Minister Griffith Urges Youth Entrepreneurs to Pursue Regional and International Business Opportunities

Minister of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment Charles Griffith is appealing to youth entrepreneurs to explore business opportunities regionally and internationally.

As he delivered remarks at the Youth Entrepreneurship Scheme’s (YES) Youth Expo and Talent Show at Sky Mall, Haggatt Hall, St Michael, on Saturday, Griffith said young business owners should not be seeing Barbados as the only place to ply their trade.

He also stated that while it is impossible for the Government to provide employment for every single young person on the island, YES continues to commit resources to promoting entrepreneurship as a viable option for the youth.

“It must be a case now where you must look within the region and even outside of the region in terms of expansion. We would continue to do what is necessary as a Government to ensure that success is the hallmark of everything that is happening with the Youth Entrepreneurship Scheme,” Griffith said, encouraging young people to harness their entrepreneurial skills. Twenty-seven young business owners grasped the opportunity to promote and advertise a wide range of products and services during the event, which started around 10 am.

“One of the things that I recognise in relation to the persons who are displaying here this evening is that there is not an avenue similar to this one for them on a regular basis to display the skills and the services that they have to offer. And I want to salute all of them for what they are doing,” he said.

“One of the things I would guarantee is that through the Ministry, through YES, we will have satellite locations across this country where we promote entrepreneurship at every single level. We will do it in sports; we will do it in the summer camps; every single project that is happening within the Ministry must have this component embedded in it so that our young people can see what is happening,” he said.

Minister Griffith encouraged young people across the island to contact officers of the YES programme to communicate their interest in becoming entrepreneurs.

In addition to a cultural presentation highlighting drummers and dancers from the Haynesville Youth Group, there were musical presentations from the Mighty Bit Bit, Sakarah Thomas, and Shontae-Alleyne Clarke.

Models also showcased clothing and jewellery pieces from several designers, including the legendary Pauline Bellamy, during the Expo.

(AH)