The Small Business Bureau (SBB), in collaboration with the Public Procurement Commission (PPC), recently conducted a training session for the 20% Government Procurement Programme at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre. The event, which drew over 100 active participants, is being lauded as a pivotal initiative aimed at empowering small business owners across Guyana.
The programme aligns with the Small Business Act (2004) and subsequent amendments, as well as the Procurement Act (2003) and its amendments. It seeks to bolster the economic impact of public spending by ensuring that at least 20% of government procurement opportunities are accessible to small businesses. This initiative highlights the government’s commitment to creating a conducive environment for small businesses to grow and develop.
Ms. Tracy Gibson, Deputy Chairwoman of the Small Business Council, opened the session by welcoming participants and encouraging them to utilize the knowledge gained to grow their businesses.
In his address, Mr. Mohamed Ibrahim, CEO of the Small Business Bureau, emphasized the strategic objectives of the programme, which include enhancing small businesses’ capacity to compete for procurement contracts, bolstering private sector capability in contract execution, increasing small business participation in public procurement, and ensuring timely and accurate procurement data dissemination.
Ms. Pauline Chase, Chairwoman of the Public Procurement Commission, also provided brief remarks about the PPC.
A key highlight of the event was the live demonstration of the 20% Government Procurement Programme portal by Ms. Underwood, Training Coordinator of the Bureau. She showcased its user-friendly interface designed to facilitate small business engagement in government tenders.
Participants benefited from comprehensive presentations by Ms. Esther Osbourne, Attorney-at-Law, who detailed the roles and responsibilities of the PPC, the legislative framework governing procurement, administrative review processes, and the critical issue of debarment.
Mr. Antonio Yhan offered insights into the specific procurement processes used in Guyana, elucidating tender openings and evaluation procedures. These sessions were instrumental in equipping attendees with practical knowledge essential for navigating the procurement landscape effectively.
One participant, who preferred to remain anonymous, expressed gratitude for the initiative, highlighting its potential to uplift marginalized sectors of society, remarking, “This programme caters to the poor people… the man in the street and will definitely make a difference.”
Notably, access to the 20% Government Procurement Programme is exclusive to registered clients of the Small Business Bureau, ensuring that eligible small businesses benefit directly from this strategic initiative.
