Yorkshire, England: The Saint Lucia Trade Export Promotion Agency (TEPA) in collaboration with the British-Caribbean Chamber of Commerce Saint Lucia (BCCC) and Drewtons Estate and Farm Shop hosted a Saint Lucian Themed Dinner and Saint Lucian Day (product exhibition and sampling) during the October 7-8 weekend to promote St Lucian products and services within the UK market.
Proprietor of Drewtons Estate and Farm Shop, Katie Taylor and General Manager, Hellen Dimmock, have been working with TEPA to host these activities.
The purpose of the events were to explore new avenues for expanding Saint Lucia exports to the UK and specifically to bring together potential buyers and Drewtons Farm Shop customers to sample the products and interact with TEPA officials and suppliers
The dinner was hosted by Lord Howard, Hon. Patron of the British Caribbean Chamber of Commerce and specially invited guests included Dominic Fedee, Saint Lucia’s Minister for Tourism the Lord Lieutenant of the East Riding of Yorkshire, Mrs. Susan Cunliffe-Lister, Yorkshire cricket legend, Geoffrey Boycott, and BCCC Saint Lucia President, John Kennedy.
Guests were treated to a sumptuous infusion of Saint Lucian and Yorkshire-flavoured dishes at a dinner event dubbed “A Taste of Saint Lucia and the Best of Yorkshire” and were entertained by the sweet sounds of steel pan.
Mrs. Pauline Wade, Deputy Chief Executive of BCCC and Mrs. Jacqueline Emmanuel-Flood, CEO of TEPA, together with Ms. Andrena Simon, Promotion & Marketing Officer, were on hand over the two days of events to network with the guests and potential buyers.
Mr. Albert Fregis, Charge d’Affaires, High Commission of Saint Lucia and Atlyn Forde, Director of Marketing – (UK-Europe), Saint Lucia Tourist Board who have been supporting TEPA’s ongoing activities in the UK market, were also in attendance. Mrs. Gizelle Fleischhacker of Vikings Traders Ltd was on hand to provide details on some of the products that were showcased.
TEPA and the BCCC have signed an MOU expressing their commitment to seek opportunities to increase the export of local products and services to the UK market.