BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – TONIGHT (June 2), service operators, businesspersons and prospective entrepreneurs of Sandy Point would be given an opportunity to discuss issues affecting their businesses with their Parliamentary Representative Hon. Shawn Richards.
According to the organisers, the event, which begins at 7:30, is expected to attract over 30 of the constituency’s established and emerging businesspersons to the St. Annes’ Anglican Church Hall and would allow them to address their issues and concerns affecting the business sector in Sandy Point.
Speaking to SKNVibes, Richards informed that the forum would gather information from the Sandy Point business community, to discuss issues affecting its operation and to derive appropriate short and long-term responses to encourage healthy business operations in the town.
“The forum is extremely important, especially as we make a special attempt to include young entrepreneurs. These individuals and their businesses are important for the survival of business in Sandy Point. They would, of course, have plans and ideas as to the direction in which business should go. Their views should help to carve out that direction,” Richards said.
Richards, who has recently been announced as Shadow Minister for Finance, Economic Planning and Industry and Commerce for the People’s Action Movement (PAM), said the business representatives would assess the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats to the business community in Constituency Number Five in order to formulate appropriate policies.
He indicated that discussions could possibly address availability of land for businesses, incentives for small businesses, the impact of the ongoing economic crisis and the negative effect criminal activity may have on businesses.
The information obtained, according to Richards, would be used to shape policy for business in Sandy Point and would assist his party in putting together its manifesto and advocate in the interest of business owners.
