Spotlight on young entrepreneurs from November 21 to 26

As part of efforts to highlight the significance of young entrepreneurs to the nation’s development, a week dedicated to that group will be observed from November 21 to 26.
Hosted by the Young Entrepreneurs Association of Jamaica (YEA), ‘National Entrepreneurs Week’ will turn the spotlight on young business owners. Through a slew of activities across the island, the week of observance will highlight entrepreneurial issues; examine options available to young entrepreneurs; look at the role of entrepreneurship in the building of the nation; and seek to attract more of the country’s youth to the field.
Speaking at the launch held on November 10 at the offices of Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO) in Kingston, Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Karl Samuda, reiterated that young entrepreneurs are critical for the growth and development of any nation.

Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Karl Samuda, makes a point during the launch of National Entrepreneurs Week at the Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO) offices in Kingston on November 10. The week will be observed from November 21 to 26 under the theme: ‘Dare to Dream: Igniting the Entrepreneurial Spirit’.

“You are in fact the future of Jamaica. We need you as young people, to look at those things you can innovate, things that are typical of Jamaica, manufacture them and market them efficiently,” he stated.
In endorsing the week of observance, the Industry Minister encouraged the YEA to continue to reach out to young people and “show them the best practices and what they can look forward to if they apply themselves”.
President of YEA, Stephen Spence said it is critical to change the mindset of individuals from as early as possible to create their own employment.
“If you leave a tertiary institution, it doesn’t mean that you will have to go and work for a company. We can create our own employment and of course the employment of many others,” he noted.

Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Karl Samuda (right), greets member of the Young Entrepreneurs Association of Jamaica (YEA), Fabian Brown (left), while President of the association, Stephen Spence, looks on at centre. Occasion was the launch of National Entrepreneurs Week today (Nov.10) at the Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO) offices in Kingston. The week will be observed from November 21 to 26 under the theme: ‘Dare to Dream: Igniting the Entrepreneurial Spirit’.

Under the theme: ‘Dare to Dream: Igniting the Entrepreneurial Spirit’ the week of activities gets underway on November 21 with an opening ceremony and exposition at the Wyndham Kingston hotel.
There will be courtesy calls on state officials on November 22; youth seminars at Youth Information Centres (YIC) in Kingston, St. Andrew, St. Ann and Portland on November 23; a lecture at the Technology Innovative Centre, University of Technology campus on November 24; and concludes with a gala at the Wyndham Kingston on November 26.
Aimed at business owners 45 and under, YEA provides an opportunity for members to learn from each other’s experiences and take advantage of peer mentorship as they grow their business.
Among the objectives of the YEA are to: identify and organise entrepreneurs in Jamaica; transform the Jamaican mindset through the promotion of innovation and creativity; facilitate the success of entrepreneurial ideas through the provision of relevant training and education; develop a forum for networking among members and the local and international business community; and promote best ethical business practices.