St Kitts and Nevis starts initiative to boost small & medium business: Tourism Minister

St Kitts and Nevis: The Ministry of Tourism has started a new initiative to provide a boost to micro, small and medium-sized businesses.

The ministry has invited the various stakeholders, possessing a small or medium business, to register for a free virtual training programme. The programme would focus on providing the ‘free virtual training business adaptation,’ which would assist the holders in establishing their business more competitive and sustainable during the recovery phase of the COVID-19.

This virtual training programme will b hosted by the United Nations Development Program. According to the government of St Kitts and Nevis, “The virtual training sessions will aim to develop and further enhance the business skills sets of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) by introducing them to courses in digital technologies, financial planning and marketing.”

The government, while providing details of the session, further stated that the virtual event would be facilitated by the University of the West Indies and the Frankfurt School of Finance and Management.

It further said that the program would not provide any kind of technical assistance, mentoring or disbursement of grants.

The government of St Kitts and Nevis has been aiming to provide growth to the small and niche businesses and would also encourage the owners in creating new jobs for local residents. “In turn, this will have a domino effect on local suppliers and demand, leading to an increased need for what they grow and sell for guests and customers,” according to the statement by the SKN government.

The government has announced the deadline to submit the receipt of applications on Sunday, February 27, 2022. The government has also asked the owners of MSMEs to apply to the Business Adaptation Programme via THIS LINK.

The form provided by the UNDP read, “The UNDP Future Tourism project will be facilitating a second cohort of the Virtual Open Training component of the UNDP Business Adaptation Programme for MSMEs. This 12-week training comprises three (3) modules on Digital Technologies, Finances and Marketing. Participants will be expected to complete a two-hour workshop twice a week.”

“The applications will be reviewed & successful candidates will be acknowledged on March 3rd, 2022, and the training will commence in early March.”