"Empretec is an integrated capacity building programme of the United Nations Conference for Trade and Development (UNCTAD) designed for the creation of sustainable support structures that help promising entrepreneurs build innovative and internationally competitive small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), thereby contributing to the development of a dynamic private sector," says its mission statement.
Since its 1988 inception, Empretec has been initiated in 27 countries worldwide. Among these countries are Brazil, Venezuela, Botswana and Ethiopia. This programme was introduced to Guyana in March 2003. It is funded by the Government of Guyana (GoG), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Guyana Manufacturing Association (GMA).
Recently Empretec held a graduation ceremony that marked the close of its final workshop for the year.
At that ceremony three individuals were awarded for their outstanding performance during the programme. These individuals are Elizabeth Hughes, Vanessa Kerret and John Campbell. They took some time out to speak to Stabroek News about their achievements.
Elizabeth Hughes got an award for recognition of the most entrepreneurial behavioural patterns. The group of which she was a member received awards for the best feasibility study done in 24 hours and best negotiation skills.
"You need to put aside two weeks of your life in order to fully appreciate the programme."
Hughes feels that the programme was tough, yet excellent. It can improve your knowledge and ability to cope.
Motivation to get involved with Empretec came from her intention to open a shop for hand-created products from Guyana and the Caribbean.
She had heard about Empretec and thought it was a good idea to get into the programme.
Her decision seems to have paid-off since she said the programme has helped her with preparing to open, and she is a lot more focused on her goals, and what is necessary for her to achieve those goals in business.
John Campbell says that he is a forester by profession and was employed by the forestry commission. He has a daughter and has been married for the last six years.
The business he intends to do has features of both agriculture and forestry. The agricultural section of his business involves the cultivation of fresh vegetables including red and black-eye peas, for export. The forestry aspect of his business proposal addresses the harvesting of lumber, dressing the lumber and selling it on the international market.
"The main problem I had before the Empretec workshop was with the setting of goals and achieving them," and, "it has done a lot in terms of goal-setting."
The award he received was for being the first qualified empreteco. This award involved the identification of 30 aspects of entrepreneurial behaviour. He is now planning and surveying the land and setting it in plots. The main ports of marketing at this early stage are Barbados and Trinidad. Campbell said he is working closely with the New Guyana Marketing Association (NGMA) to identify and supply the appropriate markets.
Vanessa Kerret saw the advertisement for Empretec, and was told about Empretec by a parent. She then applied, and was invited to an interview at which she succeeded. The programme gave her help with the setting of goals for the future development of her business.
She has been in the child-care business for four years. At present her business includes a play-school and day-care. "With persistence, efficiency and encouragement I have been able to survive," she said. At this point she is preparing to launch a nursery school in September of 2004. She was awarded for doing a project that got the highest profits.The project required that participants design a business plan, earmark a location, source information, create sales and profit and loss.
Kerret worked overseas in the field of child-care and carried on a sewing school in Guyana before venturing into her own childcare business. She said, "I enjoy working with children and the elderly."