We were delighted to launch our Backing Winners Anguilla programme at the Government House Grounds on Thursday 3rd March. The programme has been financed by the Caribbean Development Bank, through its Caribbean Technological Consultancy Services (CTCS) Network.
Our President, Vida Lloyd Richardson welcomed everyone to the event, guests included Governor Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam, Deputy Governor Perin Bradley, Premier Dr Ellis Lorenzo Webster, Minister Kyle Hodge, the ACOCI Board Directors and many of the participating business and trainers. She said, “The goal of this programme is to prepare business owners to manage and lead successful effective enterprises.
ACOCI promotes and supports local businesses. We are intentional about making a difference for our members and the community at large.” She encouraged the participating businesses to use the opportunity to move their businesses forward with clarity.
Governor Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam said she was delighted to be at the Backing Winners Programme launch, noting that a program like this which seeks to fulfill the full potential of all those present who take the financial risk to start a business is truly heartening. She said, “To have this infrastructure of support is pretty phenomenal and I want to give a round of applause to ACOCI in their belief in doing this. They have championed the development of local micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). The Backing Winners Programme closely aligns with the long-standing aim to help businesses proper which in turn creates employment, bolsters the local community and improves the quality of life for everyone who lives in Anguilla.”
Minister of Economic Development Kyle Hodge, who is also a businessman and former chairman of the Get Set Programme and the Anguilla Youth Business Foundation, spoke of the challenges of being a business owner. He said “Being a business owner is not choosing the easy way out and is not for everyone. In these uncertain times, we have to know what we are getting into. In a business climate where competitive advantage determines the life or death of a business, where resources may be thinning and costs escalating, this Backing Winners Programme is very timely.”
March and April workshops are planned in customer service, marketing, human resources, record keeping and business planning. Following the workshops, five local business advisors and two local specialists advising in the areas of finance and marketing, will provide free business advice and support to the twenty participating member companies.
