-business owners get SBB grants
rocery shop said that the money he eceived will be used to restock his grocery hop since it was almost empty and he was acing financial difficulties.
James Smith of Siriki, Upper Pomeroon iver in Region Two, said that he will be nvesting the money on his farmlands. He is he owner of JS and Sons Farming nvestment. He related that he cultivates a wide variety of cash crops and the money will be used to purchase planting materials nd pesticides.
Navin Latchman, owner of a poultry farm at Richmond Housing Scheme, plans to use the money to further invest. He said that he will be purchasing more chickens and ducks.
And Samantha Chase of Charity Lower Pomeroon who has a cooking business said the money will be used for further expansion. She said she was happy to have received the grant.
The beneficiaries all expressed their gratitude to the SBB for the much needed intervention.
Walrond used the opportunity to emphasise government’s commitment to providing support for small businesses in the region. Speaking to hundreds of beneficiaries she posited that the support was a “tangible” one that will aid in further development and expansion. She also told recipients that they should not see it as a handout, but rather, utilise it for the expansion and development of their businesses. She disclosed that since 2020, over 4,000 small businesses have benefited from grants totalling some $999 million from the government.
Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer Mohamed Shazim Ibrahim assured that the
SBB will continue to work with small business owners by providing financial support as well as much needed training opportunities.
And Region Two chairperson, Vilma De Silva, expressed her gratitude at seeing so many Essequibians benefitting from the initiative. She urged the recipients to make full use of the grants and to continue to develop their businesses. She noted that the distribution is just the beginning and the region’s Democratic Council (RDC) and the SBB will continue to work with them.