02nd March 2010
Public and Private Partnership
Will our businesses invest in the business of building new businesses?

I can’t remember when last I was invited to a government affair. But, on Sunday, I attended the closing ceremony of a Business Innovation Competition sponsored by the Ministry of Social Transformation (MOST). I was part of a delegation the kind ladies in the Community Development section of the ministry had invited to observe and participate. It was the closing ceremony of a competition that began in 2008 to identify and train new young persons on how to turn their business ideas into reality. Nine persons were listed for honours, out of which three won valuable prizes that can go some way in bringing their ideas closer to reality – one computer and thousands of dollars in cash for each.
I was interested in the path that led to that ceremony because of my involvement in a similar program also aimed at discovering young entrepreneurs. I wanted to find out what was common -- and what was different -- between the two programs. I also wanted to learn a bit about the winners and their projects -- and to find out exactly how they would benefit from their prizes.
The presenters all offered their perspectives on the usefulness and effectiveness of this particular project. Program Coordinator Lyndel Archibald traced the long road to the ceremony and the determination of those participants who stuck with the program. Facilitator Martin Weekes noted that all nine entrants were winners – and not only the top three. Feature Speaker Cuthbert Didier stressed the match between innovation and entrepreneurship, lamented the insufficiency of access by new entrepreneurs to bank capital, encouraged participants to “think big, start small, but respect your customers” -- and warned they should “always be ready to manage change.” Deputy Director of Community Services Velda Joseph said the project will continue. And Minister of Social Transformation Lennard “Spider” Montoute invited organizations behind similar programs to send ideas to him ahead of the upcoming Budget.
Several speakers noted the project had been successful as a result of the “social partnership” between the Ministry and the Private Sector entities that provided the cash and computer prizes. Indeed, the main donors included LIME, Bank of St. Lucia (ECFH) and Asphalt & Mining (A&M) Holdings. The Ministry contributed. And the minister clarified that his contribution was “personal”. And Didier promised that he will also seek help from IGY, the new owners of Rodney Bay Marina.
The lady behind it all, Gros Islet CDO Urania Joseph, didn’t speak, but she indicated that while the winners would take their laptops and desktops home, their cash prizes would be deposited in a special account for use in their proposed business endeavors.
Indeed, some very nice things were said last Sunday.
Mr Didier’s theme was borrowed from Bob Marley’s famous song: “It takes a revolution to make a solution.” He said the ceremony was the best good news he’d heard in the past week when crime and violence stole the headlines. And he warned that “If we don’t pay attention to and support initiatives like this, we could end up like Jamaica.” The Minister indicated the challenge today “is to change the mindset of young persons from expecting jobs to be created for them to going out to create their own jobs” – something Mr Gajadhar has been stressing at his Motivational Lectures at secondary Schools promoting his company’s Generation Next (Gen X) program, one of which is due today at Anse Ger Secondary in Micoud.
The minister also revealed that Cabinet has approved a Youth Summit (to be held soon) at which young persons will be invited to lecture the Government on policies they want to see implemented for youth and national development. He noted that with 40% of the government’s revenues going towards payment of salaries, tourism under strain, construction in the doldrums and investment low, resources for youth programs were also tight.