The 16th Annual Saint Lucia-Taiwan Partnership Trade Show was a big hit with those who visited the three-day event during the past weekend.
This year’s trade show was held from November 3-5 at The Pavilion near The Ramp at Rodney Bay, and featured 69 Saint Lucian businesses and 16 Taiwanese businesses displaying their products and services. The participants were carefully selected by the Ministry of Commerce and by the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) to showcase their best quality products to potential local and international buyers.
Participating businesses showcased a wide array of products in the following categories: web-based services, robotics, food and beverage, ICT services, energy efficiency, health and beauty, creative arts, and consumer services.
During the official opening on Thursday evening, November 2, 2023, H.E. Peter Chia-Yen Chen, Taiwan’s Ambassador to Saint Lucia, said he hoped this year’s trade show serves as a catalyst for greater economic ties, friendship, and progress between our two countries.
“We are happy to see the trade show expand its scale from 26 booths last year to more than 70 booths this year, including 3 booths to showcase the products of the trainees of the Youth Economy Agency, and 4 Taiwanese companies attending physically,” said Ambassador Chen.
He added: “During the three-day event, B2B meetings will be arranged for potential Saint Lucian buyers or suppliers. By providing broader access for local businesses to engage their international counterparts, we hope to create more successful business deals during the trade show.”
In his feature remarks, Hon. Philip J. Pierre, Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Economic Development and the Youth Economy, also focused his remarks on this year’s trade show theme, saying it reflected “our recognition of the swift pace at which technology and innovation are reshaping the business world.”
“The convergence of artificial intelligence, blockchain, robotics and e-commerce has reshaped our approach to commerce,” said Hon. Pierre. “It is important that we not only recognize this paradigm shift, but actively encourage our business people to embrace these transformative technologies, ensuring that we remain not only domestically competitive, but internationally as well.”
Hon. Pierre added: “The Government has undertaken to strengthen and support the business sector while ushering Saint Lucia into a new era of digital prominence. People-centred initiatives, such as the Youth Economy Agency, the MSME Loan Grant Facility and various ICT and women empowerment projects funded by the OAS and the Government of Taiwan, show our commitment to fostering innovation and the creation of an indigenous and new class of business people to complement and to supplement foreign direct investment for our international partners.”
This year’s trade show was held under the theme, “Sustaining Trade in the Digital Age”. In her remarks, Hon. Emma Hippolyte, Minister for Commerce, Manufacturing, Business Development, Cooperatives and Consumer Affairs, said the theme underscored the perfect opportunity for a more futuristic outlook on business.
“This subject of incorporating technology into our commercial and industrial landscape is one that is dear to me as the Minister with responsibility for Commerce,” she said. “Fittingly, this year’s theme also lends itself to the fact that the Republic of China (Taiwan) is considered a leading digital capital. This industrious nation has long been a hub of innovation and a key player in the global technology supply chain.”
Hon. Hippolyte said Saint Lucia, like most of the developing world, finds itself playing catch up in terms of embracing new technologies and the shift towards e-commerce. The path forward forward for Saint Lucia, she noted, becomes obvious.
“In order to remain internationally competitive, digital transformation is an absolute necessity for us in Saint Lucia,” Hon. Hippolyte stated. “Despite having to overcome various regulator and logistic hurdles, my Ministry advances its march slowly but intently towards a digitally connected private sector. For this reason, I believe there is much to learn from our Taiwanese counterparts and we, therefore, must play the role of willing scholars.”
Apart from the short speeches, there were a few entertainment acts for the official opening, including St. Joseph’s Convent Secondary School who sang Mandarin songs accompanied by the robot dancing. The robots were produced by Taiwanese company, ASUS, and programmed by the St. Mary’s College Robotics Club. There were also a presentation of the Third Prince, a Taiwanese Taoism God, showing off some Caribbean dance moves to symbolize the fusion of Taiwanese and Saint Lucian culture; a skit by Coaks and Company; the exciting Helen Folk Dancers; and Caribbean/Asian Fusion cuisine demonstration by Chef Orlando.
To close the opening ceremony, Ambassador Chen joined Acting Governor General His Excellency Errol Charles, Hon. Pierre, and Hon. Hippolyte in cutting the ceremonial ribbon to officially open the trade show, following which they and other invited guests toured the booths and interacted with the participants.
This year’s trade show featured various interesting components each day, including karaoke, bouncy castle, train rides, face painting, fashion show, free product samples, and giveaways.