In 2011, the loan portfolio of FundAccess moved from an average of $3 million a year to $5 million, in less than nine months – an increase of 66 per cent.
Word of this from Minister of Small Business and Rural Development Denis Kellman during a recent Market Day event hosted by the St Peter Constituency Council in Speightstown.
“Since 2008, 443 jobs have been created through the programme. The National Micro Enterprise Programme which was introduced in 2009 has expended approximately $3 million over the period and created some 792 jobs to date. These figures do not account for those jobs created through start-ups financed by the BIDC (Barbados Investment and Development Corporation) for small business endeavours assisted through the Enterprise Growth Fund,” he said.
Kellman also praised the work of the councils, suggesting that their role was critical in fostering the entrepreneurial spirit within the community.
Read the full story in today’s SATURDAY SUN.
