The Ministry of Commerce, Manufacturing, Business Development, Cooperatives and Consumer Affairs is all geared up for the observance of Business Month from November 1^st to 30^th 2021 under the theme “Propelling Business Development Through Technology”.  Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Commerce, Sophia Henry noted that despite the devastating impact the Covid 19 pandemic has had on all aspects of business activity, opportunities for building resilience while improving the productivity of businesses must be highlighted.   

“Many of our businesses have suffered reduced sales, losses even closure and they have been forced to adopt more creative, innovative ICT tools and we believe that advanced technology is our businesses fighting chance during the Covid era and to ensure sustainability post-Covid. Hence the reason this year, Business Month, we are focusing on the theme, 'Propelling business development through technology.”

The activities for Business Month commence on November 1^st with an address by the Commerce Minister, Hon. Emma Hippolyte which will be aired on NTN and posted on social media.  The Ministry has also planned several capacity-building workshops targeting existing and new entrepreneurs.

“The first is from the 3^rd to the 5^th of November that’s our Lean Canvas Business Model, it’s a business planning workshop and during that workshop the participants will be given a template and we will assist them to complete a business plan in a format that can be submitted to a financial institution or any other stakeholder. During the week of November 8^th to the 14^th is Global Entrepreneurship Week. Global Entrepreneurship Week will be spearheaded by the Saint Lucia Chamber of Commerce and Industry, however, on the 10^th of November there will be a business resource symposium and the Ministry of Commerce will be making a presentation during that symposium whereby we will be informing the general public of all the resources that are available to businesses through the Ministry.”

She added that a Business Startup Essentials Workshop is slated for November 17^th while the Ministry will host a workshop entitled, Design Thinking to Develop a Business, from November 18^th to the 3oth. This workshop is geared at creative young persons with business ideas to think outside the box.

“It’s a nine-day workshop but 9 half days and so again we are appealing to our young people to take advantage, to contact us and to register for these workshops.”

The Commerce P.S. emphasized that a deliberate focus being placed on the Youth Economy by the Ministry of Commerce.

“The Ministry of Commerce will be there to support because we want to ensure that our young people don’t just see themselves as employees but as entrepreneurs because they are intelligent, they are creative and they just need that opportunity for them to startup a business. And, they will get that assistance at the Ministry of Commerce. So, yes, the Youth Economy will be spearheaded by the Ministry of Finance but the Ministry of Commerce will be working collaboratively with the Ministry of Finance to provide that support to the youth so that they can startup their businesses.”

The Saint Lucia Taiwan Partnership Trade Show will be held on November 26^th and 27^th utilizing both a virtual and physical presence at the Gros Islet Human Resource Centre.  The full calendar of activities for Business Month can be accessed by visiting sedusaintlucia’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/sedusaintlucia).

For further information on this initiative, please contact Business Development Officers, Mrs. Ruthanne Carasco-Phillip at 468-4247/285-5356 or Mrs. Leander Calixte-Jn. Baptiste at 468-4222/285-3436.