Kingstown, April 4, 2017: The Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines has made significant progress in boosting the development of the Information Communication and Technology (ICT) sector. To this end, grants totalling more than XCD 2.5 million have been distributed to twenty-one (21) local businesses within the past year.
The funds were awarded through the Business Incubation and Training Grants programme that is a component of the Caribbean Regional Infrastructure Programme (CARCIP) SVG project that was launched in 2014. CARCIP SVG forms part of Government’s initiative to increase the range of local business enterprises utilising modern technology, support business expansion and create jobs.
Under the Business Incubation Grants programme, sixteen (16) businesses, including existing and start-up enterprises have each received funding of up to XCD 150,000. A total of over XCD 1.4 million has been disbursed. The businesses received funding for equipment, software and marketing support. The recipients are also receiving assistance in the development of skills as incubatees of the National Centre of Technological Innovation (NCTI) Business Incubator Programme. Six (6) incubatees located across St. Vincent are being supported virtually while ten (10) are residential incubatees stationed at the NCTI’s Business Incubator at the Diamond Industrial Estate.
Business Incubation grant recipients are:
|
Name of Business |
Industry/Nature of Business |
|
Konservi |
ICT/Mobile Application Advertising |
|
ITC Orbit |
ICT/Information Technology Services (Network systems, support services etc.) |
|
NetMedia Information Solutions |
ICT/Web Development and Internet Consulting |
|
MyCaritech |
ICT/Online School/ Onsite Robotics Programme |
|
Ekofinez |
Manufacturing/Metal/Wood Fabrication (2D printing) |
|
ITFX Digital Solutions |
ICT/Information Technology Services (Audio-visual, telecommunications, etc.) |
|
Stormywindz Productions Studios |
Creative and Cultural/Production company (Video, audio, photography) |
|
Ekapps |
ICT/Website development and Business software services |
|
3A’s Technology Services |
ICT/Mobile device software repairs |
|
MetroCaribbean |
Tourism/Website and Mobile Application Advertising |
|
FSimages |
Tourism/Digital Photography |
|
Auxano |
ICT/Mobile application and website development, Business Software development |
|
Green Finger Farms |
Agriculture/Virtual Farmers Market |
|
MHR Holdings |
ICT/Business Processing Outsourcing |
|
Paris Engineering |
Manufacturing/3D Structural Engineering/Designing |
|
Modern Language School of SVG |
ICT/Traditional and online classes in Spanish and English as a Second Language |
Under CARCIP SVG’s Training Grants programme, six (6) businesses are benefiting from funding of up XCD 150,000. This programme has committed XCD 586,000 in grants for Vincentian small businesses and non-government institutions. The training is improving the skills set of their employees/members in ICT or ICT-related areas. Businesses also received equipment and software to support the training activities.
Training Grant recipients are:
|
Name of Business |
Nature of Business |
|
KMK Fashion |
Manufacturing/Fashion Designing and Dressmaking |
|
STEM SVG Summer Camp |
ICT/ Training Organization |
|
SVG Save the Children Fund |
Health & Wellness/ Child development, Child development training and Community development |
|
SVG Institute of Architects |
Construction/Association for Architects, Engineers, Surveyors |
|
MILC Vision |
Creative and Cultural/Audio visual suite and recording studio |
|
Tami B Designs |
Creative and Cultural/Swimwear and resort wear manufacturing |
Meanwhile, over three hundred and ten (310) Vincentians have received ICT training at the NCTI over the past year. The Government distributed approximately XCD 300,000 thousand in bursaries under the CARCIP Training Grants programme to cover eighty percent (80%) of the cost for courses.
Courses included webpage design, mobile app design and development, graphic design, Cisco Certified Associate, Android development, Comptia A+, Security + and Network +.
Interested persons can contact the NCTI at 456-2971or visit www.svgncti.org for more information.
CARCIP SVG is a regional initiative that involves St. Lucia, Grenada and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The project is financed through a loan by the World Bank. The Business Incubation and Training Grants Programme is estimated to cost XCD 4.185 million. CARCIP SVG is being implemented by the Ministry of Economic Planning, Sustainable Development, Industry, Information and Labour.
See more pictures of Incubatees here http://carcip.gov.vc/carcip/index.php/gallery/category/9-incubatees.
