Small Business Development Centre - SBDC, Saint Lucia

Please see details of Request for Quotations below.

B2B Connection

The Small Business Development Centre - SBDC, Saint Lucia presents a Business-to-Business Connection with Real 3-D Printing on Wednesday 28th September 2022 at 10:00 a.m. via zoom.

Come get information on how Real 3-D Printing's services can assist your business.

B2B Connection

The Small Business Development Centre - SBDC, Saint Lucia presents a Business-to-Business Connection with Real 3-D Printing on Wednesday 28th September 2022 at 10:00 a.m. via zoom.

Come get information on how Real 3-D Printing services can assist your business.

Business Forum in Gros Islet

The Ministry of Commerce in partnership with various Government agencies would like to invite all business persons and entrepreneurs from the community of Gros Islet to a Business Forum scheduled for Sunday, 14th August 2022 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Vladimir Lucien Theatre, Gros Islet Human Resource Centre.

Engage and network with business development professionals. learn about key business support services available to you.

St. Lucia Business Forum - "Building a Resilient National"

Happy MSME DAY

Press Release

MICRO, SMALL, AND MEDIUM-SIZED ENTERPRISES (MSME) DAY

“Resilience and Rebuilding: MSMEs for Sustainable Development”
On April 6, 2017; the United Nations (UN) Assembly adopted a resolution Number (A/RES71/279) declaring 27th June as Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Day. This was done to raise awareness of the tremendous contributions of Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) and to commemorate their contribution to sustainable development and the global economy.

This year’s theme, “Resilience and Rebuilding: MSMEs for Sustainable Development” speaks to the strengthening of policies aimed at assisting MSMEs in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, global conflicts and supply chain issues. It recognizes that MSME’s have made the bold choices to put their enterprise on a path to a greener, more resilient, more inclusive, and more sustainable recovery. In this regard, the Ministry of Commerce, Manufacturing, Business Development, Cooperatives and Consumer Affairs salute you, our MSMEs!

The Ministry of Commerce, Manufacturing, Business Development, Cooperatives and Consumer Affairs not only salutes your rebuilding efforts towards sustainable recovery, but also continues to provide the support necessary to help fuel your ambitions and innovations. Further, the Small Business Development Centre (SBDC) continues to serve a hub for the growth and development of MSMEs through a suite of training programmes and technical support services.

As we celebrate MSME Day today, we urge citizens to reflect on the importance of supporting local businesses, particularly at this rebuilding juncture. In order for a real sustainable economic recovery to take place nationally, it must first start with each of us supporting the MSMEs within our communities. Further, every dollar that is spent on locally manufactured goods and services, is an investment into our economy and into the development of our beautiful Fair Helen.

HAPPY MSME DAY ALL!

Invitation to World MSME Day Lunch Time Chat

The Association of Caribbean States (ACS), through its Directorate for Trade and Sustainable Development, in collaboration with the Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) and the University of the West Indies (UWI) Shridath Ramphal Centre (SRC), is hosting a virtual Lunch Time Chat in observance of World MSME Day 2022 on Monday June 27th, 2022 from 12:00pm to 1:15pm (AST). Under the theme ‘Celebrating the Power of Small’, the webinar will promote greater awareness of how important MSMEs are to communities and economies of the Greater Caribbean. The webinar will also be broadcasted in the ACS’ three official languages.


Join by utilising the following link: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_eKb_gb21Rg6egBBJPf3Pzw.

Business Forum in Soufriere

The Ministry of Commerce in partnership with various Government agencies would like to invite all business persons and entrepreneurs of Soufriere to a Business Forum scheduled for Sunday, 29th May 2022 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the St. Isidore’s Hall.

Come get the information required for you to improve and develop your business.

Business Forum - Soufriere

The Ministry of Commerce, Manufacturing, Business Development, Cooperatives and Consumer Affairs is embarking on a sensitization Business Forum drive throughout the various communities on island. The first Forum is scheduled totake place at St. Isidore’s Hall, Boulevard Street, Soufriere on Sunday, May29, 2022 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The Business Forum will focus on the support services and programmes offered by various Ministries and Business Support Organizations on island. The Forum would enable owners of Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) and aspiring entrepreneurs to receive information that may facilitate the growth/
development of their enterprise. Participating agencies include: Export Saint Lucia; Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Rural Development; Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Youth Economy; Ministry of Tourism, Investment, Creative Industries, Culture and Information; and the Saint Lucia Bureau of Standards (SLBS).

