneurs, particularly young people, with access to capital and business support that can help transform ambition into opportunity.
It is in this regard special recognition must be given to President Ali for his administration’s vision and leadership in advancing initiatives such as the SME Development Bank. While many have spoken over the years about empowering citizens through entrepreneurship and expanding access to financing, his administration is taking concrete steps to transform those aspirations into reality.
This initiative reflects a commitment to ensuring that economic growth reaches ordinary Guyanese and not just large businesses and investors.
The true value of the SME Development Bank lies in its ability to help Guyanese become owners rather than merely employees. Through access to financing, individuals can establish poultry farms, agro-processing facilities, construction companies, block-making operations, hardware stores, laundry and commercial cleaning services, transportation services, car and truck wash bay services, eco-lodges, restaurants, technology firms, digital marketing agencies, and numerous other small businesses capable of creating jobs and generating wealth.
The impact on communities could be profound. Every successful small business creates employment, increases household incomes, stimulates local commerce, and keeps more money circulating within communities. This is especially important for townships such as Linden, Bartica, Lethem, and many rural and hinterland communities where entrepreneurship can become a powerful engine for economic development.
Our young people stand to benefit significantly and I encourage them to seize these opportunities. Rather than waiting solely for employment opportunities, they can access financing to launch businesses, develop innovative services, and become job creators themselves. In doing so, they can build assets, create wealth, and establish enterprises that can benefit their peers and others but importantly future generations.
As our country continues its remarkable transformation, the SME Development Bank represents an investment in the creativity, determination, and entrepreneurial spirit of its people. If effectively managed and broadly accessible, it can help create a stronger middle class, stimulate community development, reduce economic disparities, and foster a new generation of Guyanese entrepreneurs.
The true wealth of Guyana is not found only in its natural resources, but in the talent and potential of its people. The SME Development Bank provides an opportunity to unlock that potential and build a nation where more Guyanese can become business owners, employers, and active participants in the country’s growing prosperity.
Yours respectfully,
Jermaine Figueira
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