Activities in observance of the third annual Business Month got underway on Nov. 2, and will continue throughout the month of November under the theme “Promoting an Entrepreneurial Culture, Innovation and Creativity.”
Business Month is spearheaded by the Department of Commerce, International Trade, Investment, Enterprise Development and Consumer Affairs in partnership with the private sector.
During the launch of the 2017 Business Month on Nov. 1, the department unveiled a slew of activities with the overall objective of cultivating a strong and sustainable entrepreneurial spirit in Saint Lucia. Activities began with an information workshop on Nov. 2 for exhibitors of the upcoming tenth annual Saint Lucia-Taiwan Partnership Trade Show. This week, the Saint Lucia Coalition of Industries will host the Export Development Training Program series dubbed, “Services Go Global,” from Nov. 6 – 9.
Lydia Dariah, Information Officer in the Department of Commerce, International Trade, Investment, Enterprise Development and Consumer Affairs, said: “This training is offered to service providers to develop their export readiness for the regional and international markets. During this training the Department of Commerce will commence training of the first cohort of the Computerized Management Accounting Systems program – Quick Books, for micro, small and medium enterprises. This training will be delivered in partnership with the CDB, Caribbean Technological Consultancy Services, and will include hands-on training to assist businesses in understanding various financial reports and information generated in the use of Quick Books.”
The Saint Lucia Manufacturers Association is one of the collaborators of Business Month. Executive Director of the Association, Paula James, has made a plea on behalf of young business aspirants to be considered during the month-long business month observance.
“Their passion and interest in their particular area are very much evident and alive because we see them from day to day coming to the association for guidance on where to start, where to go, what to do. So as we focus on Business Month I do hope that they will find a way to gather information and for us to help them start their own business, and for someone to hold their hand to guide them in the right direction. I would say to the youth that the sky is the limit – do not give up.”
Among the several activities coming up for Business Month is a symposium for medium, small and micro enterprises on Nov. 8, a presentation on standards in soap manufacturing for soap manufacturers, on Nov. 18, and an inter-secondary school discourse on Nov. 23 entitled “A Peace Building Commonwealth for Our Business Community” to be hosted by the Commonwealth Youth Peace Ambassadors Network.”
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