Young Dominican entrepreneurs to benefit from $1M government grant

PM Skerrit speaking at DYBT graduation ceremony

The Dominica Youth Business Trust (DYBT) will benefit from an additional $1 million made possible by the Government of Dominica to support its activities.

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit made that disclosure while delivering the feature address at the 17th Graduation and Award Ceremony of the DYBT held at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Open Campus Auditorium on Elmshall Road last week.

A total of 103 young people received their certificates for attending DYBT training which was held from December 2020 to August 2021.

 “I announce the decision to make available an additional 1 million dollars to the Dominica Youth Business Trust to support its activities,” Skerrit announced. “These funds are specifically intended for investments in the dreams of young entrepreneurs like you who need that added boost to bring your business idea to life.”

He said he hopes the funds will also facilitate the participation of many young Dominicans in the training and mentorship programs offered by the DYBT.

The Prime Minister said this year his government will continue to focus on the creation of valuable and viable sustainable jobs for the country’s young people, “especially in the digital economy.”

“Last year, as part of our vision for a more dynamic Dominica, we secured up to EC75 million dollars from the World Bank to advance development in that sector and create new cutting edge jobs for our youth,” Skerrit stated.

He urged young people to take advantage of these opportunities.

Acting Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment, Youth at risk, Gender Affairs, Senior’s Security & Dominicans with Disabilities, Senator Gregory Riviere, said as the number of DYBT clients increases, there comes a need for more mentors and strategic partners.

“The ever changing business environment also necessitates that the trust be able to respond to and support an emerging type of entrepreneurs,” he indicated. “That is why just last year DYBT was able to launch and successfully completed its first cohort of its social entrepreneur incubator project, a program geared at strengthening the capacity of social entrepreneurs in Dominica.”

Meantime, Chairperson of the DYBT, Frederica James, said despite the challenges associated with the Covid-19 pandemic, youth entrepreneurs around the world are finding innovative ways to navigate the impact of this global phenomenon and support their communities by developing new products and services.

James believes that by attending technical training programmes like those offered by the DYBT, trainers can develop the entrepreneurial mindset to start and run successful businesses.

“They can grasp innovation, introduce new competition in the market and therefore, contribute to the economic productivity of the local economy,” she said.

At the graduation and awards ceremony, the DYBT presented the most determined female entrepreneur award to Nora St Rose and the most determined male entrepreneur award to Lornson Alexander.

From its inception in 2004 to-date, the trust has trained over 1,000 young people in various areas of business and self-development skills.

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24 Comments

  1. Lawyer
    February 2, 2022

    So instead of Red Clinic payments, Dominicas ‘Entrepreneurs’ are getting Red Grants. Naturally, all these ‘grants’ will be made available in time before the next election.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 23 Thumb down 1
  2. Bre
    February 1, 2022

    I live in NYC and I can bring down two plane loads of voters- We will stop in Miami and connect to Douglas Charles. Can I get a grant tooo Lord Skerrit???? Please, Please. Or you don’t need my services because I heard that have that contracted out already to some North American or Bajan firm- Shame, !!! shame!!!!

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 18 Thumb down 1
    • Gary
      February 1, 2022

      Wow, you are entitled to your opinion, but it just shows on you what partisan politics has done to your mind, making your partisan political beliefs the dominant factor in analyzing issues as it pertains to the Country ignoring reason to make an informed opinion, so long be content with what you idolize as shame.

      Hot debate. What do you think? Thumb up 1 Thumb down 29
      • bre
        February 2, 2022

        Gary how much are you being paid by CBI $$$$???? Nice gig I am sure- so defend away my son………

        Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 16 Thumb down 0
        • Gary
          February 3, 2022

          What is wrong with you guys, why is it if someone thinks and express a different opinion you have to assume such nonsense that the person is paid by CBI $$$$????, is this some kind of hypnotic narrative, so long for your silliness.

