PHILIPSBURG – The Department of Economy, Transportation and Telecommunication (ETT) in conjunction with the European Union (EU) funded COSME Programme, successfully hosted a 3-day SME Start and Develop Your Business (SME-SDB) training programme.
Through this 3-day program, the Department and COSME were able to directly assist both established and future entrepreneurs. The trainings, which were coordinated and executed by COSME’s Key Expert SME and Private Sector Development Prakaash Rostam, and were led by trainer Sonia Hunte, who provided a wealth of knowledge to participants.
Throughout the 3 days, participants learned about business models and planning, the value of marketing and conversions and the importance of financial management, amongst other things. Moreover, participants received presentations focused on business licensing requirements from Head of the Business License Department Head Valya Pantophlet-Lake, and were introduced to services provided by the Bureau of Intellectual Property through presentations by Vicentia Rosen-Sandiford and Aarti Jusia-Ramdial of the Bureau.
Over the 3 days, attendees praised the presenters and organizers for the useful and practical training material made available. The success of the workshops and satisfaction of the 35 participants are a testament to the close partnership between ETT and COSME, and the shared vision of expanding the capacities of entrepreneurs.
At the end of the workshops, participants were presented with certificates to commemorate their commitments to entrepreneurship. In his closing remarks, TEATT Secretary General Miguel de Weever, encouraged participants to reach out to their fellow entrepreneurs for support while continuously developing their own business skills.
In describing the significance of institutional capacity building as an important ingredient for the sustainability of entrepreneurs, Rostam identified the combination of knowledge and skills in business development and management as keys for every entrepreneur.
The Department is already planning its calendar for 2017, with the intention of providing more training opportunities for local entrepreneurs. Persons interested in joining the Department’s SME mailing list can email EVT.Inquiries@sintmaartengov.org to ensure that they stay abreast of future developments.
