Antigua and Barbuda joins the rest of the international community in observing
Global Entrepreneurship Week from November 13-19 with a host of events,
targeting the youth of the nation.
Executive Director of the Gilbert Agricultural and Rural Development (GARD)
Centre, June Jackson, who is coordinating the week’s activities, in collaboration
with the Ministry of Trade, said the activities this year are focusing on young
people, encouraging them to get involved in business at an early age. The central
theme for the week’s events is: ‘Entrepreneurs strive here; no one is left behind.’
So far, Jackson and a team that includes businesspeople, have visited several
schools to ‘preach the message’ of the value of entrepreneurship to the students.
On Wednesday, the team spoke with students of the Sir McChesney George
Secondary School during a visit to Barbuda.
They also spoke with members of the fisherfolk association on the ‘sister isle’.
The activities for Thursday, include a training workshop for entrepreneurs to be
held at the conference centre of the Department of Environment, at the Botanical
Gardens.
The facilitators of the workshop are Dr. Victoria Burse and Pastor Forest Burse,
and it will be held under the theme ‘Entrepreneurs arise and make a difference.’
On Friday, the team returns to speaking with students in the nation’s schools with
visits to the Old Road Primary and the All Saints Secondary School. Saturday’s
event is a Pop-Up market, taking place at Judgment Square in the middle of St.
John.
It will feature local vendors who will have for display and sale, jewelry, handicraft
items, food, and other locally produced items.
In a message to mark the week’s activities, Trade Minister E.P Chet Greene said
much recognition is given for the great contribution and sacrifices local
entrepreneurs have and continue to make. “We at the Ministry of Trade
congratulate all our local entrepreneurs and we thank them for economic diversity,
we thank them for empowering our communities, societies, and our future
entrepreneurs.
“We want to thank the GARD Centre, the local host here in Antigua and Barbuda
of Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW), for partnering with the Ministry of
Trade, in building an eco-system where our entrepreneurs can have access to
resources, information, and the necessary business development framework. It is
our pledge to continue to be the conduit for assistance, development, and overall
gateway in ensuring that our entrepreneurs can prosper,” he added.
