Small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs across St. Kitts and Nevis are being strongly encouraged to register for the Building Bankable Businesses Financial Literacy Programme — a pioneering six-week initiative aimed at improving financial literacy and empowering entrepreneurs to access vital funding for business growth.
Launched on 24th April, 2025, during a media event at the Solid Waste Management Corporation Conference Room, the programme is a collaboration between the Ministry of Small Business, Entrepreneurship, Cooperatives and the Creative Economy and the St. Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla National Bank. The initiative provides practical, boot camp-style training that equips entrepreneurs with essential financial skills, including budgeting, managing cash flow, interpreting financial statements, and preparing compelling loan applications.
Permanent Secretary Delrine Taylor described the programme as a direct response to the challenges many entrepreneurs face in becoming “bankable.” She stressed the importance of helping small business owners present their enterprises in a way that aligns with what financial institutions look for.
“This includes mastering the documentation required to apply for loans, understanding what banks look for in applicants and developing a financial plan that reflects the true potential of their business,” Taylor noted.
In addition to core financial training, the programme includes sessions on personal financial wellness and mental health, reinforcing the message that a stable and focused entrepreneur forms the backbone of a resilient business.
Minister of Small Business, Samal Duggins, shared personal reflections at the launch, highlighting the Government’s ongoing support for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). He noted that in just over two years, more than 300 businesses have successfully accessed funding through government initiatives.
“But we have not stopped there,” Minister Duggins affirmed. “We continue to listen, assess and respond. We recognise that gaps and barriers still exist that prevent many from accessing the capital they need, and that is why we are here today.”
The Building Bankable Businesses initiative forms part of the Ministry’s broader mandate to create an enabling environment for entrepreneurship, reduce financial exclusion, and contribute to national economic resilience. Participants will emerge from the programme with improved readiness to engage banks and investors, ultimately enhancing their ability to scale up and sustain their businesses.
Business owners, start-up founders, and anyone considering entrepreneurship are urged to sign up early, as space is limited. Registration details can be obtained directly from the Ministry or through its official social media pages.
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