Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has announced a complete revamping of the Dominica Youth Business Trust (DYBT).
He made the announcement during his party engagement with the young people of Dominica.
“There will be a complete revamping of the Dominica Youth Business Trust to make it more accessible to more young people in a more timely fashion, with a lower interest rate,” he said. “As a matter of fact, the interest rate will go down to 2 and 3 percent to lend to young people for small businesses in Dominica, and we will be speaking about that.”
According to Skerrit, $5 million will be set aside to allow more young people to have access to loans and grants in order to enhance their small businesses and allow their dreams to be materialized with the government’s support.
Information from dybt.gov.dm states that the DYBT is an initiative aimed at fostering entrepreneurship among young people on the island.
Launched in May 2004, the DYBT represents a model that combines attributes of past initiatives, pooling resources and inputs from several institutes and donors into a coordinated project.
The DYBT says its mission is to empower Dominican youth to realize their entrepreneurial potential by facilitating access to financial, technical and social assistance.
The DYBT’s model emphasizes strong training and mentorship, ensuring that participants not only gain technical skills but also receive comprehensive support in their entrepreneurial journey.
What happens to the young people whose parents have paid out of pocket for university? What about those who what to stay, contribute and build a life at home?
My own child does not want to leave Dominica, but may be forced to do so, because the only jobs available are temporary, state-dependent programmes like the NEP, which most of them are reserved for SLP followers.
Isle of beauty, Isle of splendour…so rich in talent, intelligence and resilience, but without serious leadership, we risk bleeding our future – one young person at a time.
At this point, I would rather take a chance on Fontaine than spend another 5 years watching the continued deterioration of this beautiful country under the Skerrit Labour Party, because at this juncture, change is less dangerous than stagnation
I have held my peace for a long time, just observing what has been taking place. Roosevelt Skerrit took office when I was 23 years old. 21 years later, little change has occurred, apart from the many housing projects constructed over the years and the long-elusive international airport, which is welcome but not a priority at this time.
Suffice it to say that after 21 years under the Skerrit Labour Party (SLP), Dominica still has no long-term economic plan. No vision for the future…only recycled rhetoric and division. From my perspective, Dominica will need at least 50 years to recover from the damage caused by decades of short-term thinking and poor governance under the SLP government.
Young people are being steered toward survival-level livelihoods, while real opportunities for educated, skilled graduates barely exist. Taxi operators, nail technicians, hair braiders (careers with dignity, yes), but these cannot be the limit of national ambition.
To access a government loan you have to be a card carrying, red shirt wearing, oath swearing fanatic of Roosevelt led party.
For any public policy to be successful in Dominica it must not become exclusionary. inclusivity is key.
* INCLUSION works to the advantage of everyone.
*INCLUSION is not a matter of political correctness. it is the KEY to grow.
The I-man ( Roosevelt) has the country splintered like a cracked mirror.
“To access a government loan you have to be a card carrying, red shirt wearing, oath swearing fanatic of Roosevelt led party.”
But I thought the new and improved DNO was all about shooting down misinformation and unsubstantiated hogwash of this type. How then does DNO allow the publication of this lie? Huh, DNO? How? SMFH! Call out Ibo for this foolishness and make him show proof of this foolishness (as you have done to others) instead of allowing him the space to propagate this lie.
Now the tables turn on you. You want to come and call onto be fair
Ah ha! So you agree that he is telling a blatant lie. Good start!