Global Entrepreneur Week (GEW), the world’s largest celebration of innovators and job creators, is being observed in Dominica and over 170 countries across the world between November 18th and November 22nd 2019.
It’s an initiative of the Kauffman Foundation and Enterprise UK and is promoted by the Youth Business International Network of which the Dominica Youth Business Trust (DYBT) is a member.
Coordinator of DYBT, Kerry-Ann Remie Timothy said that during GEW a second trade show will be hosted in Dominica.
“During one week in November annually GEW inspires people everywhere to local, national and global activities designed to explore their potential as aspiring entrepreneurs,” she said. “The second trade show under the theme ‘locally crafted’ which is an exhibition event presents the opportunity for DYBT entrepreneurs to display their goods and services, distribute samples and connect with possible clients, mentors and business support. “
The show will be held on Friday the 22nd of November, 2019 at Borrows Square in Portsmouth from 10 am-5 pm.
Remie also mentioned the Business Plan Innovation Award (BPIA) which is an initiative of the Commonwealth Youth Program which was introduced to the DYBT in 2005-2009 with the objective of encouraging competitiveness among young entrepreneurs in the development of business ideas.
It has awarded grants of over $EC60, 000 to thirty-six entrepreneurs of DYBT and $EC30,000 to eighteen entrepreneurs through the Agricultural Industrial Development Bank (AIDB) of Dominica between 2010-2015.
She said BPIA will award to the top successful entrants the sum of $EC7,500 to go towards their business undertaking and merit awards of $EC2,500 will be given to five other promising entrants.
The winners are chosen based on the criteria which include the level of creativity, quality of their business plans, preparation and the potential impact of the business.
The International Organisation for Migration presented a cheque of over $EC23,000 to DYBT in support of their business plan innovation award grants to young entrepreneurs who have gone through their training programs.
With the support of the IOM development funding and the contributions of other sponsors such as Campbells Business Machines and the Rotary Club of Dominica, through the Carol G. Phillip Memorial Award For Innovation in Business, ten grants will also be presented through the 2019 cycle of training.
Dominica has been a member state of IOM since 2017 alongside 480 country offices and sub-offices worldwide.
Meantime, Remie stated that the DYBT will be hosting its 15th graduation ceremony on Wednesday, November 20th from 3 pm at the St. Alphonsus Parish Hall.
“Twenty-Two potential entrepreneurs will receive certification for completing the entrepreneurial development program, thirty-seven existing entrepreneur who attended and completed three days small business assistant facility training and thirty-six young persons from the community of Grand Bay will also receive certification for attending the first community outreach entrepreneurial development training,” she said.
The theme for this year’s GEW is “building resilience, local is the new focal” which is a call for Dominicans to center their attention on local entrepreneurs and enterprises.
This DYBT Coordinator since coming in in 2014 has been changing the face of DYBT. Great job Remie Timothy. Hard working Youth Development Officer. Hats off to you and your team.
Throwing more bones to the public?
Hardly any economic activity is happening in Dominica. Prospective small local entrepreneurs don’t have money to invest and the average Dominican doesn’t have cash to spend. The country is one big, economic morgue. So many once burgeoning businesses have folded and hardly any new ones have emerged. Dominica needs an economic, political and social revolution. The country needs an urgent change of government to put it on a sound economic footing. The current oppressors in high office, Skerrit, et al need to go.
Great initiative DYBT. i look forward to seeing the products and services on display and offer my support anf
d best wishes to all involved