ENTREPRENEURS RECEIVE GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT ON GENERATING VIABLE GREEN BUSINESS IDEAS

Basseterre, St. Kitts, March 19, 2019 (SKNIS): Leading up to the Caribbean Green Tech Bootcamp to be held from March 19 to 21, the Caribbean Climate Innovation Centre (CCIC) along with the Ministry of Trade hosted an Idea Generation Session at the Customs and Excise Department, on March 18, where green sector experts gave entrepreneurs the guidance and support on how to generate new ideas to create viable green businesses.

“We are here today because we know innovation isn’t simple,” said Project Manager-CCIC, Carlinton Burrell. “Coming up with new ideas when you’ve already been doing something for a very long time can feel daunting, especially if everyone on your team is well entrenched in the processes that were established for them that has been practiced year after year.”

Mr. Burrell explained that idea generation “is the creative process of generating, developing and communicating new ideas and to speak of challenges that has been experienced in different sectors.” Some of the sectors that were focused on during the session included energy, water and waste water management, transportation, agriculture and tourism.

Present at the session were a number of experts from St. Kitts and Nevis representing the various sectors. Mr. Burrell stated that was important for entrepreneurs to learn from the experts who have gave their time to share insights of their respective fields. He said it was also a chance for the entrepreneurs to create great ideas or innovative changes.

“Each of these sector experts will be giving insights into their respective fields so the entrepreneurs can generate ideas from challenges posed,” he said. “I fervently believe that this Idea Generation Session will lead to finding the next great idea that’s going to solve a particular problem or start a new business that is going to change not only the climate, but the economic and social landscape of St. Kitts and Nevis through adaptation, mitigation and building resilience.”

The project manager noted that it is important for the entrepreneurs to receive implicit knowledge to get on the same page as their global counterpart.

“It is important that we benchmark ourselves, not just what is happening in the region or within your country’s context, but what is happening on a global scale. How do you benchmark yourself to ensure that you are giving excellent goods and services?” he said.

After the sessions, the Ministry of Trade will be supporting the entrepreneurs with the necessary tools and techniques and services required to take them to the next level.