The Market Access and Rural Enterprise Development Programme (MAREP) will host the second Business Planning and Development workshop commencing on August 27, 2012 for a duration of 5 days in preparation for implementation of the Rural Investment Fund (RIF) and the Line of Credit (LOC). The workshop is held for Community Based Organizations (CBOs), youth groups, sports groups, men and women’s groups, producer groups, business groups, Cooperatives and Associations within MAREP’s target communities in St. Andrew, St. David and St. George. The training will be held at Bain’s Hall in Grenville from 4:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m daily. MAREP is inviting 3 members of each group/organization from the targeted communities to participate in the workshop. The RIF is a non reimbursable fund implemented through three windows: Social Window - to finance investment in public infrastructure for production, processing and marketing Enterprise Window - to finance business planning, production, processing and marketing leading to the consolidation of sustainable and competitive businesses Productive Window - to providing financing for small scale sustainable revenue generating initiatives The LOC is a reimbursable fund/loan that will be implemented to support working capital for business start up and development. MAREP will publish its first call for applications to the RIF and LOC in 2012 and organizations are expected to submit business plans and proposals for consideration for funding. MAREP’s target communities in St. Andrew, St. David and St. George are: St. Andrew Post Royal, Paradise Cocoa/Simon, Telescope, Soubise, Mt. Horne St. David Vincennes, Windsor Forest, La Tante St. George New Hampshire For further information, please contact MAREP on telephone 442-0105/442-0100 or email marepgrenada@gmail.com or fax 442-0104.