Press Releases

The Centre for Enterprise Development Inc. (CED) is inviting Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in St. Vincent and the Grenadines to participate in its Business Continuity Planning (BCP) for MSMEs Workshop scheduled for September.

The training aims to help thirty (30) MSMEs develop their own Business Continuity Plans (BCP), ensuring that they are well-prepared to respond effectively to unforeseen disruptions – whether it be natural disasters, economic challenges, or other crises. It is scheduled to take place 9-11 September, at the UWI Global Campus, Kingstown, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The workshop will provide participants with the tools, knowledge, and practical steps needed to safeguard their operations and ensure business resilience in times of uncertainty. It is designed to help participants to equip their businesses with a robust plan to minimize disruptions and safeguard operations, strengthen their businesses’ ability to quickly recover and adapt to unforeseen challenges, and help them gain practical knowledge on risk management and business resilience that can be applied directly to your operations.

According to the CED, this BCP training is timely and necessary, especially after the experiences and impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the La Soufriere volcanic eruptions in 2021, and Hurricane Beryl last year.

“If there is anything that we have learned over the past five years, and now that we are into yet another active hurricane season, it is that it is critical for MSMEs to have a plan in place to manage their continuity in the event of any disruption,” says CED Training and Education Coordinator, Keisha Phillips. “However, Business Continuity Management or Planning is more than just “disaster recovery”; it is about preventing loss, and preparing for disruptive incidents that may cripple your operations for a period of time, or ruin your ability to function.”

“A Business Continuity Plan can help businesses when faced with such kind of disruptions, and the CED is offering this opportunity to empower MSME owners and their staff in getting in-depth understanding of the importance of Business Continuity Planning and the need to develop a plan for their businesses. We wish to urge businesses to take this training opportunity.”

Registration for this workshop closes on 20 August. Interested persons can register at: http://bit.ly/4m7v0vg .

KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, 18 July, 2025 – The men’s empowerment project, titled ‘Technical Assistance for Men’s Employment and Entrepreneurship Development’ (TAMEED) Project, which was implemented by the Centre for Enterprise Development Inc. (CED), with funding from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, ended today with a Closing and Grant Awards Ceremony.

The culmination of the project was marked with number of businesses receiving seed fund injections totaling XCD$220,000 that are expected to improve and expand their businesses.

The financial grants were disbursed among thirty-six (36) entrepreneurs who completed the men’s empowerment project, which was developed by the CED to equip male entrepreneurs with the skills necessary for sustainable growth and development in their enterprises. Its main focus was on personal and professional development, mentorship, and financial grants.

Thirty-four (34) participants were recipients of grants of XCD$5,000 each, while the winners of the Business Pitch Competition held on 15 July, Ferique Shortte of Union Food Processing and Eric Clarke of Teric’s Poultry and Meats, received XCD$15,000 and $10,000 for first and second place prizes respectively.

Addressing the Closing and Grant Awards Ceremony at the Lecture Hall of the UWI Global Campus today, General Manager of the CED, Ronette Lewis, promised that they will continue to provide technical support to the grant recipients even though the project has ended, noting that the end of the project marks a new beginning for them.

“The knowledge, the insights and the networks that you have formed over these last few months are really seeds. So now it’s up to each and every one of you to plant the seeds in your communities; plant the seeds in your families; plant the seeds in your businesses and plant these seeds in yourselves.”

She said that over the next few months, the CED would continue to monitor the businesses to see how the grants are invested and how the entrepreneurs are implementing their training into their operations.

Pierre Gonazlez, Self Reliance Manager for Area, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, expressed satisfaction with the project and said they plan to partner with the CED on future programmes. He urged the grant recipients to share with others how the project has impacted their lives and businesses, so that they too can benefit from future programmes.

“I think this, what we’re doing in this project, symbolizes that; it gives power to our creative natures, to our potentials as sons and daughters of God that we can create things, that we have that ability to provide things for ourselves. And I believe that when we are blessed with something I think it comes naturally to share it others. We want to do more projects like this. We feel that many people can be blessed,” Gonzalez said.

Another representative of the Church, President Cozi Stewart, advised the participants to work together to ensure that their businesses succeed. “I just want you to know that we will continue to support you. We’ll do our very best to make sure that you find success, because your success means that our country is successful. That’s a good thing,” Stewart stated.

DRIVING SMALL BUSINESS GROWTH AND EMPLOYMENT

Meanwhile, as the project ended, participants spoke of the positive impact it has had on them as individuals and as business owners. Reflecting on his experience in the project, Ferique Shortte of Union Food Processing, who won the Business Pitch Competition, said it was more than just acquiring skills.

“It is about fostering a mindset of continuous learning, resilience, and innovation. The knowledge and administrative expertise we have gained here are stepping stones to scaling our businesses, accessing new markets, and contributing to the economic and social development of St Vincent and the Grenadines.”

According to Shortte, the project stands as a testament to the power of education and collaboration in driving small business growth and employment. He also commended his fellow grant recipients, noting that the future of business and employment in St. Vincent and the Grenadines is brighter because of their commitment and passion.

“As you leave here today, remember that entrepreneurship is not a solitary journey,” he cautioned. “Continue to seek mentorship, embrace collaboration, and remain open to new ideas. Your growth as entrepreneurs will not only shape your own futures, but will also create jobs, inspire others, and drive progress in our society.”

Winner of the TAMEED Business Pitch Competition, FERIQUE SHORTTE (left), and second place winner ERIC CLARKE (right).

Ferique Shortte, owner and operator of  Union Food Processing, a startup business, captured the first-place prize in the men’s empowerment project Business Pitch Competition, held on 15 July, 2025, at the Centre for Enterprise Development Inc (CED) Conference Room.

Shortte emerged the winner from among five (5) finalists in the competition, which was held under the Technical Assistance for Men’s Employment and Entrepreneurship Development (TAMEED) Project being executed by the CED, with funding from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Shortte, whose business produces a variety of processed hams and sausages, will receive a cash grant prize of XCD$15,000. The second-place winner, Eric Clarke of Teric’s Poultry and Meats, which specializing in providing fresh whole chicken and beef, will be awarded XCD$10,000.

The competition was one of the major highlights of the project, which commenced in January. The project was developed by the CED to equip male entrepreneurs with the skills necessary for sustainable growth and development in their enterprises. It is focused on three key components: personal and professional development, mentorship, and financial grants.

The other finalists were Hartiem Farrell of Hartiem Farrell Couture, Jessie DaSouza of Vibie’s Concrete Products and Services, and Rayshorn Richardson of Eknotec Services Ltd.

The TAMEED Project will culminate on Friday, 18 July with the Closing and Grant Awards Ceremony at the Lecture Hall, UWI Global Campus at 9:00 a.m. A total of thirty-six (36) entrepreneurs who completed the six-month project, will receive financial grants that will be used to improve and expand their businesses.