If you are a business owner, manager, entrepreneur, or are aspiring to be one, this event is designed specifically for you. Come, engage and network with key business development professionals. Learn about upcoming funding initiatives. This is your opportunity to Engage for Growth!! For further information, please contact Ms Naila Sule, Business Development Officer, at 468-4248/4223 or 285-5118.

Are you a producer of value added sea moss products? Join Export Saint Lucia on Thursday for a very important in-person stakeholder consultation.

Register using this link: https://forms.gle/3doW3bYK3SooekAM8

Get ready for the EU market | | Caribbean Export Caribbean Export is the only regional trade and investment promotion agency in the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) group. We were established in 1996 by an Inter-Governmental Agreement as the trade promotion Agency of the 15 Member States of CARIFORUM.

Department of Sustainable Development presents:

Love Letter to the Environment Contest

NEW LINK!! Join the Regional Business Plan Launch Event TOMORROW, Jan 25th at 10AM AST!

PLEASE USE THIS NEW LINK!!

Join Zoom Meeting
https://uwi.zoom.us/j/94801021041?pwd=d3p4dEgzYlBBY3Q1aFd6MkxCQnlBdz09

Join us for the Launch of the Regional Business Plan Competition!!
January 25th - Learn More: https://www.open.uwi.edu/compete-caribbean

Register: Join Zoom Meeting
https://uwi.zoom.us/j/94801021041?pwd=d3p4dEgzYlBBY3Q1aFd6MkxCQnlBdz09

Saint Lucia Taiwan Partnership Tradeshow 2021 - Prize Winners

In light of the increasing COVID-19 infection rate, the Ministry of Commerce regrets to inform of the cancellation of the prize giving ceremony for the 14th Annual Saint Lucia Taiwan Partnership Tradeshow.

Instead, the Ministry invites winners to collect their prizes at the Ministry of Commerce’s office, 4th Floor Heraldine Rock Building, Waterfront, Castries from 10 am, Friday, 14 January 2021.

For more information on the collection of prizes, please contact Ms Cindy Eugene @ 468-4218 or 285-1166 or email [email protected].

PRESS RELEASE

BUSINESS FORUM - YOUTH EMPOWERMENT INITIATIVE

Castries, January 8th, 2022; On Wednesday, January 5th, 2022, the Ministry of Commerce, Manufacturing, Business Development, Cooperatives and Consumer Affairs, in collaboration with the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College (SALCC) and the Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) in Saint Lucia, hosted a Business Forum for women and young entrepreneurs. The purpose of this event was to apprise persons of the project aimed at boosting Saint Lucia’s economic recovery through vocational skills training. Approximately five hundred and eighty (580) individuals registered for this forum, of which three hundred and nineteen (319) participated.

The Minister responsible for Commerce, Honourable Emma Hippolyte, in her address to the participants informed them that this initiative will place a lot of emphasis on the growth and development of the youth and women to ensure that both groups contribute to and benefit from the economic recovery. Minister Hippolyte further encouraged both youth and women to make full use of this opportunity so that they could become self-reliant and independent.

The Ambassador His Excellency Peter Chen of the Republic of China (Taiwan) in his remarks solidified his government’s commitment to the youth and people of Saint Lucia. He indicated that the program entails technical assistance for youth and women’s employment, entrepreneurship and financial assistance, which is geared toward empowering the target beneficiaries.

The Honourable Dr. Virginia Poyote, Minister for Gender Affairs, congratulated her colleague Minister for this noble initiative especially at a time when women are at the forefront in society. In addition, their full and equal participation in all facets of society is integral. The Minister for Gender Affairs continued by stating that the pandemic affects mostly women and girls and implored participants to make great use of their skills and hobbies, so they can convert them into meaningful employment.

The team from Sir Arthur Lewis Community College stated that the programme would allow participants the opportunity to learn from a structured, certified adult learning programme, which includes entrepreneurial development training and an incubator programme to support start-up enterprises/MSMEs. There is also post training, start-up mentorship and counselling prospect. The programme will cover areas such as Hospitality, Health Aide, Digital and Creative Entrepreneurship, and Early Childhood Development.

