by Bennette Roach
On March 30, 2016 information reaching The Montserrat Reporter circulated by a member of the small press corps in Montserrat, referred to a ‘media press release’ from the OECS (Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States) Competitive Business Unit (CBU)dated March, 1, 2016.
The release stated as follows: “In January 2016, the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States Competitive Business Unit (OECSCBU) made a call for young entrepreneurs from various sectors in the OECS to indicate their interest in attending a Crowd Funding training.”
The release continued to address the purpose of the training: and informed, “These workshops will assists the OECS Commission through the Competitive Business Unit (CBU) to empower the young entrepreneurs who could assist themselves in raising much needed capital through innovative means in turn, promoting economic growth of the young entrepreneurs in the region…”
It also advise, “This activity is being funded under the 10th European Development Fund (EDF), Economic Integration and Trade of the OECS Region programme.
Training workshops for young entrepreneurs were to be conducted in the OECS territories during the months of February to April 2016 to raise awareness of the dynamics of raising funds through innovative online platforms, Crowdfunding.
The Dominican-based Competitive Business Unit (CBU) of the OECS Commission scheduled the workshops to be held in ten islands to include Montserrat, Anguilla and The British Virgin Islands beginning on February 18th & 19th 2016 in St. Lucia continuing on March 2nd & 3rd 2016 in Nevis and on to Montserrat on March 31 and April 1.
As indicated the media in Montserrat knew nothing of this event, but investigation revealed that the information reached Montserrat and some plans were in place.
Emails show a trail which leaves the appearance the ball dropped in a big way and the scrambling in the end for the workshop resulted in few people out of what appeared to be a strange list of mostly public servants, showing up for the event. Some of those who eventually participated were not listed on the invite list.
TMR and others although not officially informed showed up to cover what we considered to be an important opening for a very worthwhile venture, which though targeting the youth, encouraged “Companies/individuals interested in participating”…to attend. There were two youngsters and nothing was in place to start.
The meetings were to start from 9.00 running till 1.00 p.m. and again from 5.00 p.m. to 9.00 p.m. each day. Only seven persons ended up taking the sessions on the first day and a confused participant (not a public servant) whose name was not on the invitation list, did not attend the second day when confusion reigned any way, unaware of the situation.
The OECS Secretariat informs that the CBU is the delivery agent in the matter and could not comment on Friday having not had a report. The young man who attended the one day, told TMR that he felt educated and that he believes he is in a better position to go forward with his venture with which he has struggled financially so far and lack of support.
