The financial packages were handed over at a presentation ceremony held at the Ministry of Tourism last Wednesday to the recipients, Devon Felix, Nelon Charles, Antonia Fleming and Caroline Alexander.
The quartet are involved in farming, jewelry making, hairdressing and a grocery shop.

Three of the young Grenadians will start their own businesses while one will advance his small business venture. The youngsters received the sponsorship funds from GYEI for successfully completing the training component of a programme that was facilitated by the Small Enterprise Development Unit (SEDU) of the Grenada Development Bank (GDB).

According to Elsa Baptiste, a representative of SEDU, the unit has trained at least 46 persons in business management and business plan preparation and the four participants are the first to receive sponsorship. They were selected by a review committee set up by the Ministry of Youth.

Baptiste indicated that SEDU will be monitoring those businesses to ensure that they are successful. Youth Officer Responsible for GYEI, Norman Gilbert said that the initiative is being undertaken to assist young persons to start their own businesses.

Gilbert told the participants that the road to success is very difficult and assured them that he will be alongside them in the process. Minister of State responsible for Youth Development, Senator Emmalin Pierre congratulated the participants for what she referred to as "a very, very bold step" they had taken.

According to Sen. Pierre, one of the main reasons for the establishment of GYEI was government's recognition of "the importance of business to the country and the involvement of youth in that sector." "Government has a very important role in youth involvement and development, and I am convinced that government is playing its part in this regards," she said.

Sen. Pierre expressed appreciation to GDB and SEDU for "the level of initiative and contribution they have made so far to this project."