Entrepreneurs from across Barbados seized the opportunity to expand their ventures and forge valuable connections at the Emerging Entrepreneurs Manufacturing and Services Trade Fair and Expo, held on Saturday at the Hoytes Village Playing Field in St James. The event, organized by Barbados Trust Loans Ltd. in collaboration with the Office of the Supervisor of Insolvency, showcased the diversity of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) on the island. Beyond its business focus, the family-friendly expo also featured a dedicated kids’ zone, ensuring inclusivity for all attendees.
Ayesha Coppin, Business Development Officer at Barbados Trust Loans Ltd., shared insights into the initiative’s origins with Barbados TODAY. ‘Our Emerging Entrepreneurs programme launched last year, initially closing Broad Street to create a vibrant market for local entrepreneurs. Participants from various sectors showcased their offerings, inspiring us to host pop-up fairs across the island. Our most recent event was held in Weymouth in June,’ she explained. Coppin emphasized the programme’s inclusive nature, stating, ‘These events are not exclusive to our clients; we actively invite the public and other entrepreneurs to participate and display their services.’
The expo featured a diverse array of booths, highlighting retail, manufacturing, agri-processing, and arts and crafts. Notable displays included intricate graphite-based designs by Victoria Haniff and Syriah Griffith, participants in the Community Arts Programme facilitated by the Community Development Department. Adding a competitive edge, a cook-off was staged between parliamentary representatives for St James: Minister of Educational Transformation Chad Blackman and Minister Sandra Husbands, who oversees higher education and technical training.
Entertainment was a key highlight, with a karaoke competition and performances by local artists Tionne Hernandez, Brucelee Almightee, and Mole. Alethea Thompson, Acting Project Manager of the National Insurance and Social Security Service’s self-employment team, underscored the event’s community engagement value. ‘We’ve brought our office to the playing field, and we’re thrilled to have registered individuals for self-employment and issued self-employment cards,’ she said. Thompson added, ‘We addressed numerous queries, as self-employed individuals often need clarity on our services and benefits.’
The expo not only provided a platform for business growth but also strengthened community ties, reflecting Barbados’ commitment to fostering entrepreneurship and innovation.
