The Caribbean must encourage and support women entrepreneurs. That was the general consensus when Export Caribbean and Export St. Lucia, with the assistance of the Canadian Government, met yesterday at Sandals Halcyon.
The export agencies are aiming to encourage, in this instance, local female entrepreneurs to explore new markets like Canada.
Executive Director of the Caribbean Export Development Agency Dr. Damie Sinanan described the occasion as a landmark event that is being duplicated in other regional territories like Belize, Grenada, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Jamaica. Dr. Sinanan admitted that women face more stumbling blocks in the business world, hence the development and importance of Caribbean Women Entrepreneurs – Generating Resilient and Inclusive Trade (GRIT).
Chief Executive Officer of Export St. Lucia Sunita Daniel was all praise for the initiative. The support from the Canadian Government will make a world of difference in further promoting and highlighting the business of her organization.
Head of Cooperation Eastern Caribbean, High Commission of Canada in Barbados and the OECS Abebech Assefa, described the initiative as a bridge being built between local and international entrepreneurs, a bridge that will cost in excess of $3 million dollars.
Also present at yesterday’s launch was the Minister of Commerce, Manufacturing, Business Development, Cooperatives and Consumer Affairs, Emma Hippolyte. The Minister made sure to point out that the initiative falls in line with her ministry’s planned programs and offered the government’s full support. Minister Hippolyte sort to highlight the point that a major portion of small businesses are established and run by women.  She went on to encourage local women entrepreneurs to take advantage of the opportunities provided through Export Caribbean as well as through the government. She stressed that when female established and female run business are strong, the local economy remains resilient. The local Commerce Minister also has immense praise for Export St. Lucia which is charged with the responsibility to develop export locally.
The event which was streamed live and attended by other local and regional officials, is the first such collaboration in the region.