Delices, Dominica: Waitikubuli Entrepreneurs Leve (WEL) along with Dominica Youth Business Trust (DYBT) will feature Paula Calderon, President of the St. Lucia Manufacturers Association at the Public Day and Closing Ceremony of the 2011 entrepreneur retreat commemorating Global Entrepreneurship Week.
Mrs. Calderon will highlight the impact the young Caribbean entrepreneurs will have in shaping the region’s future. The event will be held on Friday November 18 at 10:00am at Jungle Bay Resort and marks the completion of the intensive, weeklong retreat by 23 emerging Dominican entrepreneurs.
Participants of this year’s retreat will undergo a rigorous business training program which will include the development of a viable business plan, sales & marketing techniques, customer service training, and financial and human resource management. They will also establish relationships with individuals from key financial institutions and will hear motivational accounts from several Dominican entrepreneurs.
WEL is an NGO which was established in 2010 by Dominican entrepreneurs and concerned citizens to help young prospective entrepreneurs. WEL has partnered with DYBT to host this second retreat. Other sponsors include the Eastern Caribbean Youth Microenterprise Program funded by the United States Agency for International Development, the Invest Dominica Authority and Jungle Bay Resort. This initiative is also supported by the Youth Division of the Government of Dominica, members of Dominica’s business community and other concerned citizens.
Last Year’s GEW retreat was a tremendous success. Seven of the 23 participants have opened businesses and several others are setting up new businesses. WEL President Sam Raphael is delighted and is looking forward to great things from this year’s recruits. Raphael says “young entrepreneurs who are mentored by WEL, DYBT and other similar initiatives will play a major role in shaping Dominica’s future. It is encouraging to see the impact of this initiative after just one year. I salute the dedicated WEL volunteers, DYBT staff and the young people who have embraced this opportunity to improve themselves. The appreciation and progress shown makes it easy to continue to invest time and resources on them.”
Great entrepreneurial development initiative. Would have been good to read about the types of business ventures being undertaken by the 23 emerging entrepreneurs.
Terrific! Just shows you don’t have to rely on Govt. to do everything.Self-reliance and taking initiative are always the best start to a successful business. How refereshing to hear such postive news in a depressed economy.