INVEST Saint Lucia has confirmed its partnership for the staging of Specialty Caribbean EXPO 2017, the upcoming OECS Trade exposition produced by the Saint Lucia Trade Export Promotion Agency (TEPA) in collaboration with the OECS Commission, with title sponsorship by AMERIJET.
Specialty Caribbean Expo 2017 takes place from March 9-12, and will showcase the products and services of over 150 participating exhibitors from the OECS and Martinique.
Invest Saint Lucia is the island’s Investment Promotion Agency (IPA) charged with promoting, stimulating and facilitating investment for the country’s socio-economic development. CEO Mc Hale Andrew cites the partnership with Specialty Caribbean EXPO 2017 as a natural fit, because it supports the “Brand Saint Lucia” initiative which envisages a co-operative approach to marketing the island as a location for investment, doing business and for leisure.
TEPA has also received high commendation from its sister agency, for what Andrew cites as a bold initiative in showcasing the trade and export potential for local and regional manufacturers and service providers. Making note of TEPA’s successful negotiation of a substantial buyer contingent to SCE EXPO 2017 from Canada, Cuba, Martinique, UK and the USA, the IPA’s CEO noted that the presence of those buyers bodes well for improved trading relations.
“We see this as a vital undertaking in penetrating regional and international markets, and in accessing and delivering on the trade opportunities that arise out of the various trade agreements of which Saint Lucia is a signatory.
According to Andrew, manufacturing is one of the sectors of focus for both TEPA and Invest Saint Lucia. As such, his agency sees potential in value addition and downstream activities, as manufacturers that have chosen Saint Lucia as an investment location, can now realise even greater export potential and increased market access penetration, redounding to a win-win for both agencies.
“Moreover, given that Invest Saint Lucia is responsible for promoting Saint Lucia for investments, and TEPA is the national agency responsible for promoting Saint Lucia’s exports, the agencies can realise focused synergies as they both attempt to raise the investment profile and export potential of Saint Lucia”, Andrew concluded.
Saint Lucia Trade Export Promotion Agency (TEPA) is the Saint Lucian Government’s National Trade Export and Promotion Agency, and is the lead agency mandated to spearhead the island’s National Export Development Effort. The overall objective is to increase aggregate volume and value of exports from Saint Lucia. The Trade Export and Promotion Agency (TEPA) will provide a range of information and support to local businesses and international buyers.
Saint Lucia TEPA works to promote and expand business in export markets around the world. We aspire to increase local exports, to assist local businesses improve profitability and long term sustainability, thus making a direct and valuable contribution to the Saint Lucian economy.