COVID-19 has forced many societal changes and has accelerated the need for inclusive, sustainable digital transformation in the Caribbean region. Businesses, specifically micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) that are critical to the socioeconomic growth of the region, have been hit hard by the pandemic and require support to transform their operations so as to recover and grow.
The Government of Antigua and Barbuda launched a grant programme for MSMEs operating in Antigua and Barbuda, whose owners were desirous of transitioning their businesses to an online or digital model and providing safe deliveries. The programme, which was implemented in collaboration with the India-UN Fund, UNOSSC and UNDP, provided around $8,500 to MSMEs in the agriculture (agribusiness, farming, fishery and livestock), manufacturing, hospitality (events and catering, food and beverage), health and tourism sectors. Those resources were used for activities such as developing or subscribing to an e-commerce website, purchasing a domain name and web hosting platform for an e-commerce website, and facilitating online merchant payment arrangements with a financial institution.
Speaking about the importance of the programme, H.E. Mr. Walton Webson, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Representative of Antigua and Barbuda to the United Nations in New York, noted that “this project once again showed the importance of the South-South cooporation and the full engagement of the UN system. Thanks to the Government of India and UNDP for responding to my request to repurpose the funds to support the effort of the recovery and place the youth in economic activities and provide equipment and material for the health response to the pandemic.” He went on to say that “we began this project a year ago, firstly with an urgent response to the health challenge of COVID-19 by collaborating with UNDP and the Government of India through the South-South cooperation project by reshaping this response to meet both the health and recovery challenges. UNDP responded speedily by assisting us in purchasing equipment and health supplies for the hospital. Once the health challenge was addressed, we turned our attention to supporting individuals, especially the youth, in the recovery process. The project also reached out and provided small grants to some displaced workers.”
Ms. Valerie Cliff, UNDP Resident Representative for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, noted that “MSMEs have made significant contributions to Antigua and Barbuda’s socioeconomic growth, and we recognize that the pandemic has critically impacted these businesses and amplified their unique vulnerabilities. Through programmes such as this one, UNDP will continue to advance MSME recovery and champion digital transformation in the region.”
After a stringent selection process, the following MSMEs were awarded grants to transition their businesses to thrive in the digital landscape. Mr. Elijah James is the owner and developer of The Local App, a tech start- up that is on a mission to build digital communities of destinations around the world. Their aim is to make it easier for businesses and consumers not only to connect better with each other but also to connect the many other available opportunities around them.
“I must say that the MSME Digital Transformation Grant has been nothing short of a timely miracle for my business. Even before the start of the pandemic, I struggled with getting financing even with collateral from financial institutions just to make the investment we needed in software and equipment to take our operations to the next level. So I must say a heartfelt ‘thank you’ to the India-UN Development Partnership Fund, UNOSSC and UNDP for seeing our vision and giving us the opportunity to scale into digital.”
Mr. James said.
At a time when exogenous threats such as COVID-19 and natural disasters are impacting the region, it is vital that development efforts are continued to reinforce the need for regional resilience and building forward better.
