CATEGORY:YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
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By Trevor Thwaites (Inside Grenada correspondent)

ST.GEORGE, Grenada - Government’s effort to create jobs and generate more employment is being boosted with effort undertaken to enhance the Grenada Youth Enterprise Initiative (GYEI) Programme. The Youth Department in the Prime Minister’s Office is collaborating with the Grenada Development Bank (GDB) to make this a reality. Like many of the more developed countries, government is promoting the development of small and medium size businesses, as part of its attempts to spur economic growth and development.

“The project seeks to provide training, services, financing and support for young people through Micro Enterprise Development”, Permanent Secretary in the Minister’s Officer, Mrs. Elizabeth Henry Greenidge, said last week at a press conference in St George’s. The GDB is expected to provide support services and training for aspiring entrepreneurs and work with them to identify viable projects. The Youth Department will provide the necessary funding through the GBD for the projects.

EC$500,000 are being earmarked for the venture. Previously young Entrepreneurs were limited to EC$10,000 for enterprises. However, it has been extended to EC$15,000 in the new drive. Greenidge said that the Youth Department would be setting up a desk at the bank with an officer who will be entrusted with the responsibility of overseeing the projects put forward. However, she indicated that a committee has been commissioned to examine and decide on the viability of the projects.

“Proposals will not be rejected. The committee will look at ways and means they can be enhanced”, Mrs Greenidge remarked. The initiative is part of government’s efforts to empower the young population and provide them with hope the future.

Three years into its operations, officials are reporting some measure of success with scores of youngsters and others involved. “Some are involved in successful barber shops and agriculture enterprises.”

Mrs Greenidge disclosed that others are also operating grocery shops, poultry projects and other enterprises. “We are now trying to broaden the area of focus and get more people and youngsters involved in other areas of business development.” Greenidge has called on nationals to grab the opportunity to empower themselves. “Those of you out there, who are interested in starting your own businesses, I encourage you to become part of this venture.”