The Government of Saint Lucia, earlier this month, through the island’s leading export agency -Export Saint Lucia (ESL), opened the Taste of Saint Lucia™ store at Pointe Seraphine, with an official ribbon-cutting ceremony.
This retail location is the first of its kind and is intended to be a one-stop shop for authentic Saint Lucian products. Subsequently, when the shop opened for business this month, five products from 34 local enterprises including agro-processors, designers, crafters, and authors were available for purchase.
Speaking at the media launch event, ESL’s Chief Executive Officer Sunita Daniel said, “This is fulfilling as we are aware that all thirty-four producers would not be able to afford a space on their own. This store is the tangible representation of the brand, Taste of Saint Lucia™.
“What will ensure its success is hard work, authenticity and excellence that epitomizes exactly what we are selling to the world – just a little taste of Saint Lucia.”
The Taste of Saint Lucia™ shop at Pointe Seraphine was opened in partnership with Invest Saint Lucia (ISL) whose CEO Octavian Charles recognised the wide variety of items at the store.
He noted: “Invest Saint Lucia is pleased that our Duty-Free Pointe Seraphine Shopping Complex can provide a home for Taste of Saint Lucia™. The principal role of Pointe Seraphine is to provide shopping for all your senses and the Taste of Saint Lucia™ store will achieve this by offering visitors and locals the ultimate taste of our island.”
Minister for Commerce, Manufacturing, and Business Development, Emma Hippolyte commended the producers stocked on the Taste of Saint Lucia™ shelves and encouraged them to continue to excel.
The minister stated: “This Taste of Saint Lucia™ shop is an opportunity for you to build your name and your brand, and to have your product enjoyed by hundreds, if not thousands of new customers. I hope that as a small business, you truly understand the value of this new journey that you have embarked on with Export Saint Lucia as your guide.”
Minister for Tourism, Dr. Ernest Hilaire also attended the function. While noting that the opening of this store is a significant achievement, he added, “Economies grow when you export, and in this case, the very economic viability of Saint Lucia rests upon the successes of the manufacturers gathered here, and the efforts of Export Saint Lucia. We must transform our economy into one that is export-oriented. ”
New products are expected to be introduced to the store in the coming weeks, and a rotation system during the cruise system will be implemented. Both visitors and locals are encouraged to visit the Taste of Saint Lucia™ store and support local businesses.