 Mr. Speaker, over the years, access to adequate capital has been a major hinge on to the growth and development of micro, small and medium-sized businesses. This has worsened since the onset of COVID-19 pandemic and has exposed these businesses to a higher risk of failure. In recognition of this challenge, Mr. Speaker, my government has agreed to assist these businesses in getting on their feet by providing working capital support. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to announce, consistent of our promise in our election manifesto, to small business owners that the government will provide much-needed financial support across all sectors of the economy to the micro, small and medium-sized businesses in the form of soft loans, grants and technical assistance. The MSME soft loan and grant program will advance the government's priorities in the areas of generating economic growth, business expansion, sustainability and diversification, employment creation, and uplifting the quality of life of St. Lucians. This initiative is targeted to reach 849 registered medium and small micro enterprises, including women and young persons, and will provide at least 1698 new jobs. The MSME soft loan and grant program will be implemented by the Department of Commerce, Food and Solutions Development Bank. A total of EC 10 million has been allocated in this year's estimates for that purpose. The Minister of Commerce will please to provide further details about that program. In addition, further support has been made available to the SMEs in the form of loan guarantees for loans secured from the foreign institutions, Bank of St. Lucia, SLDB and First National Bank. These guarantees have been provided for the Eastern Caribbean Partial Credit Guarantee Corporation. SMEs are encouraged to make use of this facility for the purchase of inventory, equipment and the provision of working capital. Assistance is also available to SMEs involved in manufacturing and seeking export markets in the form of certification provided by Export St. Lucia's certification program. The Government of St. Lucia supports the proposed extension of the OECS-MSME Guarantee Facility Project recommended by the World Bank with Export St. Lucia being the executing agency.