NCC and NEDCO Boost the Creative Industry
Port of Spain, Trinidad, May 5, 2015: “As one of our country’s most viable and sustainable businesses, Carnival has to be managed properly and given room to grow and develop. The problem, as it is, is that Carnival, so unique by its very nature, with a diverse creative community, a lack of formal education systems and certifications, and a lack of a formalised economic and social architecture is difficult to develop. Difficult, but we know, not impossible.”
“Today, we set out to prove that.”
National Carnival Commission (NCC) Chairman, Lorraine Pouchet made this commitment at the formal signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Commission and the National Entrepreneurship Development Company (NEDCO), which took place at the NCC’s VIP Lounge at the Queen’s Park Savannah on Monday May 4.
The business development initiative, the first of its kind, will pave the way for entrepreneurs within the creative industry, the mas community, and several of its affiliates to have access to a variety of business-building services.
The services include: start-up and expansion loan facility services, training services, advisory services, incubator services, and knowledge/library services.
Also on hand at the signing was Minister of the Arts and Multiculturalism, Dr. The Honourable Lincoln Douglas.
Dr. Douglas used his time at the lectern to congratulate both partners on the initiative, as well as share some insight behind the Ministry’s support of the development of the creative sector industry.
“This MOU will only be an agreement, on paper, unless our creative leaders take advantage of every opportunity it presents. It is important that cultural practitioners recognise and put to use the benefits that will come out of this partnership.”
The NCC and NEDCO believe this latest agreement to be an integral part of a larger, more beneficial and strategic working relationship that will advance the business capacity and commercial viability of micro- and small businesses, in Trinidad and Tobago.
Pouchet urged the participants to make the most of the facility.
“We encourage you to look at this facility as your own. In so doing, we believe you will get the most from it. You will get the most from it because you demand the best from it, you stand to produce the best from it, and you deserve the best from it.”
Julien Henry, CEO of NEDCO (left) and Michael Guyadeen, CEO of NCC (right) sign the Business Training MOU between the NCC and NEDCO at the VIP Lounge, Queen's Park Savannah. Standing looking on is Dr. the Honourable Lincoln Douglas, Minister of the Arts & Multiculturalism (left) and Lorraine Pouchet, Chairman of NCC.
