Thirty-eight female entrepreneurs now have an opportunity to improve and enhance their businesses through the Women’s Empowerment Project (WEP) financed by the Government and People of the Republic of China on Taiwan (ROC).
This initiative involves a series of training and business development seminars through the Centre for Enterprise Development (CED) with funding to the tune of $280,000 EC dollars.
Speaking at the grant ceremony held earlier today, The Republic of China on Taiwan’s Ambassador to St. Vincent and the Grenadines, His Excellency Peter Sha-Li Lan commended the female entrepreneurs on their hard work and dedication and pledged Taiwan’s continued support for projects which seek to foster opportunities for the people of St Vincent and the Grenadines.
Also addressing the recipients was the Minister of Finance, Hon. Camillo Gonsalves, Minister Gonsalves said it was important to build a culture of entrepreneurship among Vincentians and added that a significant percentage of small businesses are led by women, therefore a project of this nature would have a meaningful impact.
The Finance Minister urged the entrepreneurs to remain motivated and pledged that provisions will be made to WEP grant awardees in Cabinet if requests are made regarding concessions at customs for their items.
General Manager of CED Felix Lewis said a project of this nature is welcomed given the challenges of the past two years with Covidl9 and the eruption of La Soufriere which has had a devastating impact on small businesses.
From March to July, the second cohort of the WEP was conducted. This cohort’s final activity will be the Business Plan Competition, in which ten (10) finalists will pitch their business plans to a panel of judges on Friday, 23 September 2022.
From September to December, another batch of female entrepreneurs will participate in the third and final cohort.
Three of the finalists will win $26,000 each. The finalists are:
Samantha Robinson – Samantha Paperwork Designs
Yvonne Caine-Cummins – Old Fashioned Products
Ranique John – My Crown of Curls
Cherry-Ann Dennie – Miss Ann Agro Products
Krystal Wilson – Wilson Farms
Claudine Simmons – Emmanie’s
Marion Isaacs – We Are Mayreau Inc.
Avanell DaSilva – Ambrosia Foods
Shamique Gopalakrishnan – Vel Vincy Virgin Coconut Oil
Shannique DaSouza – CB Construction
