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By S.Browne. Updated 2:20 p.m., Friday, September 12 , 2025, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).
Over twenty (20) entrepreneurs have received training to withstand potential crises and operational disruptions within their businesses through the inaugural Business Continuity Planning for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Workshop held by the Centre for Enterprise Development Inc. (CED).
The three-day workshop, held at the CED’s Conference Room from 9–11 September, was attended by entrepreneurs who operate MSMEs, including eight women from the island of Canouan. Its aim was to empower participants to equip their businesses with a robust Business Continuity Plan (BCP) to minimise disruptions, safeguard operations, strengthen resilience, and provide practical knowledge on risk management that can be applied directly to their enterprises.
The CED workshop was supported by the United Nations’ Build Back Equal Project, which sponsored fourteen (14) women to attend. Topics covered included hazards in the Caribbean, risk identification and business impact analysis, mapping critical business functions, and the process of collecting and analysing data to develop a BCP. The workshop also examined activities to maintain business operations following an event, and concluded with guidance on completing and testing a plan, as well as considering potential impacts of hazards on MSMEs through scenario-based exercises.
Speaking at the brief closing ceremony, CED’s Training and Education Coordinator, Keisha Phillips, reflected on the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, Hurricane Beryl, the La Soufrière volcanic eruptions of 2021, and other disruptions. She emphasised that the need for MSMEs to have Business Continuity Plans was a crucial lesson recognised by CED. She also highlighted the importance of sensitising business owners to the value of developing these plans. Ms Phillips urged participants to continue working on their draft plans and assured them that CED would provide ongoing support to ensure their plans are completed and well-developed.
The workshop concluded to the gratitude of all participants, who represented several sectors, including tourism, education, healthcare services, and the cultural and creative industries. Participants shared how the training would impact their businesses.
For some, the training was a revelation. Christiana Thompson-Davis, owner of the Garden of Eden Nursing Home, stated, “I never thought about having an emergency plan. Now I know I have to put something in place to manage. It was very informative, and I would like to see more training offered, especially in the area of nursing homes.”
Similarly, Canouan resident Dalia Bowens of Nature’s Touch explained, “Before Tuesday, I never considered half of the topics we covered in this three-day session. I never thought of having a continuity plan. It also highlighted the importance of data and keeping records up to date and stored in an accessible place.”
Godric Nichols of Nurtured by Nature Cooperative Society described the workshop as very informative and dynamic, adding that he would like to see more men participating in such training sessions.
For business owners affected by recent disasters, the training offered critical direction. Marslyn Lewis of Canouan, owner of Marslyn’s All Natural Seamoss Solutions, spoke about the impact of Hurricane Beryl on her business. She acknowledged the need for changes and systems to mitigate future disaster impacts. On a hopeful note, she said, “The training this week has given me a clear roadmap to approach this in a simplified way,” and expressed excitement to return and develop her business continuity plan.
For more information or updates on upcoming training sessions and events, follow the Centre for Enterprise Development Inc. on Facebook, email: cedsvg@gmail.com, or call 1 784 451 2235.
This information was sourced from a press release sent to us by the Centre for Enterprise Development Inc. (CED).
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