What We Do
Since opening in July 2017, the Centre has registered over 7,000 business on its Centre Hub, helped 100 companies build their HSSE Management Systems, carried over 5,000 individuals through oil and gas awareness seminars, conducted multiple in-depth analytics reports for clients and hosted close to 10 business missions for companies from Canada, USA and Brazil.
Over the years, the Centre’s ability to contribute to increased equitable and sustainable economic growth in Guyana has continued to grow. To accommodate this, the Centre has redefined its services and business model to accommodate these needs as a self-sustaining entity, supported by investments from across Guyana’s growing energy and other sectors by:-
- Increasing the competitiveness for local businesses through our audits, training and mentorship programmes such as HSSE, project management, entrepreneurship, legal requirements training, workforce training, etc.
- Increasing access to business opportunities for local and international suppliers through the Centre Hub, supplier engagement sessions, business missions, and our Investment Entry Package.
- Improving sustainable and efficient business outcomes for all through providing in depth and well curated market reports (eg Guyana overview, real estate, wages, etc), advocacy engagements, specialised workshops.
How We Do It
The Centre continues to evolve to meet the needs of the business and assist with local content development. With decades of transformative growth ahead, the Centre is well positioned as the nexus of Guyanese and international business. In response to market trends and needs, the Centre has streamlined its range of products. Some of the current services and programme offerings include:
Who We Are
Natasha is a Ph.D. Economist with over 17+ years of experience in economic policy analysis and research, international development and data analytics to drive sustainable business growth and development in emerging markets. Natasha leads Guyana’s premier business capacity-building entity, the Centre for Local Business Development, where she manages multiple analytical and development projects around access to finance, economic impact assessments, and SME development and sustainability.
Gina is a Senior Economist and Project Management Specialist with 15+ years of experience in International development, public policy, sustainability, programme development and designing logic frameworks for M&E. Gina has previously worked with the High Commission of Canada’s Caribbean Development programme, leading three region-wide development initiatives.
Sparkle started her career at the Centre for Local Business Development in 2021 and is now the main workforce trainer for the ExxonMobil Guyana Ogle Facilities Project. In her day-to-day, she conducts induction training for all individuals entering onto the site. She also conducts specialized training for key areas such as working from working in confined spaces, hot works and more.
Melissa has close to 10 years of experience in HSSE. She currently executes the Centre’s HSSE programme, which includes the Management System Mentorship programme for businesses and workforce training for O&G and construction-based companies. Melissa conducts HSSE-related training for clients and manages the Centre’s internal ISO process.
Ron is an Economist with over 7 years of experience in the Centre, where he conducts entrepreneurship training, economic research, industrial baseline assessment for supply chain development, manages trade missions and provides market Intelligence. Ron also oversees the Centre Hub of over 7,000 businesses.
Cecil is an Economist with over 8 years of experience in trade and investment promotion, MSME capacity-building, youth and innovation nexus, and advocacy. Cecil manages the Centre Hub and facilitates a wide range of training and seminars with the Centre. Cecil previously worked with the Ministry of Trade and Commerce (GY).