Copyright stabroeknews
The Institute of Private Enterprise Development Limited (IPED) has officially launched a year-long celebration of its 40th Anniversary commemorating four decades of empowering Guyanese entrepreneurs, transforming lives, and contributing to national development. An IPED release said the theme celebrating IPED’s 40th anniversary is “A Legacy of Empowerment: 40 Years of Promoting Entrepreneurship, Transforming Lives, and Supporting National Development.” In retracing the origin of IPED, the release said that the institution was founded on the vision of the late Dr. Yesu Persaud out of his deep conviction that Guyanese could chart their own economic destiny through entrepreneurship. Initially established in 1985 as the Institute of Small Enterprise Development (ISED) it was formally incorporated in 1986. The institute gained early recognition from the late President Desmond Hoyte’s Government. He declared it an ‘Institution of National Worth’ for its crucial role in rebuilding the social and economic fabric of the nation. IPED, the release noted, was molded in a period when Guyana’s economy was shaped by Cooperative Socialism and private enterprise was discouraged. Here the release said that Dr. Persaud recognized the urgent need for an institution that would rekindle Guyana’s entrepreneurial spirit and restore confidence in local business innovation. That vision, the release continued, gave rise to IPED which has continued to inspire enterprise and self-reliance among thousands of Guyanese.
