On February 27th the Organisation of American States (OAS) launched a programme to establish small Business Development Centres in Barbados, Belize, Dominica, St. Lucia & Jamaica to improve the competitiveness of small and medium-sized businesses operating in these countries.
OAS General Secretary, Jose Miguel Insulza said “it is now the time to diversify our economy and believing in ourselves and developing the internal market of the Caribbean.”
He noted that small and medium-sized businesses in the region were responsible for 70% of employment.
This initiative cannot come too soon as tourism, although an important industry in the region is very fragile.
Small and medium-sized businesses will have access to advice,training and mentoring on ways to improve their competitiveness.
The programme has already been successfully implemented in Mexico, El Salvador, Colombia, Dominican Public, Honduras, Costa Rica and Panama, and in the United States.
Whilst we note the programme is mainly aimed at empowering women we hope our male brethren will be included.
