Growing Together with Coca-Cola Small Businesses Training Program, promoting economic empowerment in the CARICOM
The Coca-Cola Caribbean System in Guyana launches this innovative economic empowerment initiative focused on the continuing growth and sustainability of traditional trade businesses which provides free training focused on acquiring administrative, financial, and digital knowledge for shopkeepers in Guyana.
Georgetown, Thirst Park - August 2, 2023 – The Coca-Cola Caribbean System in Guyana composed of Banks DIH Limited and Coca-Cola Central Operations announced the launch of the 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 will be available to small business enterprises, a crucial economic engine for the country and generations of families across Guyana.
The Coca-Cola Caribbean System has positioned itself as the regional leader in portfolio innovation with long-term commitments to a global environmental, social, and governance (ESG) agenda seeking impact on the socio-economic growth of communities throughout the region. And with the "Growing Together with Coca-Cola" training program they also want to become a reference for promoting regional prosperity.
“At Banks DIH Limited, we firmly believe in the power of education and innovation as drivers of progress and prosperity. We understand the challenges faced by Traditional Groceries businesses in Guyana's dynamic market, and we recognize the immense potential they hold in shaping our economy and fostering a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem as they influence families and communities.” - Sonya Forrester, Training/Communications Executive Banks DIH Limited.
“For the Coca-Cola Company along with our partners, it is always a priority to support all of those who make it possible for us to achieve our purpose of refreshing the world and making a difference. Growing Together with Coca-Cola will help all participants strengthen their businesses and personal development with pragmatic and engaging knowledge specifically related to operating their stores. We reaffirm our commitment to promote the development of the communities in which we operate”. - Lidia Castro, Public Affairs, Communications and Sustainability Senior Manager – Caribbean for The Coca-Cola Company.
The Growing Together initiative is a curriculum-based training program that will be available to local merchants. The program will be offered through weekly tutor-led sessions for these business owners and will include management topics such as Entrepreneurship, Small Business Finance, Customer Service, and Innovation. The program targets 300 small businesses and runs for about one and a half months. Participants will be awarded a certificate upon completion of the program.
Small shops, traditional trade mom and pops and convenience stores are essential for the communities where they are located. Which is why The Coca-Cola Caribbean System in Guyana is proud to support their growth and development through economic empowerment initiatives like Growing Together with
Coca-Cola which has already graduated thousands of small businesses owners in Barbados, Trinidad and
Tobago and the Dominican Republic.
For decades, the Coca-Cola System - Central Operations has positioned itself as the regional leader in portfolio innovation with long-term commitments to a global environmental, social, and governance (ESG) agenda seeking impact on the socio-economic growth of communities throughout the region.
