Participants graduate from ECCB Entrepreneurship Course

Delivering the feature address at the graduation ceremony for the participants in an Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) organised Entrepreneurship Course, Glenford Stewart, the managing director of Stewart Engineering Ltd, encouraged the graduates to use innovative approaches to attract funding for the start-up or expansion of their businesses.{{more}}

An engineer by profession, Stewart indicated that being an entrepreneur has its challenges, but also rewards, including that of financial independence. Stewart’s optimism regarding entrepreneurship mirrored the position expressed in an earlier address at the ceremony by Errol Allen, chairman, Eastern Caribbean Institute of Banking (ECIB).

Allen made reference to studies which indicate that the international business climate favours entrepreneurs, especially those with small businesses. He believes that the growth of the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector is playing a significant role in the recent successes of small businesses.

Thirty-eight persons in St Vincent and the Grenadines graduated from the 20-week Entrepreneurship Course on Saturday, 30 November 2013.

The course, Part II of the Savings and Investment course, designed by the ECCB, has been developed as a guide for persons interested in understanding the fundamentals of operating a successful small business. “One of the objectives is to inspire more persons to consider entrepreneurship as a possible goal and promote best business practices among small business owners,” observed Elritha Dick, ECCB resident representative, St Vincent and the Grenadines.

To date almost 400 Vincentians have participated in Part I and Part II of the ECCB organised Savings and Investment courses, which have attracted over 3,000 participants in the ECCU countries.