Luke Browne launches book on entrepreneurs of SVG

People who enjoyed the Entrepreneurs of St Vincent and the Grenadines series published earlier this year by Luke Browne in SEARCHLIGHT, can expect a follow up edition in the future.

The author, senator, Rhodes Scholar and budding politician, at the launch of the book {{more}}featuring a list of breakthrough businessmen and women,disclosed that a second publication is in the making.

During Tuesday’s launch, which was held at Frenches House, Browne said that the second volume would feature more entrepreneurs whom he and other speakers at the function depicted as nation builders.

Speaking about the new book, Browne said that he felt it was important to produce the publication for several reasons.

“Chief among them is the fact that entrepreneurs in this country have made an immense contribution towards our economic development… and very often they go unheralded and there is very little recognition to the important role that they play by the creation of jobs, and the stimulation of economic growth….”

The research for the current publication was described as a “rich and very rewarding” exercise, and Browne indicated that the issue may possibly be used as text by the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC).

Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves, who was a guest speaker at the night’s proceedings, said he was looking forward to a follow up of the first edition of the series, listing some names who he believed could be featured in the next edition.

“If I were to put in this list I would put… Cyril Prescott, David McIntosh from Bequia, ‘Lambi’ in Union Island, John Dougan… Randolph Russell, Vidal Browne… and then we have a number of younger entrepreneurs….

“This is not an exhausted list and Luke hasn’t intended it to be; this is the first 20….” The Prime Minister pointed out.

Gonsalves congratulated Browne for compiling the book, and during his presentation, shared anecdotes of his interaction with some of the people featured, most of them he said he had known personally.

The event’s proceedings also featured a book preview and slide show by executive director of Invest SVG and director of the Light Hill Foundation Bernadette Ambrose; a video presentation on Erica McIntosh, one of the featured entrepreneurs, and presentations by Harold Dougan, managing director of National Properties and Anthony Regisford, executive director of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Chamber of Industry and Commerce.

Following the official toast and ribbon cutting ceremony, presentations of the book were made to Gonsalves and to those who were featured in the book and were present at the ceremony, namely Erica McIntosh, A Nathaniel Jack and Gurney Gibson.

The other entrpreneurs featured in the book are Basil Balcombe, King Mitchell, Edgerton Richards, C D Veira, O C Forde, Milton Mayers, Sylvester DeFreitas, O T Mayers, P H Veira, Bertille Dasilva, Mcneil Trotman, Gideon Browne, C K Greaves, Fred J Dare, O A Ken Boyea, Kelly Glass and Clara Layne.(JJ)