Region Ten entrepreneurs say land access is a major hurdle as they seek to expand their businesses and take advantage of growing investment opportunities.
The issue was raised during an investment and export engagement forum hosted by the Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest), held recently at the Watooka Complex in Linden.
Several businessmen and businesswomen raised concerns about difficulties accessing suitable land, stressing that the challenge could delay or constrain plans to expand their operations.
Kwakwani agro-processor Kinesha Thom shared her hopes of creating meaningful employment in the logging community, but pointed to issues accessing land.
"Many persons or men leave their homes to go to Region Seven or the mines. I think my business has potential to facilitate this gap as it relates to employment in the area of agro-processing. Not only agro-processing and farming. If I'm to go large-scale and to employ hundreds of persons I will need a piece of land that I will be able to build a large facility," she said.
Thom said she is seeking land to construct an agro-processing facility to increase production.
Similar sentiments were shared by entrepreneur Yanesi Mingo, who said she is seeking to construct a wellness facility in Linden.
"Getting somewhere, for me, has been 15 years in the making. I don't know where to start and it's very discouraging thinking about the process," she said.
Mingo pointed to red tape in accessing commercial land in the Linden community, as she sought avenues to simplify the process.
Other entrepreneurs pursuing various business ventures also highlighted the issue.
They were assured by government officials that the issues will be addressed. The forum was hosted in collaboration with the Linden Chamber of Industry, Commerce and Development.