Ministry of Commerce focused on growing small business sector

DOMINICA:  Government has long recognized the importance of the small business sector and in 2014, the Ministry of Commerce, Enterprise and Small Business Development was established as a full-fledged ministry to encourage growth of the small and medium size business sector in Dominica.

Earlier this month GIS news discussed with Minister for Commerce, Enterprise and Small Business Development, Roselyn Paul, how citizens can take advantage of the opportunities for assistance that exists within her ministry.
She explained, “If someone has a small business idea we walk them through. If it is seen as something viable, either starting up a business or expanding an existing business, we provide the necessary support. We don’t just give the money and leave you on your own; we follow up, we are monitoring to ensure that the resources we provide you can maximize it, build on your business or start off your own business.”
The Hon Minister says business development officers are available to assist with transforming ideas into viable business plans which can receive funding for startup.
The officers are also charged with the responsibility of monitoring new businesses to ensure their success.
Training is also available.
“The business development officers do the one and one and we have training programs as well where we bring in the people and we give business management skills and business leadership skills. We are undertaking a research on status of business or the mapping of business needs, the location of our small business enterprises, existing gaps and the impact of Government’s intervention so far on SMEs. One of the gaps we have seen is business leadership. We will be doing some training to help our business people become business leaders,” she said further.
The aim is for businesses to be more sustainable and dynamic in order to grow and produce export ready products and services.
The Minister indicated that this year the ministry’s focus is on light manufacturing. The Ministry of Commerce is working closely with the Dominica Manufacturers Association and the Craft Association to the improve output of such small businesses.
She noted, “A lot of our businesses are retail type, which means a lot of the surplus value go out of the country. We are trying to focus on agro-processing and light manufacturing which again would lend the opportunity for women and men to work from their homes in cottage type industries but would utilize our raw materials and transform them to products. Our work is to work with these people to ensure increase commerce and when they reach the point of export readiness DEXIA or the other agencies would take them from there.”
Small and medium sized enterprises in Dominica employ 65% of the population and contribute 51% to the gross domestic product.