A SOON-to-be-launched collaboration between small business owners could prove just the shot in the arm the community needs for greater entrepreneurial development.

Although it is still in its infancy, members of the non-political association hope that it will provide potential entrepreneurs with invaluable advice as they set up their companies, and financial assistance as they move forward, according to Andre Hubbard, a member of the executive committee.

"What it is, is an absolutely non-political organisation that will hopefully not only be a think-tank but a pro-active group," he said. "It will hopefully engage in constructive lobbying to effect positive change for the betterment of small businesses, create a greater level of equality within the market for small businesses and again, hopefully, develop a greater sort of cohesiveness between large businesses and small businesses.

"One of the primary issues for small businesses in Bermuda is that they're undercapitalised right from the beginning. We hope to go as far as to look at designing some sort of venture capital scheme purely dedicated to small businesses with an investment from (existing) small businesses and big businesses that will help (them) to start.

"But this association is not driven as to be a handout. It's not a charity. It will be a mechanism, hopefully, which small businesses can use to create sustainable development and growth here in Bermuda."

The owner of a small business himself - Mr. Hubbard runs a cabinet-making company - he said the idea for the association came through discussions with his good friend and colleague Keitha Lowe of Atlantic Upholstery.

"As our socio-economic infrastructure here is largely driven by small businesses we decided it was an area we could use as a launching pad to touch on many of the different issues that affect us both financially and from a sociological standpoint.

"What we're engaging in is a process to develop an association that is purely dedicated to the development of small businesses with the hope of engaging them in greater synergies with big business.

"Small businesses, to me, make up the largest portion of our middle class - the largest section of our society - which I think is the area that's greatest affected by fluctuations in our economy.

"(The association will be) totally reliant on the investment of small businesses in their future. So often the case is that small businesses have looked to governments to bring about change.

"Who knows what you need better than you? Too often is the case that Bermudians have this propensity to sit on the wall and bleat and are not out to get themselves involved in effecting change. Our executive body - and selected other businesses - have met with the different Government camps.

"We met with (representatives of) the Opposition and also the Government of today with the hope that we can give constructive input on where changes need to happen, but the success of this will be totally dependent upon Bermudians."

It was hoped, said Mr. Hubbard, that the association could act as a voice for small businesses in the community.

"We need a mechanism and a forum from which we can bestow, or through which we can disseminate, accurate information on what is happening; about the pros and cons of those different things that affect small businesses.

"Right now, it's in its infancy, it's in its inception, but it is coming. We're about to launch it within the next two to three weeks to the general public, but we have a tremendous following already. In essence, it's already formed."