La Plaine business help 'shows Dominica intervention works'

The lives of more than 90 small business owners in the La Plaine constituency are expected to be significantly improved following the conclusion of a three-day business training workshop.

The event, hosted by the Ministry of Commerce, Enterprise and Small Business Development yesterday, will be repeated across with training for mirco, small and media enterprises.

The intention is to increase the business competency of budding entrepreneurs and business owners seeking to grow.

Petter Saint-Jean, parliamentary representative for the La Plaine constituency, also commended participants, stating that the success of the program shines a positive light on the community despite those who challenge the justification of government’s small business intervention.

“You’ve heard many people over time say do not give me a fish, but give me a line and a hook and teach me how to fish," she said.

"Well I say to the critics who have challenged the justification of the small business intervention that this, in a very practical, real and tangible way, is giving the people of Dominica and my beloved constituents by extension a line [and] a hook and saying to them ‘despite the roughness of the Atlantic Ocean, I dare you to go out there catch a fish, feed your family, feed the neighbour, sell the excess and make a profit'."

He revealed that over $470,000 for small business development was distributed among 94 individuals in Delices, Boetica and La Plaine.

Minister for Commerce, Enterprise and Small Business Development Roselyn Paul stressed the importance of small businesses to the nation’s economy.

She said: “If you combine the money that you receive, the grant that you receive, with the knowledge and skills to ensure that you have a good business, this is going to be adequate for at least the first step. I would expect that we do it step by step.”

Paul also revealed that the Ministry of Commerce, Enterprise and Small Business Development will be launching small business development centres across the island which will focus on mentorship, business consulting and business advisory, so business owners can go to for support.

“We are not going to leave you on your own. The whole idea is to drive and transform the economy with the resources, time and effort that we invest.

"When we do so we transform lives, increase income and provide a means for those who were previously unable to reach the export market to do so.”