TT state-run agency credited with re-energizing small businesses in San Fernando

Trinidad and Tobago is giving credit to its startup loans, grants and training from business chambers and state agencies in the twin-island Republic for what the business community is saying has been a vibrant resurgence of retail business activity in San Fernando and its surroundings. What is being described as the springing “back to life” in the city for the retail sector is being credited to surge of startup loans, grants and training from business chambers and state agencies.

Among the local business support entities that have attracted plaudits for their contributions for getting small businesses back of their feet are the country’s National Entrepreneurial Development Company Ltd (NEDCO) whose contribution to the revival initiative came in the form of startup loans. Other contributions came from the country’s Unit Trust Corporation in the form of grants and the Entrepreneurship Policy Advisers (EPA) which has been providing instructive guidance in the areas of business growth and development.

The support that has been forthcoming from the private sector has been seen as evidence that more people are seeking opportunities as entrepreneurs, according to the Chief Executive Officer of the state-run National Development Company Limited (NEDCO), which was established to provide micro-finance services to support the development of a sustainable micro- and small-enterprise sector (MSE).*