The We Gatherin’ Co-operative Entrepreneurial Fair, which was held on Saturday at Church Village Green, Central Bank, St Michael, attracted a steady stream of visitors despite the inclement weather.
The showcase featured a diverse mix of co-operatives, small businesses, and financial education initiatives, reflecting a growing national focus on community empowerment and economic resilience.
Minister of Energy and Business Development Lisa Cummins noted the wide network of collaborators supporting the fair, including the Co-operative Department, the Small Business Association, Business Barbados, Barbados Trust Loans, and the Barbados FundAccess Ltd.
She said these agencies function as a coordinated business support team, working to ensure Barbadians are equipped to make sound financial choices, especially as the holiday season approaches.
“This is about making sure that Barbadians, especially as we head into this Independence month and this Christmas festive season, have an anchor to be able, on one hand, to support small businesses, and on the other hand, to support small businesses while still managing their money, not overspending, and not taking on financial responsibilities or financial obligations they cannot service come the new year.”
Minister Cummins added that all these initiatives remain essential components of the ministry’s ongoing work.
National Coordinator for the National Financial Literacy Program, Fabian Bartlett, said, “We are really here to engage the public on what it is to become better with money. That is the real heart of the programme, helping the average Barbadian learn more about saving, budgeting, and investing.”
Community Officer Fabian Sargeant said that in the future, they intend to go into communities with community clinics.
“These clinics are really to reach persons at the grassroots level, helping them understand money, how to manage their money, and even giving them strategies and tips in terms of multiplying money and developing generational wealth.”
Sargeant said limited resources should not be a deterrent. “The average person will be able to bring their two cents, their hundred dollars, their weekly salary, and say, ‘This is what I have,’ and develop plans with professionals, with one-on-one consultations in terms of developing those personalised plans on how to really manage their money.”
Registrar of Co-operatives Brent Gittens said he was pleased with the turnout. Among the organisations participating was the Ujamaa Co-operative Society Ltd., Barbados’ first hybrid co-operative, combining both consumer and producer members. The group brings producers and consumers together to share the profits generated from everyday purchases.
Gittens added that several small businesses in attendance were exploring the idea of becoming co-operatives in the future. (STT)
The post Diverse ventures take spotlight at We Gatherin’ entrepreneurial fair appeared first on Barbados Today.
