Press Releases
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.
KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, 1 July, 2025 – The Centre for Enterprise Development Inc, (CED) is proud to announce its upcoming Business Pitch Competition, where five dynamic entrepreneurs will compete for a chance to secure funding through its Technical Assistance for Men’s Employment and Entrepreneurship Development project (TAMEED). The competition will highlight innovation, social impact, and business readiness.
The five finalists will be vying for cash grants in the competition, which is being organized by the Centre for Enterprise Development Inc, the executing agency for the TAMEED Project, with funding from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The finalists are Eric Clarke of Teric’s Poultry and Meats, Jessie DaSouza of Vibie’s Concrete Products and Services, Hartiem Farrell of Hartiem Farrell Couture, Rayshorn Richardson of Eknotec Services Ltd, and Ferique Shortte of Union Food Processing.
The competition is 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.
This highly anticipated event will take place on Tuesday, 15 July, 2025 before a panel of judges at the CED Conference Room. First and second place winners will each receive cash grants of XCD$15,000 and XCD $10,000 respectively.
The TAMEED project will end with a closing ceremony on 18 July, when the winners of the Business Pitch Competition and the other participants who complete the project, will receive financial grants that will be used to improve and expand their businesses.
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.