The European Union, in collaboration with implementation partners, the Food and Agriculture Organization and the Centre for Local Business Development, today launched the Guyana Wood-Based Small and Medium Enterprises Accelerator Programme.

The programme is designed to strengthen the capacity, competitiveness and sustainability of small and medium- sized enterprises operating within Guyana’s wood based sector.

The programme is expected to be completed in five phases, which consist of seminar sessions, a three day boot-camp, bi-monthly core classes, matching participants with financial institutions and  supporting the participants through grant administration.

EU Ambassador to Guyana, Luca Pierantoni, said the investment is to ensure small and medium enterprises are able to properly compete within the Forestry sector.

He said the private sector can be on the forefront of preserving the local forestry sector to ensure that not only generates profit, but protect the environment.

“The European Union has long partnered with Guyana to promote sustainable development, climate resilience and economic prosperity but our collaboration on forestry is one of the longest and most meaningful pillars of this partnership,” the EU Ambassador said.

He noted that the objectives of the programme are clear.

“The wood-based SME accelerator we are launching today, is an indeed a clear example of the important role that is given to the economic dimensions of our partnership. The EU funded Forest governance programme that is successfully managed by the FAO in all of the countries where the European Union signed the forest partnership is another important dimension of this aim,” the Ambassador stated.

Meanwhile, Commissioner of the Guyana Forestry Commission, Edward Goberdhan, welcomed the EU led initiative, calling in a step in the right direction for small businesses in the forestry sector.

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