New UNDP Resident Representative Meets Empretecos

Newly appointed Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Mr. Youssef Mahmoud, met with empretecos at a special meeting on Thursday, February 17, 2005 at the National Library Conference Centre. At this meeting empretecos were given an opportunity to highlight the impact of the recent flooding on their businesses. In his address the Resident Representative empathized with empretecos and promised to investigate the possibility of assistance to those affected upon receipt of an impact assessment report. Members present were placed into five groups in accordance with the following sectors.

• Agriculture and Food Processing
• Beauty Services and Health Care
• Craft
• Printing, Publishing and Office Services
• General Services

A Flood Impact Assessment Report has since been completed and submitted to the UNDP based on the reports of each sector committee.

Special Pilot Programme

The EMPRETEC Centre launched a Special Pilot Programme on March 2, 2005 for empretecos with the aim of developing their ability to be competitive both nationally and internationally. This is a comprehensive programme which will run over a nine (9) month period and will culminate with the successful participants being awarded the EMPRETEC Certification.

Network of EMPRETEC Entrepreneurs

The Inaugural General Meeting of the Network of EMPRETEC Entrepreneurs will be held on Thursday, March 10, 2005 at 3:00 p.m. in the Boardroom of the Guyana Manufacturers Association.

The Network will host a National Food and Craft Fair on May 26, 2005 .

EMPRETEC Newsletter