Above: St Vincent (CJ Photo)

By Gerard Best
CJ Contributor

Entrepreneurship is getting a boost in St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Businesses in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines have until April 3 to apply to provide incubation services to entrepreneurs, as part of an ongoing government grant funding programme.

Under its Information and Communications Technology (ICT) development agenda, the country’s government has been on a drive to accelerate the growth and success of entrepreneurial companies.

Successful Business Incubation grant applicants are expected to provide an array of business support resources and services to budding business, including physical space, capital, coaching, common services and networking connection.

To be eligible for funding, a business must be legally registered with the relevant local authorities and have a physical presence in the country. It must also have a suitably qualified and experienced business incubator manager and support staff. Services offered could be virtual or residential.

The programme is part of the country’s Caribbean Regional Communication Infrastructure Program (CARCIP).

Funded by the International Development Association of the World Bank, the CARCIP helps governments and private sector to harmonize the development of critical telecommunications infrastructure in three participating Eastern Caribbean countries—Grenada, Saint Lucia, and St Vincent and the Grenadines.

CARCIP SVG is being implemented by the Central Planning Division and coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, Commerce and Information Technology.