Business Insight - New Initiative Aims To Empower Blind Entrepreneurs In T&T

Added: 2026-05-05

[00:00:02][music] >> Globally, small and micro enterprises account for 90% of businesses and more than half of the employment worldwide.

[00:00:22]In Trinidad and Tobago, they form the backbone of our economy.

[00:00:28]Speaking at an entrepreneurial training for the blind and visually impaired in Santa Cruz on Monday, Minister of Labour, Small and Micro Enterprise Development, Leroy Baptiste, says entrepreneurship is central to national development. Entrepreneurship is more than starting a business.

[00:00:45]It is about confidence, [snorts] believing in your ability to create and lead.

[00:00:54]It's about creativity, finding solutions where others see obstacles.

[00:01:02]On the program for the blind and visually impaired, the minister noted that equal access to opportunity is non-negotiable. This targeted entrepreneurial training initiative is designed to empower blind and visually impaired individuals with knowledge, skills, and confidence to pursue sustainable business ventures and economic independence. The minister said in TNT, over 15,000 enterprises support thousands of jobs for citizens and stressed the importance of entrepreneurship for the blind and visually impaired community.

[00:01:31]That is why this program is so important.

[00:01:34]It ensures that persons who are blind or visually impaired are not excluded from the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

[00:01:44]You deserve the same chance to innovate, to create, and to thrive.

[00:01:51]Manager of the Enterprise Development Division of the Ministry, Dominic Grel, said the focus isn't just business ideas.

[00:01:57]So, the first thing to do is to look at the various methodologies of the inculcation. So, we looked at the technology and we looked at the hard copy um via braille.

[00:02:08]And it turns out that the while uh the Blind Welfare Association is is is very, very good in terms of technology. Uh as you can see here, all the headsets are in place. So, it's it's going to be very easy.

[00:02:21]At the policy level, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry, Natalie Willis, said inclusion is the goal.

[00:02:27]And participants will leave this program having acquired the knowledge, skills, and confidence to pursue sustainable business ventures and economic independence, which can also be facilitated thereafter through the services of the National Entrepreneurship Development Company Limited.

[00:02:47]For the Trinidad and Tobago Blind Welfare Association, its president, Deonarine Ragoo, said the program represents a long-awaited shift away from dependency.

[00:02:56]Employment in terms of permanent employment for persons with disabilities will continue to be a challenge for us globally and therefore entrepreneurship presents itself as a most viable option.

[00:03:14]The five-day pilot is expected to inform future training with participants able to access additional business development support through NETCO. I am Sonilal with your TTT News Business Insight.

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