KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent and the Grenadines – The Centre for Enterprise Development Inc. (CED) held a Men’s Empowerment Business Symposium on Thursday, 19 June, 2025, under the Technical Assistance for Men’s Employment and Entrepreneurship Development (TAMEED) Project.
The Symposium, hosted at the Kingstown Baptist Church, featured addresses by prominent figures including the Honourable Camillo Gonsalves, Minister of Finance, Economic Development, and Information Technology; the Honourable Orando Brewster, Minister of Housing, Youth, and Sports; and Mrs. Ronette Lewis, General Manager of the CED. The event’s feature address was delivered by Dr. Julian Ferdinand, a distinguished lecturer, author, and business consultant, who spoke on the Symposium’s theme, “Power in Connection: Collaborating & Networking for Men’s Business Growth”.
In her welcoming remarks, CED General Manager, Mrs. Ronette Lewis expressed her hope that the symposium would be the first of many dedicated to fostering growth, resilience, and leadership among entrepreneurs. She emphasized that while the TAMEED Project, which is funded by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, aims to equip male entrepreneurs with the skills necessary for sustainable growth and development in their enterprises, it is focused on three key components: personal and professional development, mentorship, and financial grants.
“Let us remember that true empowerment comes from a collective and shared vision for a prosperous future for St. Vincent and the Grenadines,” she concluded.
The Honourable Camillo Gonsalves, Minister of Finance, Economic Development, and Information Technology, emphasized the importance of prioritizing business development and fostering entrepreneurship, particularly among the youth. Gonsalves underscored that while an idea is a starting point, that alone does not constitute a business, and commended the role of the CED in transforming innovative ideas into viable enterprises.
Gonsalves also highlighted the need to cultivate resilience among young entrepreneurs, stating, “We wanted to create that sense in young people, especially that if your business fails, you are not a failure, that you should take lessons out of that and move to your next business.”
He also highlighted the gender dynamics at play, noting that while women are excelling academically and increasingly entering the job market, young men often show disinterest in entrepreneurship due to a lack of positive male role models. He expressed hope that participants in the TAMEED Project will step into this gap, serving as mentors and inspiring other young men to pursue entrepreneurial paths. This, he said he believes, is essential for fostering a more balanced and inclusive economic landscape.
In his address, the Honourable Orando Brewster, Minister of Housing, Youth, and Sports, urged aspiring entrepreneurs in St. Vincent and the Grenadines to identify and capitalize on niche opportunities within the tourism industry to establish successful businesses. He emphasized the importance of adopting strategic and innovative marketing approaches to carve out a distinct niche for their products.
“Sometimes you go across St. Vincent and you see that there are little trinkets but they’re all branded ‘St. Vincent’, but you need to put that personal touch based on your location; the area that you’re from, be strategic, be innovative as to how you can market your product and create a niche for yourself,” the former Gender Affairs Minister advised.
Additionally, Brewster highlighted the critical role of sound financial management in ensuring the long-term sustainability of their ventures.
The Featured speaker, Dr. Julian Ferdinand, emphasized the importance of collaboration over competition for sustainable business success. He highlighted that success is no longer solely based on individual abilities, but on effective networking and teamwork. He illustrated how collaboration can lead to better outcomes.
In his address, Dr. Ferdinand outlined 10 key principles for successful collaboration, stressing that in order to build a successful and sustainable partnerships, it is essential to align shared goals and values, complement each other’s strengths, prioritize clear and transparent communication to foster trust and commitment; ensure reliability, create mutual benefits, ensure partners have a good reputation with the right attitude, practice respectful and authentic networking etiquette, focus on long-term potential for a bright future, establish a clear conflict resolution plan, and address legal and ethical considerations with clear documentation and risk assessment.
“Look at things that would build you up,” he urged the TAMEED participants. “If you sow a thought, you reap an action; if you sow an action, you reap a habit; if you sow a habit, you reap a character; and if you sow a character, you reap a destiny. Your destiny and my destiny are largely influenced by the thoughts we entertain.”
The Men’s Empowerment Business Symposium also featured a thought-provoking panel discussion on the topic, “Strategic Investment for Innovation and Sustainable Business Growth”, followed by a business fair featuring participation from a diverse range of private and public sector agencies, including banks, credit unions, the SVG Bureau of Standards, the National Insurance Services, Invest SVG, and other key organizations.
The six-member panel comprised Stewart Haynes, Executive Director of the National Insurance Services (NIS); Mr. Anthony Regisford, Executive Director of the SVG Chamber of Industry and Commerce; Mr. Paul Morris, Managing Director of MAVCOM; Mr. Alexis John, Managing Director of Fanfare SVG; Miss Glendris Holder, owner of Leb’Elle Foot and Nail Clinic; and youth entrepreneur Mr. Dominic Frederick, owner of Seafood Sensation and Superior Farms SVG.
CONCESSIONS FOR TAMEED PARTICIPANTS
Meanwhile, the entrepreneurs in the TAMEED Project can look forward to being granted concessions on their imports, once they have graduated from the program
This announcement was made by the Honourable Minister of Finance, Camillo Gonsalves, as he addressed the Men’s Empowerment Business Symposium.
“We want to assure you that once you’ve successfully completed the CED program, you can write to us, specifying the tools or equipment upon confirming your graduation and that you intend to import. Upon receiving your request, the responsibility for facilitating that import will rest with us,” the Finance Minister assured.
The six-month TAMEED project will end in July.
