Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce

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Minister of State in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Michael Stern (centre), addressing the launch of the National Entrepreneurial Conference, at the HEART Trust/National Training Agency (NTA) head office in Kingston, on February 4. The conference will be staged from March 5 to 6, under the theme: 'Honouring Entrepreneurs: the Backbone of a Nation's Economy', at the Knutsford Court Hotel, in Kingston. Listening (from left) are: Chairman, Planning Committee, National Entrepreneurial Conference 2009, Clive Grossett, and Senior Director, Human Resource Planning and Development, HEART Trust/NTA, Colin Barnett.

The Government is implementing measures to assist with the development of the Small and Medium Enterprise (SMEs), Minister of State in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Michael Stern, has stated.

"We do this by providing a wide range of support services and programmes to SMEs, in the areas of business start-up, incubation, information access, human resources development, financing, market access, productivity enhancement and infrastructural facilities," he said.

He noted that with this support, SMEs will be better able to tap into the new opportunities that are available.

The State Minister was speaking at the official launch of the 4th staging of the National Entrepreneurial Conference, at the HEART Trust/National Training Agency (NTA) head office in Kingston, today (Feb. 4).

He pointed out that this support is conducive to the development and growth of SMEs, which are integral to the sustainability of the economy.

The Minister said that while the Government is doing its part, it was crucial that SMEs also take the initiative to heighten their awareness of the changes and challenges ahead of them, and equip themselves to enhance their capacities.

"Our entrepreneurs must equip themselves with new skills and the right mindset, with a view to enhancing their capabilities for coping with the current challenges. This is not just a question of how our entrepreneurs should live up to these challenges but, more importantly, how soon we can do it," he said.

Mr. Stern said that it is the true entrepreneur who will be able to handle the uncertainties of the present times, without falling apart.

"He or she must be able to lead, manage, identify, prioritise, execute and, most importantly, make decisions," he remarked.

He commended the stakeholders' involvement in organising the conference and encouraging other stakeholders to attend.

The conference, which targets entrepreneurs, will be held March 5- 6, at the Knutsford Court Hotel in Kingston, under the theme, 'Honouring Entrepreneurs: the Backbone of a Nation's Economy.'

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