The AmazonBeEco Inception Workshop – Guyana commenced today at the Grand Coastal Hotel with 33 participants from 5 countries, marking another significant milestone for sustainable bioeconomy development across the Amazon region.
Opening Ceremonies
Ms. Lorena Salazar, Inter-American Development Bank Country Representative, and Ms. Simone Sills, Executive Director of NGO National Coordinating Coalition Inc., delivered opening remarks to officially launch the three-day workshop focused on building sustainable socio-bioeconomy ecosystems.
Day 1 HighlightsThe workshop showcased strong Guyanese representation with participants from Regions 8 and 9, along with a variety display of bio-economic products that demonstrated the diverse potential of community-based bio-businesses.
Key Sessions Completed:
Project Overview
Comprehensive introduction to the AmazonBeEco initiative and its regional scope
Breakout Session: Ecosystem Mapping
Participants mapped current bioeconomy landscapes and opportunities
Breakout Session: Main Ecosystem Challenges
- Identified barriers preventing Community-Based Businesses (CBBs) from succeeding
- Documented services provided by bio businesses
Key Themes Identification & Next Steps
Synthesis of findings and strategic planning for continued collaboration
Tomorrow’s Expanded Program
Day 2 continues at 9:00 AM with the addition of key national partners, including:
- Women’s Chambers of Commerce
- Conservation International
- Small Business Bureau
- GoInvest
- Georgetown Chamber of Commerce (GCCI)
- Centre for Local Business Development
- Guyana Manufacturing & Services Association
- IPED
The expanded stakeholder participation will deepen discussions on building strategic alliances and activation strategies for Guyana’s bioeconomy sector.
The strong turnout and engaged participation from Day 1 demonstrates the commitment across the region by business owners, operators and partners to developing sustainable, community-centered economic models that balance environmental conservation with local prosperity.