In November 2020 the Organization for Responsible Governance launched an initiative designed to give small businesses on Grand Bahama and Abaco specifically, a platform to outline the current challenges brought on by the dual crisis of Hurricane Dorian’s impact and the global Covid-19 pandemic.
Since the November launch, the survey which was part of a wider collaborative effort with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), has received up to 350 survey submissions, however program organizers say they’re hoping to reach at least 500 entrepreneurs.
“It goes without saying that Micro, Small, and Midsize enterprises (MSMEs), are responsible for driving economic activity throughout the country,” Tiffany Bain- Saunders, ORG Education and Program Consultant. “Being aware of their challenges is critical data that can be used to set policy and discover growth trends as well.”
In The Bahamas, 90 percent of all business owners fall into the category of Small or Medium-Sized enterprises, with a significant number of them impacted negatively by the current economic conditions. “The dual crisis has forced many businesses to lay off staff, reduce their hours of operation, or worse” Saunders added. “While we are all anecdotally aware of the challenges our economy has faced, we need MSME data recorded to make sure future decisions any Government makes on how to help them is directed properly.”
The survey, which can be found at ORGs website- orgbahamas.com/sme, engages business owners on a wide range of issues like the impact of COVID-related restrictions, challenges with access to supplies after the Hurricane, and how the government has supported or hindered their capacity to remain open. The survey is estimated to take 15 minutes, with anonymity for all companies.
Once compiled, the report of results will be presented to the Ministry of State for Finance and the Small Business Development Center to aid in future policies and legislation.
The compiled information will also be shared utilizing ORG’s relationships with the Small Business Development Center, local Chambers of Commerce, and NGO’s.
“We have called local business, emailed and texted some as well,” noted Saunders. “Grand Bahama response has been very strong, but we are still in need of more Abaco feedback. We encourage all business owners to speak to our representatives or to visit our website – your voice is so important in this!”
For more information on the Organization for Responsible Governance or the Socio-Economic Impact Assessment of MSMEs, please contact Matt Aubry, ORG Executive Director at maubry@orgbahamas.com. For more on the United Nations Development Programme and its programmes to support Disaster Recovery and Resilience in The Bahamas, please contact Etoile Pinder, UNDP Recovery Project Coordinator at etoile.pinder@undp.org.
