Press Releases

The Centre for Enterprise Development Inc. (CED) held a Men’s Empowerment Business Symposium on Thursday, 19 June, 2025, under the Technical Assistance for Men’s Employment and Entrepreneurship Development (TAMEED) Project.

The Symposium, hosted at the Kingstown Baptist Church, featured addresses by prominent figures including the Honourable Camillo Gonsalves, Minister of Finance, Economic Development, and Information Technology; the Honourable Orando Brewster, Minister of Housing, Youth, and Sports; and Mrs. Ronette Lewis, General Manager of the CED. The event’s feature address was delivered by Dr. Julian Ferdinand, a distinguished lecturer, author, and business consultant, who spoke on the Symposium’s theme, “Power in Connection: Collaborating & Networking for Men’s Business Growth”.

In her welcoming remarks, CED General Manager, Mrs. Ronette Lewis expressed her hope that the symposium would be the first of many dedicated to fostering growth, resilience, and leadership among entrepreneurs. She emphasized that while the TAMEED Project, which is funded by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, aims 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.

“Let us remember that true empowerment comes from a collective and shared vision for a prosperous future for St. Vincent and the Grenadines,” she concluded.

The Honourable Camillo Gonsalves, Minister of Finance, Economic Development, and Information Technology, emphasized the importance of prioritizing business development and fostering entrepreneurship, particularly among the youth. Gonsalves underscored that while an idea is a starting point, that alone does not constitute a business, and commended the role of the CED in transforming innovative ideas into viable enterprises.

Gonsalves also highlighted the need to cultivate resilience among young entrepreneurs, stating, “We wanted to create that sense in young people, especially that if your business fails, you are not a failure, that you should take lessons out of that and move to your next business.”

He also highlighted the gender dynamics at play, noting that while women are excelling academically and increasingly entering the job market, young men often show disinterest in entrepreneurship due to a lack of positive male role models. He expressed hope that participants in the TAMEED Project will step into this gap, serving as mentors and inspiring other young men to pursue entrepreneurial paths. This, he said he believes, is essential for fostering a more balanced and inclusive economic landscape.

In his address, the Honourable Orando Brewster, Minister of Housing, Youth, and Sports, urged aspiring entrepreneurs in St. Vincent and the Grenadines to identify and capitalize on niche opportunities within the tourism industry to establish successful businesses. He emphasized the importance of adopting strategic and innovative marketing approaches to carve out a distinct niche for their products.

“Sometimes you go across St. Vincent and you see that there are little trinkets but they’re all branded ‘St. Vincent’, but you need to put that personal touch based on your location; the area that you’re from, be strategic, be innovative as to how you can market your product and create a niche for yourself,” the former Gender Affairs Minister advised.

Additionally, Brewster highlighted the critical role of sound financial management in ensuring the long-term sustainability of their ventures.

The Featured speaker, Dr. Julian Ferdinand, emphasized the importance of collaboration over competition for sustainable business success. He highlighted that success is no longer solely based on individual abilities, but on effective networking and teamwork. He illustrated how collaboration can lead to better outcomes.

In his address, Dr. Ferdinand outlined 10 key principles for successful collaboration, stressing that in order to build a successful and sustainable partnerships, it is essential to align shared goals and values, complement each other’s strengths, prioritize clear and transparent communication to foster trust and commitment; ensure reliability, create mutual benefits, ensure partners have a good reputation with the right attitude, practice respectful and authentic networking etiquette, focus on long-term potential for a bright future, establish a clear conflict resolution plan, and address legal and ethical considerations with clear documentation and risk assessment.

“Look at things that would build you up,” he urged the TAMEED participants. “If you sow a thought, you reap an action; if you sow an action, you reap a habit; if you sow a habit, you reap a character; and if you sow a character, you reap a destiny. Your destiny and my destiny are largely influenced by the thoughts we entertain.”

The Men’s Empowerment Business Symposium also featured a thought-provoking panel discussion on the topic, “Strategic Investment for Innovation and Sustainable Business Growth”, followed by a business fair featuring participation from a diverse range of private and public sector agencies, including banks, credit unions, the SVG Bureau of Standards, the National Insurance Services, Invest SVG, and other key organizations.

