The Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) and Ministry of Commerce, Manufacturing, Business Development, Cooperatives and Consumer Affairs hosted yet another successful Saint Lucia-Taiwan Partnership Trade Exhibition from November 2-4, 2022.
Held at Harbor Club, Rodney Bay, Gros Islet, under the theme “Forging Strong Ties Through Sustainable Trade”, this year’s trade exhibition featured 25 Taiwanese companies and 27 Saint Lucian companies.
The opening ceremony last Wednesday morning was attended by many, including His Excellency Cyril Charles, Acting Governor General, and Mrs. Charles; Mrs. Chen; Prime Minister Hon. Philip J. Pierre; various Government Ministers; Hon. Claudius Francis, Speaker of the Saint Lucia House of Assembly; Senator Alvina Reynolds; Hon. Allen Chastanet, Leader of the Opposition; Permanent Secretaries; other Government officials, and members from the business sector.
In his remarks, His Excellency Peter Chia-yen Chen, Taiwan’s Ambassador to Saint Lucia, said the annual trade exhibition is a great opportunity for Saint Lucian and Taiwanese companies to showcase their goods and services to potential local and international buyers. He stated that interest in participation in the trade exhibition continues to grow, making it one of the best venues for introducing the best quality products from Saint Lucian and Taiwanese MSMEs.
Ambassador Chen said many of the Taiwanese companies that showcased products in the Taiwan Pavillion at the trade exhibition demonstrated Taiwan’s commitment to lessening its reliance on fossil.
“Taiwan’s major ICT enterprises have committed to using 100% renewable electricity by 2050, including some of the companies showcasing their products in the Taiwan Pavillion,” Ambassador Chen said. “As Taiwan’s total trade value ranked 16th in the world, and its ICT industry plays a crucial role in global technology supply chains, Taiwan’s ICT products contribute greatly to the sustainable trade and fulfils their net-zero vision initiative by the UNFCCC.”
Ambassador Chen thanked Hon. Hippolyte and her Commerce Ministry team whom, he said, were very efficient and responsive during the planning and execution phases of this year’s trade exhibition.
Prime Minister Hon. Philip J. Pierre thanked the Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) and the Ministry of Commerce, Manufacturing, Business Development, Cooperatives and Consumer Affairs, for continuing to sponsor the annual trade exhibition. He said Taiwan continues to be a friend of Saint Lucia, through their unwavering development support. Through initiatives like the trade exhibition, Hon. Pierre said, business in Saint Lucia is alive and well.
“I see a new spirit for business development in Saint Lucia,” Hon. Pierre said in his feature remarks. “I see excitement, I see drive. I see business-people willing to make use of the incentives provided by the Government. I want to congratulate all the small and medium-sized businesses in Saint Lucia. I think they deserve a round of applause for their perseverance and commitment.”
Meanwhile, Hon. Emma Hippolyte, Minister of Commerce, Manufacturing, Business Development, Cooperatives and Consumer Affairs, said the annual tradeshow “serves as an endearing symbol of solidarity and cooperation between Taiwan and Saint Lucia.”
“I place significance on the fact that the event has emerged through the doldrums of COVID-19 and continues to create opportunities for collaboration between Taiwanese and Saint Lucian entrepreneurs,” Hon. Hippolyte said in her welcome remarks. “May this also serve as a good omen for the bond between our two nations: that despite the challenges, trials and tribulations that may lie ahead, so, too, will remain steadfast, one to the other, two nations on opposite sides of the globe.”
Hon. Hippolyte said the participating businesses are ideal examples of perseverance, ingenuity and zeal that define Saint Lucia’s commercial landscape. She welcomed the Taiwanese exhibitors, adding that their willingness to share their products and services in the local market was commendable. Hon. Hippolyte noted that the theme for this year’s Trade Exhibition underscores the values shared by Taiwan and Saint Lucia, which have resulted in a deep sense of mutual trust between both countries.
“There is a saying that people do business with who they trust. I think after so many years of sterling collaborative efforts on the part of the Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan), it is safe to say that these are persons we can trust. In this regard, I note also the trust placed in our Taiwanese counterparts by our business community, through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Taiwan External Trade Development Council, on one hand, and some of our leading private sector organizations, on the other, as represented by the Saint Lucia Chamber of Commerce and the Saint Lucia Manufacturers Association,” Hon. Hippolyte explained.
Ambassador Chen joined His Excellency Cyril Charles, Acting Governor General; Prime Minister Hon. Philip J. Pierre; and Hon. Emma Hippolyte for the ribbon cutting ceremony at last Wednesday’s opening of the trade exhibition.
Following the official opening ceremony, Ambassador Chen joined His Excellency Cyril Charles, Acting Governor General, and Mrs. Charles, Prime Minister Hon. Philip J. Pierre. Hon. Emma Hippolyte, and other Government officials on a tour of the booths, where they conversed with the exhibitors.
Visitors to this year’s trade exhibition got to experience several exciting activities, including the “CaribAsian Experience by Chef Orlando”, “Taiwan Make-Up Artist Show”, lucky drawings, and more.