Member of Parliament for the Constituency of St. Mark Hon. Dr. Clarice Modeste Curwen, in addressing an Economic Development Forum for St. Mark, said one of the goals of the Forum is the formulation of an Economic Plan for the Parish, noting that it must be a Plan that comes from the people of the Parish.

“The ultimate goal is the implementation of that Plan,” she said, adding; “I hope this would be a Pilot that would influence the whole Nation.”

In addressing the Forum, Dr. Modeste-Curwen announced the results of a Survey of 165 businesses in the Parish conducted between July 10 to 14 by the Agency for Reconstruction and Development, in conjunction with the Ministry of Finance Central Statistics Office.

A preliminary analysis of the results shows that:

• 39 percent of those interviewed are involved in wholesale and retail activities,
• 17 percent in agriculture,
• 9 percent involved in food and beverage,
• 5 percent in construction,
• 4 percent in garments,
• 2 percent in transport and storage,
• 1 percent in manufacturing, and
• The remaining 23 percent in other varying activities.

Dr. Modeste-Curwen also noted the following from the Survey:

1. A keen desire to expand existing business by 77 percent of those interviewed;
2. That 66 percent of those wishing to expand or improve their businesses require financing;
3. The Survey showed that 75 percent of the businesses do not have systems in place to record accounts, production, inventory and sales information. This, sisters and brothers, is significant and tells us there is a critical need for training. Today’s Forum represents a major step and that direction.
4. A need for employment regeneration to improve spending power within the Parish – particularly in the Town of Victoria. Annual gross revenue for 82 percent of the businesses interviewed was less than $25,000 (EC).
5. Some 84 percent of the businesses are financed by personal savings.
6. When asked if businesses planned to expand operations or take advantage of new opportunities, 24 percent said no.