Coca-Cola Growing Together Small Businesses Training Program, promoting economic empowerment in CARICOM
Georgetown, Thirst Park – Nov 7, 2024 – The Coca-Cola Caribbean System in Guyana composed of Banks DIH Limited and Coca-Cola Central Operations announced that it has graduated fifty-six (56) entrepreneurs in its Growing Together Small Business Training Programme, an innovative economic empowerment initiative focused on the continuing growth and sustainability of traditional trade businesses. The Growing Together programme is available to small business enterprises, a crucial economic engine for the country and generations of families across Guyana.
“Small shops, traditional trade mom and pops and convenience stores are essential for the communities where they are located. This is why The Coca-Cola Latin America and Banks DIH Limited are proud to support their growth and development through economic empowerment initiatives like "Growing Together", of this important pillar - the Customer.” – Carlton Joao, Marketing Director- Banks DIH Limited.
Mohamed Shazim Ibrabim, CEO of SBB in his keynote address encouraged the graduates to maintain courage in the face of challenges. He emphasized the need for them to embrace “innovation, collaboration, and connection” to grow their business. Furthermore, he inform those present of the opportunities available to small businesses in Guyana through the SBB such as loans, grants and small business market place.
The Growing Together initiative is a curriculum-based training program that is available to local merchants. The program is offered through weekly tutor-led sessions for these business owners and includes management topics such as Entrepreneurship, Small Business Finance, Customer Service, and Innovation. Over the next year Banks DIH Limited will target 300 of these businesses in Guyana. Participants are awarded a certificate upon completion of the program.
The Coca Cola Growing Together program has already graduated thousands of small businesses owners in Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago and the Dominican Republic.
For more information on the Growing Together Small Business Training Program please contact sforrester@banksdih.com| Telephone: 225-0910 ext 2232
About Banks D.I.H Limited
Banks DIH Limited is a leading Food and Beverage Manufacturer in Guyana. Its principle operations includes food and beverage production and Restaurant operations. Automotive and Financial service are also provided through its subsidiaries Banks Automotive and Services Inc. and Citizen’s Bank Guyana Inc., respectively.
The Mission:We are committed to building on our Traditions of Excellence by providing Quality Products and Services, Financial Results and Management Performance that meet the interests of our Shareholders, Employees, Customers, Suppliers and the Communities in which we operate. Learn more at BANKSDIH. Follow us on LinkedIn
About The Coca-Cola Company
The Coca-Cola Company is a total beverage company with products sold in more than 200 countries and territories. Our company’s purpose is to refresh the world and make a difference. We sell multiple billion-dollar brands across several beverage categories worldwide. Our portfolio of sparkling soft drink brands includes Coca-Cola, Sprite and Fanta. Our water, sports, coffee and tea brands include Dasani, smartwater, vitaminwater, Topo Chico, BODYARMOR, Powerade, Costa, Georgia, Gold Peak and Ayataka. Our juice, value-added dairy and plant-based beverage brands include Minute Maid, Simply, innocent, Del Valle, fairlife and AdeS. We’re constantly transforming our portfolio, from reducing sugar in our drinks to bringing innovative new products to market. We seek to positively impact people’s lives, communities and the planet through water replenishment, packaging recycling, sustainable sourcing practices and carbon emissions reductions across our value chain. Together with our bottling partners, we employ more than 700,000 people, helping bring economic opportunity to local communities worldwide. Learn more at www.coca-colacompany.com