Basseterre, St. Kitts, December 20, 2010 (SKNIS):  Senior Minister of International Trade Industry and Commerce Hon Dr. Timothy Harris has called for a new culture of entrepreneurship in the country.
 

Minister Harris saluted role models in this regard including Michael Morton, TDC Chairman; Scott Caines, owner of C&C Foods Ltd and Gabriel Thomas manager of Xpress Auto Rentals, whom he said had given up their employee status to become masters of their destiny.

 
 “As we attempt to encourage a culture of enterprise and entrepreneurship … we need to highlight ... examples of success stories to emulate. We have to tell about the business success and acumen of Michael Morton, Chairman  of TDC and one of the largest public companies with principally local ownership… So too must we draw their attention to local management and control of S L Horsford,” Dr. Harris said as he made his 2011 budget presentation to the national assembly.
 

The senior Minister hailed the entrepreneurship efforts of Heston Hamm of Mansion village, a former police officer turned marketing officer, who has set up a company specializing in the production of high quality products such as banisters, tile and other stone products.
 

Commenting on the fact that such individuals stand out in the community by ably demonstrating that locals can manage and run successful entities, he called on residents to support the efforts of these locally based and operated businesses.

 
Trade minister Harris told parliament, “For us coming from a colonial history, the present day visibility of management and control in local hands is a sure demonstration of our progress.”

     
He highlighted the increasing relevance of self employment in the post 2008 global recession era noting that those who seek to become entrepreneurs, having conducted the appropriate market research had a relatively high chance of success.