Four young entrepreneurs complete DYBT program

Four young vibrant entrepreneurs on the island, who provide their goods and services to local and overseas market, have successfully completed the Dominica Youth Business Trust (DYBT) program.

To date, the DYBT has trained 500 young entrepreneurs and over a hundred of them have received financial assistance.

The successful entrepreneurs are Kervin Vidal owner of K V’s Delight in Salisbury, Sonia Nestor, whose business Nestor’s Best, processes dried fruits, Roystan Daniel owner of RI-O, which produces granola bars and Linvo Ambo of Salisbury, owner of Allorvee Business Venture who processes local instant cocoa powder.

Speaking at a Global Entrepreneurship week Youth Forum on Entrepreneurship and Agriculture held at the Dominica Public Service Union (DPSU) on Tuesday, Business Development Officer at NDFD and Trustee on the DYBT board, Lydia Andrew said youth unemployment have become a major crisis in the world and as a result world leaders are encouraging young people to establish their own businesses.

She stated the International Labour Organization (ILO) has pointed out that young people are three times more likely to be unemployed than adults, “and almost 73 million youth are seeking employment opportunities.”

“Most young persons in the Caribbean face little prospects of obtaining employment in the formal sector and as a result turn into entrepreneurship, the only possible alternatives,” she said.

Andrew stated further studies have showed that entrepreneurship makes a significant contribution towards wealth creation and poverty reduction.

“Entrepreneurship especially for young people is a key driver to developing the human capital necessary for the future,” she stated.

She urged young people to be innovative and think outside the box.

“Challenge yourself, be abreast with current issues, study the market, provide excellent customer service, be positive, be opened to positive criticisms and give a hundred percent in everything you do,” Andrew urged.

Meanwhile, Coordinator of DYBT, Kerry-Ann Remie said Global Entrepreneurship week is, “the world’s largest celebration of innovators and job creators that brings ideas to life, drive economic growth and expand human welfare.”

“We hope that certain objectives can be achieved today,” she said. “To inform young people about the importance of agriculture, to highlight young entrepreneurs involved in the agro-processing sector, to transform the mindset of young people about getting connected to agro-processing and to allow young people to make a valid contribution on how the sector can become attractive to them.”