Minister of Public Housing, Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure Hon. Maurice Lake during a recent meeting with representatives of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry asked them to look into an entrepreneurial program and an apprenticeship training program.
"I would like to see the Chamber explore the possibility of an entrepreneurial program that would help local people start a business.
"In my back to basics approach, we all start from small and grow over time. You have to crawl first as a baby before you begin to walk, and those that need that assistance should be able to get it via programs that are in place.
"I would like to see more local people getting into business. It is not easy, and you must have a passion for the type of business that you would like to open.
"Another area that I discussed with the Chamber reps is an apprenticeship training program for hospitality students where they train and develop further into the area of restaurant management and customer service.
"We have a viable tourism sector and the key assets to this sector are the people who work in it. We have no natural resources, but we are rich in human resources. Every business needs to establish a program to help the young people of our nation.
"We all grow together as a strong and viable nation and at the center of this growth should be our people, the leaders of today and tomorrow," Minister Maurice Lake pointed out on Sunday.
Minister Lake also discussed what form of assistance the Chamber could render for the further development and enhancement of agriculture and businesses in this specific area.
The Minister added that a location for the Chamber of Commerce & Industry to be housed was also discussed as this request was handled during the term of former Ministry of VROMI Theo Heyliger.