The six-member panel comprised Stewart Haynes, Executive Director of the National Insurance Services (NIS); Mr. Anthony Regisford, Executive Director of the SVG Chamber of Industry and Commerce; Mr. Paul Morris, Managing Director of MAVCOM; Mr. Alexis John, Managing Director of Fanfare SVG; Miss Glendris Holder, owner of Leb’Elle Foot and Nail Clinic; and youth entrepreneur Mr. Dominic Frederick, owner of Seafood Sensation and Superior Farms SVG.

CONCESSIONS FOR TAMEED PARTICIPANTS

Meanwhile, the entrepreneurs in the TAMEED Project can look forward to being granted concessions on their imports, once they have graduated from the program

This announcement was made by the Honourable Minister of Finance, Camillo Gonsalves, as he addressed the Men’s Empowerment Business Symposium.

“We want to assure you that once you’ve successfully completed the CED program, you can write to us, specifying the tools or equipment upon confirming your graduation and that you intend to import. Upon receiving your request, the responsibility for facilitating that import will rest with us,” the Finance Minister assured.

The six-month TAMEED project will end in July.

KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, 9 June, 2025 – A Men’s Empowerment Business Symposium, organized by the Centre for Enterprise Development Inc. (CED), will be held on Thursday, 19 June, under the Technical Assistance for Men’s Employment and Entrepreneurship Development (TAMEED) Project.

The Symposium will be held under the theme, "Power in Connection: Collaborating & Networking for Men's Business Growth" as participants in the TAMEED Project, innovators, entrepreneurs, financial institutions and business agencies meet to discuss challenges and solutions that are affecting the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.  The goal of the event is to unlock opportunities to scale business, improve efficiency and secure long-term financial success for their businesses.

The Men’s Empowerment Business Symposium begins at 9:00 a.m. with Opening Ceremony, which will be addressed by the Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Information Technology, the Honourable Camillo Gonsalves; Minister of Housing, Youth and Sports, the Honourable Orando Brewster, and CED General Manager, Mrs. Ronette Lewis. Lecturer, author and business consultant, Dr. Julian Ferdinand, will deliver the feature address on the theme for the Business Symposium.

Following the opening ceremony, participants and guests will be engaged in a panel discussion at 10:00 a.m. on the topic, “Strategic Investment for Innovation and Sustainable Business Growth”. The panelists are Stewart Haynes, Executive Director of the National Insurance Services (NIS); Mr. Anthony Regisford, Executive Director of the SVG Chamber of Industry and Commerce; Mr. Paul Morris, Managing Director of MAVCOM; Mr. Alexis John, Managing Director of Fanfare SVG; Miss Glendris Holder, owner of Leb’Elle Foot and Nail Clinic; and youth entrepreneur Mr. Dominic Frederick, owner of Seafood Sensation and Superior Farms SVG.

The afternoon segment of the event will feature a Business Fair where they will interact with various private and public sector agencies, such as banks and credit unions, the SVG Bureau of Standards, the National Insurance Services, National Development Foundation, Invest SVG, among others. It is an opportunity for the entrepreneurs in the TAMEED project to meet one-on-one with representatives from agencies to network and get first-hand information.

Meanwhile, as the project nears its end, participants continue to receive business skills training, technical assistance and mentorship. 

About the TAMEED Project

The Technical Assistance for Men’s Employment and Entrepreneurship Development (TAMEED) Project was developed by the Centre for Enterprise Development Inc (CED) and is funded by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The six-month project aims to empower men by equipping them with the necessary skills, resources, and guidance to achieve sustainable employment and entrepreneurial success. This initiative addresses the challenges men face in today’s competitive job market and business environment by providing tailored support and practical solutions.

KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent, 16 April, 2025 – A project that is designed to reposition the Centre for Enterprise Development Inc. (CED) as a catalyst for transformation in the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) sector in St. Vincent and the Grenadines was today launched by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).

The project, which is funded to the tune of US$44,200, will develop a five-year strategic plan for the CED, and reflects the CDB’s shared commitment to raise the quality of life for everyone by enabling economic resilience, social equity, and environmental sustainability.            

Speaking at the launching ceremony at the CED Conference Room, Lisa Harding, Acting Head of Private Sector Division at the CDB, emphasized the importance of the project towards strengthening CED’s capacity to deliver services that will improve private sector development.