          Hot debate. What do you think? Thumb up 0 Thumb down 20
  3. Under the radar
    February 1, 2022

    More cool out using our institutions meant to benefit and grow small business… just remember, lying to the donors and their agents who slide in to Dominica to gather Intel will end horribly.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 1
  4. February 1, 2022

    Miseur MaTerre, me olah ca tapen tout largant sala? Dominica does not have a viable economy, no consistent exportation, no money printing press, yet we hear of consecutive millions and millions dollar ventures.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 13 Thumb down 0
    • Gary
      February 1, 2022

      If our Country has to be developed, do you think minds like yours would be needed, why such thinking. A leader of the Country making available grant money to young entrepreneurs, you sit behind your computer and write such a comment, wow. If we do not have the things you say, then please tell us how we can get them. Do you think sitting there and doing nothing, wallowing and engaging in silly partisan politics with minds like yours can get us to the Country we envision, be content with your belief.

      Hot debate. What do you think? Thumb up 1 Thumb down 32
  5. Money god
    January 31, 2022

    Man I can’t stand a bone in the nonsense of Money god. Right now the man has so badly decided and destroyed Dominica that he had the audacity to say Government is going to build some 84 apartments and a church in Grandbay. Can you imagine money god finds that it’s ok to take his dirty money, his Diab money and build a church and Dominicans will applaud that? That’s how bad the church and Dominica have fallen. But again we have a very weak opposition that is only satisfied to hide behind Q95, instead of going to the various communities to get Dominicans angry with the corruption of Money god. Yes I know is covid time but covid doesn’t prevent the opposition from jumping on a pickup truck with a PA system to get people angry with money god. Rosie use to do just that in the 70’s and 80’s. But all Linton wants to do is hide behind q95, though he knows Q95 doesn’t have a wide listenership locally. But you have IBO calling on DNO to organize a debate. Man call on UWP to hit road

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 15 Thumb down 2
    • Money god
      January 31, 2022

      I know all some will say that because of covid laws the opposition can’t hit the road. But there are many ways to skin a damn goat. Any one can sit in their car with a PA system and address the issues. Furthermore, when Money god and his wife opened the Christmas village in Roseau, it was a sign that UWP could keep public meetings without even announcing it. But we have an opposition that’s lazy and that’s our biggest problem. Apart from Spags and Lugay that are busy keeping a presence in their constituencies the others are strangers and foreigners. They don’t mingle with the people and all they want to do is jump on Q95 computing with one another for air time. What hell debate you want DNO to organize there and nobody knows when is election. Man call on Linton and members of the opposition to find a way to debate the issues in their constituencies. Call on them to organize a cricket , football, dominoes, rounders league just to build a presence. What hell debate with money god?

      Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 16 Thumb down 1
      • Gary
        February 1, 2022

        If you are so angry with the UWP, and you have a strategy of to organize cricket , football, dominoes, rounders league just to build their presence in the constituencies, then why didn’t you attend their last general meeting to seek some form of nomination in the Party and present your idea. You have just shown the use of being innovative in solving a problem, but you’re not in a position to do so.

        Now, isn’t the PM like you showing innovation and vision with what he is doing by encouraging young people to be Entrepreneurs, assisting them with grant money to start a business and be self-employed, the difference between you and him, he got him self into the position where he can carry out his vision, he is not on the sidelines just talking but interested in the affairs of people with his vision, why should you be angry, do you think, you comment has any effect on what he is proposing, so long.

        Hot debate. What do you think? Thumb up 1 Thumb down 21
    • Under the radar
      February 1, 2022

      UWP is a political party. this mess here is the nation’s concern. All Patriots should open their eyes and hit the road. Political parties are pretty much a group of gangsters masquerading as Patriots.

      Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 2
      • Ibo France
        February 1, 2022

        I have made this point exhaustively. Yes, the UWP should do much more. I truly believe that as the main opposition force, they are much too laid back.

