Premier Ewart Brown along with Deputy Premier Paula Cox and Minister of Environment and Sports El James have all praised the Rubber Tree Market for providing a place for entrepreneurs to sell their goods.

The Rubber Tree Market is open every Saturday at the rubber tree next to Warwick Post Office with vendors selling a variety of products.

Speaking at a press conference yesterday, Dr. Brown said the new market was also a site for economic opportunity which the Government promised to spread all over the Island after Minister Cox brought the Economic Empowerment Zone legislation to the House of Assembly last year.

"A day is near when this site will bustle with vendors and shoppers doing business with one another. I understand that new day is at least partly underway with a few vendors having set up shop, particularly on the weekends. They have already taken advantage of this Government's commitment to economic empowerment island wide.

He continued: "The Rubber Tree Market will be a legal place for entrepreneurs who don't require a brick and mortar structure to sell their wares."

Minister Cox echoed Dr. Brown's sentiments and credited Minister of Culture and Social Rehabilitation, Dale Butler, for the idea.

"Minister Butler launched the grassroots effort to transform this area into a productive and prosperous environment; an area aimed at providing entrepreneurs with a setting in which to sell their wares in their own space. It was a simple but empowering concept, an honest day's work for an honest day's pay.

"The seeds of that initiative have grown into the thriving project that we have today. With this initiative this venue becomes a hub of activity, with residents from St. George's to Somerset descending on the area to support their fellow Bermudians."

Minister James, representative of the constituency, said the market will attract locals and tourists alike and increase vibrancy and community involvement in Warwick.

"If people have pride in their community, antisocial behaviour decreases.

"If people can earn a living and provide for their families, crime decreases. If people believe their future is bright, we are all winners."

Vendor Sayeed Ramadan said he was very excited about the launch of the market despite being a vendor there for three or four years.

"I feel this is a very important step in encouraging entrepreneurs in getting started. We are always taught to apply for jobs. We've never been taught how to create a job. I think this is an excellent step in moving forward."

Mr. Ramadan sells clothing geared at young people and at the end of the month he will debut African clothing from Ghana.

For more information about Rubber Tree Market or to become a vendor, contact the Bermuda Small Business Development Corporation.