“This Strategic Plan is not just a roadmap; it is a reimagining of CED’s role in a rapidly evolving economic landscape. It will expand CED’s reach beyond traditional advisory services to emerging growth sectors like renewable energy, digital innovation, and the creative economy; embed climate resilience, sustainability, and advocacy at the heart of MSME development; create robust monitoring and evaluation systems to ensure accountability, agility, and continuous learning; and strengthen MSMEs in critical areas like management, leadership development, innovation, and market access.”

She noted that the Country Engagement Strategy 2022-26 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines aligns closely to the government’s National Economic and Social Development Plan (2013-2025), which seeks to build a resilient, diversified economy that creates jobs, reduces poverty, and improves the quality of life. Harding said the partnership with the CED is part of the CDB’s strategic vision of a future that is guided by the pillars: innovate, transform and thrive.

“By equipping MSMEs with the tools, networks, and support they need to grow, we are investing in a future where innovation drives productivity, competitiveness fuels exports, and resilience is built from the inside out,” Harding stated. “As the Strategic Plan takes shape, we anticipate enhanced policy frameworks that support entrepreneurship and innovation; increased business formalization and access to finance, greater competitiveness of MSMEs across all sectors; and ultimately more robust participation in global and regional value chains.”   

Ronette Lewis, General Manager at the CED, welcomed the partnership, which she said, comes at a crucial time when the organization is moving to strengthen its institutional framework and chart a more focused and impactful way forward.  She described the Strategic Plan as “blueprint” that would guide the CED as it evolves to better meet the challenging needs of the broader economic landscape.

Lewis expressed gratitude to the CDB for its continued support and commitment towards strengthening institutions like CED and fostering development in the region.

“With this support, we are not just building a plan. We are building a future where innovation and economic growth go hand-in-hand. A future where entrepreneurship is accessible, equitable, and sustainable. A future where CED becomes an even stronger catalyst for economic development and resilience in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.”

Lewis said with the world facing some unprecedented times, the region must implement new strategies in order to survive.

The project launch also got an overview of the project from Allyson Francis, Operations Officer for MSMEs in the Private Sector Division at the CDB, and was attended by stakeholder agencies and the local media.

While in St. Vincent, the CDB team also conducted a consultation with stakeholders in private sector development.

The Centre for Enterprise Development Inc (CED) is pleased to announce that (10) businesses owned and operated by women in St. Vincent and the Grenadines are among sixty (60) businesses featured in a regional catalogue developed by the Organization of American States (OAS) Women's Economic Empowerment (WEE) Project.

The recently launched OAS WEE Catalogue of Market-Ready Women-Led Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the Eastern Caribbean is an initiative that spotlights and support women entrepreneurs across the region, with the aim of fostering economic growth and resilience.​ The WEE Catalogue serves as a comprehensive directory, showcasing a diverse array of women-led businesses across various industries, including agriculture, manufacturing,

By facilitating connections between these enterprises and potential partners, investors, and stakeholders, the WEE Catalogue seeks to enhance visibility and create opportunities for collaboration and expansion.​

The local businesses featured are Camara Tea, Jazzy's All Natural, Kimya Glasgow Inc., Leb'Elle Foot and Nail Clinic, Marslyn’s, Miss Cassandra's, My Crown of Curls, Samantha Paperwork Designs Plus, Searles Agro Products, and Siteseeing With Cass. They were selected from among twelve (12) Vincentian-owned businesses that applied for the opportunity to be included in the catalogue.

The CED, as the National Focal Point to the OAS WEE Project, is pleased that these businesses are features in the catalogue.

“Under this project, many of our women-led businesses have benefited from various capacity building opportunities and other initiatives that are all geared to better position them to be successful and to access market opportunities regionally and internationally. Over the last two years, this project has sought to address the challenges women entrepreneurs in the region face in accessing finance, marketing and establishing networks, and we at the CED are proud of the women whose businesses are featured and all others who have participated in the OAS WEE Project,” says Keisha Phillips National Focal Point to the OAS WEE Project/CED Training and Education Coordinator.

The Organization of American States (OAS) Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) Project is being implemented in 6 Eastern Caribbean Countries (Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines) to empower women-led and women-owned MSMEs to actively participate in and benefit from the digital economy and build sustainable livelihoods. Over 600 women across the participating countries are benefiting from tools, resources and opportunities to support the digital transformation of their business.

To access the catalogue, please visit the website: Here