SVG to host fifth annual Caribbean Youth Entrepreneurship Conference

The fifth annual Caribbean Youth Entrepreneurship Conference will take place here in St Vincent and the Grenadines next month.{{more}}

The conference, which takes place at the Kingstown Methodist Church Hall, from September 12 to September 15, is being hosted by Youth Business St Vincent and the Grenadines (YBSVG), in collaboration with the Caribbean Centre of Excellence for Youth Entrepreneurship.

A release from YBSVG said the conference will explore a variety of issues, including the extent to which agriculture and entrepreneurship can stimulate sustainable economic development.

Entrepreneurs, aspiring young entrepreneurs, representatives from other youth business trusts from around the Caribbean will explore the theme “Youth Entrepreneurship: The catalyst for a Sustainable Caribbean Economic take-off”.

The conference provides an opportunity for young entrepreneurs to learn from the experiences of the regional delegates, take advantage of networking opportunities and be educated by the high level of expertise that will be displayed at the conference.

“We recognize the value of strong regional partnerships in the marketing and promotion of the Youth Caribbean Youth Business Community,” Kenrick Quashie, Managing Director of YBSVG said. The conference will also give local delegates an opportunity to examine how entrepreneurship can create sustainable economic development and a lifetime source of income.

Youth Business Advisor at YBSVG Debson Cruickshank also added that the upcoming Caribbean Youth Entrepreneurship Conference, the fifth hosted in the region, will again have a strong focus on utilizing local resources and developing a new group of entrepreneurs, as they seek to expand the business community especially in rural areas. According to Cruickshank, “the sustainability of business in the region is reliant on actively engaging the Caribbean youth.” Therefore, young entrepreneurs should seize these opportunities to be key contributors to local sustainable economic development.

Young people aged 18 to 35 are invited to apply for registration at the office of YBSVG, temporarily located in the New Haven Funeral Home Building, Kingstown Office.

General registration forms are also available at: http://www.youthbusiness.org.vc/docs/CYECRForm.pdf. General participant registration is on a first come, first served basis. However, as many youths as possible are encouraged to be part of the event.

YBSVG is a not-for-profit company that was established to address the level of poverty, unemployment and underemployment among disadvantaged young people between the ages 18-35 in St Vincent and the Grenadines. YBSVG aims to assist young entrepreneurs who have viable business ideas or exhibit the propensity for a particular discipline or skill, but lack the means to convert the same into profitable ventures.

This assistance will take the form of business capital for start-up, expansion and or diversification, business skills, attitude and aptitude, and business mentoring, whilst they are in the process of establishing a new business.