Small Business stimulator showcased as SME Fair
Basseterre, St. Kitts (SKNIS) — The National Entrepreneurial Development Division (NEDD) showcased its services at Caribbean Development Bank’s small business fair today (May 30) at the Independence Square.
Delwayne Delaney, Project Officer for NEDD in the Ministry of International Trade and Commerce, said that the division exists to provide entrepreneurs with critical assistance such as training, strategy design, financing and special concessions, and has assisted over 200 entrepreneurs thus far including Vibes Beach Bar and popular local artiste Infamous.
Delaney also said that the success of small business enterprises is important to the overall economic growth of the federation because it helps to stimulate self-sufficiency.
“Well we always hear that small business is the driver for growth and can really assist the economic development in a country”, said Delaney. “We know jobs are scarce right now so the option of developing or starting your own business or generating your own income is a real plus for those who aren’t employed.
Permanent secretary in the Ministry of International Trade and Development, Charleton Edwards, said the intention of the division is to help promote economic growth and development and support the government’s goal for small business development.
“We want to see increased employment and the building of a greater entrepreneurial spirit where young persons will understand that there’s an avenue for you to be self-empowered. So we try to help by providing the skill set and other forms of assistance. We even have some after-establishment programmes where we see how you’re doing in your marketing strategy and outreach and see if there’s any other support we can provide.”
NEDD was established in 2009 as a Government funded project and is accessible free of cost to locally owned small businesses and entrepreneurs in the federation. Its partners include the Caribbean Development Bank, Commonwealth Secretariat, Foundation for National Development, International Labour Organization and the OECS Secretariat.