After members of the panel presented, participants were invited to question the presenters. Based on the 2-hour discussion which ensued between the participants and the panellists, it was clear that the forum was well-received by the participants. The Ministry of Commerce now invites all interested persons to register for the programme at the following: SALCC’s website for the Upskilling Academy for Youth and Women: https://upskilling.salcc.edu.lc/
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JENNES | Upskilling Academy for Youth and Women Upskilling Academy for Youth and Women Entrepreneurship and Financial Inclusion Programme

Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: Business Forum - Youth and Women Entrepreneurship Project. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting. Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: Business Forum - Youth and Women Entrepreneurship Project. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting.

One Community One Product (OCOP) Ministry of Commerce in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is currently undertaking a pilot project called the One Village One Product (OVOP) in three communities in Saint Lucia. In an effort to provide more communities with an opp...

PRESS RELEASE

BUSINESS FORUM - YOUTH EMPOWERMENT INITIATIVE

Castries, December 28th, 2021; The Ministry of Commerce, Manufacturing, Business Development, Cooperatives and Consumer Affairs, in collaboration with the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College (SALCC) – Upskilling Academy, will be hosting a Business Forum on Wednesday, January 5th, 2022 at 9:30 am for Women and Young Entrepreneurs. This event is for persons interested in participating in the Incubator Programme for Start-up Entrepreneurs, the second phase of the recently launched Taiwanese-funded project, “Technical Assistance for Youth Employment, Entrepreneurship and Financial Inclusion”.

This phase, which is expected to begin on February 1st, 2022, offers an avenue for over 300 individuals - owners of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) - to receive training, valuable business coaching and financing for their businesses. The Forum will provide information about the project, including the eligibility criteria and support for the successful candidates, among other things.

To register in advance for the event, persons should use the following link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMsde2gqzIpH9etTK6yt-UL1qmUgPfFQR01

Upon registering, persons will receive the meeting link to attend the Business Forum.

The Ministry of Commerce encourages women and young business owners island wide to seize this opportunity to develop or hone their skills and qualify for financing to enhance their business’ performance. The initiative is designed to reduce unemployment and stimulate the economy, through the empowerment of our youth and women.

For more information, please contact Mrs. Barbara Innocent-Charles, the Director of the Small Business Development Centre (SBDC) at 468-4218 / 468-4223.

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Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: Business Forum - Youth Entrepreneurship Project. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting. Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: Business Forum - Youth Entrepreneurship Project. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting.

Several of Export Saint Lucia’s clients recently made a clean sweep at the Saint Lucia Manufacturers Association awards.

Congratulations to you all: Baron Foods Ltd, Abby’s Exotic Blends, Harris Paints, St. Lucia Distillers, Natmed, Caribbean Awnings, Top Stone Fabrication, St. Lucia Linen, Regodolls Spice, Ms St Rose Creole Delight

Export Saint Lucia continues to support your growth.

14th Annual Saint Lucia-Taiwan Partnership Trade Show

The Ministry of Commerce, Manufacturing, Business Development, Cooperatives and Consumer Affairs in partnership with the Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) will proudly host the 14th Annual Saint Lucia-Taiwan Partnership Trade Show at Gros Islet Human Resource Development Centre, from November 26th to 27th, 2021 under the theme “Propelling Business Development through Technology”. This year the trade show will be like no other as it will take place not only at the physical location but also virtually via https://14thannual.saintluciataiwan.org/, thus allowing the wider international trading community and the diaspora to view quality and authentic goods and services of Saint Lucia and Taiwan.

As the Government continues to institute policies to help rebuild our economy and strengthen our private sector amid the impact of the pandemic, it is of importance that our businesses are given avenues to expose their goods and services to potential buyers and investors. To this end, the Ministry of Commerce wishes to invite Saint Lucians here and abroad, potential buyers and investors to attend the 14th Annual Saint Lucia-Taiwan Partnership Trade Show.
For further information on the Trade Show, please visit https://14thannual.saintluciataiwan.org/.

Business Month 2021

Updated Calendar for the Month

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.

- OPPORTUNITY ALERT -

The Caribbean Export Development Agency will host a sensitisation training workshop on their Direct Support Grants Programme on Thursday, November 11th from 10 am to 12 pm.

If you are a business owner in need of grant support, this i sa perfect opportunity to find out what is available to you.

Click the link below to register. This is a virtual event.
https://www.carib-export.com/event/dsgp-nov11/