‘Think beyond your borders’ – Ag Premier says
That was according to Acting Premier Dr. the Honourable Kedrick D. Pickering who was at the time making brief remarks at the launch of EU Funded Regional SME Project held at Maria’s By the Sea earlier today June 2, 2014 as the European Union provides some $15ml euros for small & medium size enterprise project for British, Dutch & French OCTs.
As he continued to challenge the participants of the one day activity he urged that they continue to think beyond their borders. “This is possible, it is possible if we all working together believe that it is imperative. We cannot just think small… we’ve got to think beyond our borders,” said Hon Pickering as he added that once done in the right way, they can show the other Caribbean countries how to get things done.
“We are about to welcome the official start of the European Union funded Regional Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) project. For those of you who know the full history of this project, you will understand and appreciate the long road we have had to travel to get to this point,” he told the delegates.
Hon Pickering noted that as a Government they recognize that there are many people who have a keen interest in starting their own business, and so the appropriate avenue must be provided for them to achieve their desires.
The overall objective of initiative is to strengthen the development of SMEs in the British and Dutch Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) and to reduce social, economic and environmental vulnerabilities through enhanced cooperation and competitiveness within the region.
The purpose of strengthening the capacity of SME Intermediaries in the British and Dutch OCTs is important if they are to manage and effectively implement strategies.
“Additionally, if we are to implement mechanisms to develop linkages within the OCT sub-region and increase participation and integration in the wider Caribbean, we must put effective strategies in place,” stated the acting Premier.
He said that it is their vision that through this programme, all Caribbean OCTs will become more competitive, not only on a regional level, but globally. This of course is possible through integration of the OCTs with the rest of the Caribbean.
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