HOLETOWN CHAMBER OF TRADE INC. is about to embark on a number of initiatives aimed at developing sections of Barbados’ West Coast.
Those programmes are designed to improve the physical appearance and social scene as well as increase business opportunities in that part of the island, and raise the standards of local businesses.
“The first thing we aim to do is to create networking opportunities and develop vibrant networks on a business-to-business level and a social level,” said Mark Simmons, head of the association.
He told BARBADOS BUSINESS AUTHORITY that they were not only concerned about the commercial environment in Holetown, but also its physical and social aspects.
“For Holetown, we are concerned about the upkeep of our roads and streets, the cleanliness of our beaches and inland waterways, the cleanliness of the facade of our businesses and we are also concerned with how people interact with each other,” he said.
“With regard to our physical environment, we are very interested and pursuant of upgrading and maintaining the physical environment,” added Simmons.
The upgrade will include regular cleaning of beaches and streets, plus beautifying the neighbourhood by planting “not just trees for shade, but [fruit] trees”.
Simmons also outlined plans to make Holetown a green community, and they would be starting an aggressive recycling campaign for businesses and households.
He said they were also working on developing a training programme for aspiring and existing entrepreneurs.
“We want to develop vibrant entrepreneurship programmes where we actively train members of the community in sound entrepreneurial practices . . . we want to launch it on two levels: one in the primary and secondary schools, and then for the general public.
“That is a project we are working on to create vibrant entrepreneurial activity in the community,” said Simmons, adding that they were hoping to have the programme launched in St James Secondary School by the beginning of next year. (MM