        But, the UWP cannot to it alone. Only with a mass movement (massive groundswell) of the grassroots population would dislodge this entrenched dictatorship from power. The collective will of the people is crucial to rid Dominica of this scandal- plagued government.

        Don’t let us give DNO and other regular local media entities, the private sector, the clergy a free pass. The media, as a social force, is potentially very influential, should be harshly castigated for their reticence and collusion with the governing monarchy-dictatorship.

        Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 1
        • Gary
          February 3, 2022

          Why are you fantasizing such nonsense, saying “The UWP cannot do it alone. Only with a mass movement (massive groundswell) of the grassroots population would dislodge this entrenched dictatorship from power.” keep looking for that MASS MOVEMENT. Do really believe that the UWP is much too laid-back, wow, or is it their leadership and strategy of mischief, chaos and deception.

          Why your silly attacks on DNO and other regular local media entities, and the private sector, are these people really to be blamed for the actions of an inept political Party.

          Hot debate. What do you think? Thumb up 0 Thumb down 15
    • Ibo France
      February 1, 2022

      @Money god

      I’m mostly in concert with your criticisms leveled against the current maladministration and some of those against the UWP.

      I think the UWP could launch a much more concerted and vociferous campaign against the illegalities and disastrous performance of the ruling plutocracy.

      Having said that, we rely on opposition parties too much to do the heavy lifting. The people themselves need to stop sitting down on their hands and feet and become outraged with the demise of their country. All I see coming from those who have been denuded by Skerrit and his goons is indiffernce, submission, resignation, inertia.

      The masses of citizens and residents live in appalling, impoverished conditions. If this doesn’t motivate them to rise up in unison, against this oppressive regime in protest, what else will? The onus must be on the inhabitants to act now.

      Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 1
    • Gary
      February 1, 2022

      So the PM is a money God you cannot stand, lol. Do you know where you find money Gods at Central Banks. Your comment is so full of imaginary nonsense, as your “Diab money ” money is a medium of exchange, when you do not give money is shows you have the nature of “Diab.” As to the Opposition, which you think is our savior, and they should go on the road, lol. When they go on the road, tell me what they are going to say that the people of Dominica haven’t heard before, money laundering, selling passport, where the 2 billion dollars went, election reform, in addition to the opening narrative of your comment.

      When you hear the above statements from the PM, that is far more
      inspiring than asking for the Opposition to go on the road with a PA system on a truck to get people angry with money god. You know, when people affairs are looked after they do rebel and get angry with imaginary nonsense presented to them, the results of the last election demonstrated that.

      Hot debate. What do you think? Thumb up 0 Thumb down 19
  6. Rosey
    January 31, 2022

    You all take out the hard working Remie Timothy to put all you puppet so all you now have to work hard to make him look like he working hard.

    Shame shame shame.

  7. Mark
    January 31, 2022

    Are you serious Ibo? Why would the PM agree to such a debate in the midst of his current term? And even if that were to occur and let’s say for argument purposes Mr. Linton was declared the winner then what? Should Mr Skerrit resign? Common man, do you think Mr. Skerrit is that stupid? REALLY…
    Ibo, this is what elections are all about, to decide the party that is best suited to govern for the next 4/5 years. Mr. Linton should be presenting his case for change right now, not debating, if he wants to be the country’s next leader.
    A debate at this moment serves no purpose than talking points for “talking heads” like yourself, more material for the “spin doctors” who are already aligned to one party or the other.
    I can understand the call for a debate/debates at election time but not at this time. Mr. Linton should show some leadership in the interim and let the electorate decide when the time comes who is most suitable to govern.
    A debate at this time is meaningless.

    Hot debate. What do you think? Thumb up 2 Thumb down 21
  8. Ibo France
    January 31, 2022

    How many more times are we going to read or listen to this phony speaks about the creation of jobs especially for young people?. He has made these false assertions going on twenty years.

