Jean Bacchus - Outgoing Executive Director, GCCI

2008 was a year of great success and achievement for the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (the Chamber). In April, under the distinct leadership of the then President, Col. (ret’d), the Chamber planned and crafted its first ever Five Year Strategic Plan. In July Council ratified the Plan which was subsequently launched and implemented in August 2008.

1. The GCCI lobbies locally and internationally on behalf of its members. For example, issues affecting these businesses are highlighted and brought to the attention of the relevant agencies through the Chamber
2. Members benefit from Trade facilitation and other opportunities
3. Members have ready access to market data
4. Members are able to participate in various business luncheons and dinners, conferences, high-level meetings and workshops annually and they are kept abreast with the current issues locally and internationally which may be affecting or are likely to affect their businesses
5. Seminars and in-house training: Members and their staff are provided with opportunities through in-house training, presentations by local and international experts and seminars to improve their businesses and business practices
6. Chamber’s Brochure/Annual Report: The GCCI produces an annual report each year for distribution and this contains the contact information for the various businesses, the businesses which performed exceptionally
7. Business Referrals and networking: The Chamber is contacted regularly by international financial institutions, overseas and other sister agencies on opportunities for businesses be it through grants, awards, new markets etc. and it acts as the network for its members in this regard
8. Interaction with agencies on matters affecting the local business community (Please see No. 1)

Purpose of the plan including how the plan will be used and any overall results expected from implementing the plan

Executive Summary

The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry is the oldest private sector representative in Guyana established for the promotion and protection of trade and investment. Initially the Chamber represented businesses in the mercantile sector. However, as the business environment evolved, the Chamber also evolved – it now caters to the needs of every sector of the economy. Over this past year, the Chamber underwent an internal review and restructured many of its processes. These enabled the Chamber to better serve its members. However, the mechanisms which were needed to meet the specific needs of members and ensure that their concerns were heard, understood and addressed were absent. In was in this regard, the Chamber engaged in the development of its five years Strategic Plan 2008 – 2012. The Chamber’s Strategic Plan is its tool for defining its strategies and making decisions on allocating resources to pursue those strategies including its human and capital assets. This Plan will also provide direction and focus for all employees and points to specific results that are to be achieved and establishes a course of action for achieving them.