List of Programmes
Filter Programmes by title of plan or Strategy
Description of Plan or Strategy
| TITLE OF PLAN OR STRATEGY | Shelter – Integrated Vulnerability and Resilience Plan |
| DESCRIPTION OF PLAN OR STRATEGY | Use placeholder text |
Programme Overview
| Division or Agency Name | Division of Finance and the Economy |
| Programme Name | Enterprise Development Programme |
| Development Agenda Priority | DAP U: Growth in Small, Medium-Sized, and Large Businesses |
| Regional Development Goals | RDG K: Promote Regional Small, Medium-Sized, and Large Business Growth |
| Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals | SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities |
| Alignment with Vision 2030 Thematic Areas | Theme 4: Building Globally Competitive Businesses |
| Programme Budget | $5,000,000 |
| Level of Capital Investment | Tier-(1): Less than $50M |
| Programme Budget Cycle | 2025-2026 |
| Development Planning Cycle | 2025-2030 |
Programme Description
- The Enterprise Development Programme is a strategic initiative designed to drive business growth, strengthen entrepreneurship, and enhance economic resilience in Tobago. It offers a suite of projects that provide financial support, capacity building, and infrastructure development to foster a dynamic and sustainable private sector.
- The Enterprise Development Loan and Enterprise Development Grant equip businesses with the necessary capital to scale operations, invest in innovation, and improve competitiveness. The Business Incubator Project supports start-ups and emerging enterprises by providing mentorship, training, and workspace solutions to accelerate growth.
- The Micro-Centres Project establishes accessible hubs for small businesses, artisans, and micro-entrepreneurs, creating commercial spaces that stimulate local economic activity. The Scarborough Esplanade Project revitalizes the capital’s waterfront area to facilitate commercial expansion, tourism, and investment opportunities.
- The Strategic Business Development Project focuses on assisting high-growth enterprises with targeted interventions to boost market access and competitiveness. Additionally, the Cooperative Development Project empowers cooperative enterprises through financial assistance, training, and resource support, enhancing their efficiency and economic impact.
- Together, these initiatives create a robust ecosystem that promotes business sustainability, job creation, and economic diversification, positioning Tobago for long-term prosperity
Programme Problem Context
- Tobago’s small, medium, and large enterprises face significant barriers to growth, including limited access to tailored financing, insufficient mentorship, and restricted market opportunities.
- The lack of appropriate financial products, business support services, and infrastructure, particularly for co-operatives and MSMEs, impedes their ability to expand and diversify beyond the tourism sector.
- Moreover, the shortage of business spaces for these enterprises, especially those benefiting from loans or grants, further restricts their growth potential.
Programme Policy Solution
- The Division of Finance shall promote sustainable economic development by facilitating the growth and diversification of small, medium, and large enterprises, particularly co-operatives and MSMEs, through the provision of tailored financial products, structured mentorship programs, and enhanced business infrastructure, including dedicated spaces and incubators.
Programme Targets
- Provide financial support and grants to a minimum of 500 micro and small enterprises per cycle, with at least 70% achieving sustainability within three years.
- Support at least 25 start-ups per cycle with training, mentorship, and access to workspace through a business incubator framework.
- Maintain and expand a minimum of 5 operational business hubs or micro-centres per cycle offering affordable spaces and shared services.
- Develop and fully operationalize Scarborough waterfront commercial spaces for at least 30 tourism, retail, and service-based businesses per cycle.
- Support at least 75 high-growth enterprises per cycle to improve market access, innovation capacity, and competitiveness.
- Strengthen at least 50 cooperatives per cycle through targeted financial assistance, training, and governance capacity-building.
- Achieve an average of 1,000 verified new jobs created per cycle through supported enterprises and infrastructure projects.
Programme Targets Measures of Success
- At least 70% of supported micro and small enterprises remain operational and profitable three years after receiving financial support.
- 90% of start-ups supported through the incubator complete the training programme and launch commercially viable operations.
- All business hubs or micro-centres maintain 80%+ occupancy rates with positive tenant satisfaction scores each year.
- Scarborough waterfront commercial spaces achieve 90% occupancy within 18 months of launch and maintain full compliance with operating standards.
- 80% of high-growth enterprises report increased revenue, market share, or export activity within two years of programme support.
- 75% of strengthened cooperatives demonstrate improved governance, financial management, and member engagement within two years of assistance.
- Verified job creation figures meet or exceed 1,000 new positions per cycle, with at least 60% filled by Tobago residents.
