SBDCBelize conducts its annual Client Outreach as part of its monitoring and evaluation

The Small Business Development Centre, Belize (SBDCBelize), a unit of BELTRAIDE that provides customized, needs-based services to Entrepreneurs, and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Belize to facilitate their competitiveness, is currently conducting its annual client outreach program throughout Belize.

The objective of the program is to allow SBDCBelize to meet with new and existing clients to assess their growth, challenges, and assess additional areas that they need guidance and assistance in. As part of this process, surveys are also conducted, in particular: The Centre’s Client Satisfaction Survey, and Needs Analysis to determine training needs. Economic Impact generated is captured via a survey called “Client Growth Assessment “. Which is endorsed by the client and the respective advisor, and approved by the Centre’s Manager. This survey is essential as it reports back on economic indicators such as jobs created, jobs retained, capital investment, and sales generated through the advising and support of SBDCBelize.

As part of the program on Tuesday, 7^th February, the SBDCBelize team, accompanied by Ms Melanie Gideon, General Manager of BELTRAIDE, visited Patchakan Village in the Corozal District where they met with over 15 clients, who have received assistance on how to establish and operate their businesses.  These businesses range from Sewing, Embroidery, Pig-rearing, Fruit Vending, Chicken Rearing and Sales and Food Catering among others.

The visit began with a working session at the Patchakan Community Centre, where the SBDCBelize team had the opportunity to interact with the clients and receive from them first-hand information on how their respective businesses were progressing. The clients, mostly women, expressed their gratitude for the continuous assistance from SBDCBelize and reported with great satisfaction on the growth of their businesses pointing out that their families were also gradually beginning to benefit from their ventures.

The SBDCBelize team had a long and successful day in Patchakan Village.  This success was complimented with a delicious Escabeche Soup from Odiola’s Restaurant, a proud SBDCBelize Client who now does special catering for Relleno and Escabeche  dish orders from throughout Belize.

Corozal Rural Client Outreach will continue on to Wednesday, 8^th February and Thursday February 9^th, where the team will visit Cristo Rey Village, San Pedro Village, and Xaibe , respectively.  Overall, the team will meet and interact with approximately 60 clients.

This outreach is conducted on the last quarter of every year between January and March, as a means of evaluating and monitoring impact that was created to clients over the year, and to collect relevant data so the Centre can report and adjust its delivery of services to the needs of our MSMEs and entrepreneurs. It began two weeks ago and so far has included Belmopan and surrounding areas, Corozal and Belize District (Central). It will move on next week to other parts of the country.

The SBDCBelize’s work program is a vivid example of the Government’s aim to create economic prosperity for Belize through entrepreneurial development, business innovation, and competitiveness.