    These announcements are just fictitions to give hope to the gullible. What the current regime needs to do is to devise a strategic economic plan in consultation with the Opposition, the business sector and other groups of stake holders.

    Exclusion never works well for a country. Inclusion is key for the overall development of a nation.

    DNO, you used your influence to get an interview with the highest UK diplomat in the Eastern Caribbean. Why can’t you and others ( church, business sector, other NGOs) agitate for a debate between Skerrit and Mr. Linton on economic development and other issues of national importance.

    This would give all nationals, at home and abroad, the leader who is better capable of leading Dominica out of this severe economic malaise.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 19 Thumb down 3
    • pinches
      January 31, 2022

      thank you. I saw this bogos announcement and was about to comment. you beat me to it. lies and more lies for the benefit of Dominicans overseas. The AID BANK loan two years ago was nonsense. Only some people got it. There was a grant spoken about last year. I applied still waiting. Stupes. All this man does is come up with lies for the benefit of people living overseas. Unless people do not protest all Skerrit does is make up stories.

      Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 1
    • Gary
      February 1, 2022

      Why your endless stream of nonsense, about this, quote “the current regime needs to do is to devise a strategic economic plan in consultation with the Opposition, the business sector and other groups of stakeholders” really is this the reality you see or understand with Governments in a Parliamentary system of Government. The Government presents an annual budget to Parliament, and it is debated by members of the house, that is where Linton is given his opportunity to debate, do you remember this gesture offered by the Government https://dominicanewsonline.com/news/homepage/news/general/linton-hopes-govt-consultation-is-new-beginning-for-opposition/

      Let me ask you a question, don’t you think that The News Editor of Q95 FM was capable of doing what DNO did, getting an interview with the UK diplomat to the Eastern Caribbean, of course, then why, it would not fit in their narrative and also that of their listeners. Your proposal debate is nonsensical.

      Hot debate. What do you think? Thumb up 1 Thumb down 17
      • Ibo France
        February 1, 2022

        Your response is fatuous, in fact, it’s completely devoid of substance. You impress me as someone who’s craving for attention. Probably, you were deprived of such during infancy.

        You’re just an empty vessel who has nothing to say but has to say something. You sound very intelligent when you keep your mouth tightly shut.

        Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 1
        • February 2, 2022

          What exactly do you want to have with Skerrit? Everything the man does or say, here you are barking like pit bull. I think you would be better off exiling yourself for good. Nobody thinks of you nor listen to you. You are irrelevant with all this nonsense you keep scrambling on DNO. If you are looking for a war, just do it and stop running your jaws on DNO. Are you trying ignite a fire and you do not have enough gasoline in your tank? What are you trying to instigate? Are you a Republican war-monger? Lennox Linton will never be the Prime Minister of Dominica, not on this earth, not on the next one. Contrary to all this garbage you keep spewing on DNO, for your information, Lennox is quite happy with the status quo. He is impressed with all what Skerrit is doing for Dominica and its people. You are just another frustrated, miserable, sad old man.

          Hot debate. What do you think? Thumb up 0 Thumb down 12
    • Gary
      February 1, 2022

      @pinches- Why the rush to beat Ibo France and compete with him when you both are spewing the same thing. If you think that the proposal from The PM to the young Entrepreneurs of Dominica offering them grant funding benefits Dominicans overseas,can you at least provide evidence to support your statement. Do you know that Dominicans overseas have available to them more facilities and opportunities compared to what is given by The PM.

      As to your statement, quote, “The AID BANK loan two years ago was nonsense. Only some people got it.” don’t you see how silly you sound, is this why you think this is a lie and The PM is lying., Is it nonsense having such facility at the AID Bank for Entrepreneurs, wow, and if some people were approved and got the money needed to start a business isn’t that great, as to your application still pending after two years, didn’t you inquire. Do you think the proposal made above by the PM is something that should trigger people to protest.

      Hot debate. What do you think? Thumb up 0 Thumb down 9

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