SLDB Launches New Youth Business Scheme
Wednesday will see the launch of a novel youth entrepreneurship programme by the Saint Lucia development Bank. The Youth Enterprise Equity Fund will stage a press launch on Wednesday and an official public launch on Friday.
The launch is part of activities to mark the Bank’s first anniversary since its re-establishment. According to Shakka St. Ange, the Equity Fund will be one with a difference, offering young aspiring business owners equity financing to help them create employment for themselves and others.
"Young persons with the proper business and technical training who want to set up a business, can come to the bank to try to secure financing for that particular project. Now instead of offering loan financin which has repayment terms, we're going to offer shares. The equity fund which is actually being promoted by the Saint Lucia Development Bank ill actually purchase shares in the business. Those young persons ahve to be between the ages of 18 and 35 and have to have proper business and technical training, and basically that is the structure of the fund."
Friday’s launch will take place at the National Cultural Centre