The Youth Economy Agency (YEA) has launched a new online platform which aims to be a bridge of opportunity linking the creativity and resilience of Saint Lucian youths with the vast possibilities of the global marketplace.
Through the YEA Marketplace Platform, Youth Economy Agency clients will now have their very own virtual stores, thereby enabling them to showcase their products and services beyond local borders, connecting them with not only customers in Saint Lucia, but also those in the wider world.
The initiative is testament to the ongoing partnership between the Taiwan Technical Mission (TTM) in Saint Lucia and the Youth Economy Agency, under an Agreement that was established on April 3, 2023, in alignment with a Letter of Intent signed between the Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) and the Government of Saint Lucia. Under the project entitled “Assisting Economic Recovery and Empowerment of Youth and Women in Latin America and the Caribbean in the Post-COVID-19 Era – Technical Assistance for Youth and Women Empowerment, Entrepreneurship and Financial Inclusion”, many Saint Lucian entrepreneurs have been able to upskill their businesses through training and grant funding.
During the official launch ceremony for the YEA Marketplace Platform that was held on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, at the Union Orchid Gardens, H.E. Nicole Su, Taiwan’s Ambassador to Saint Lucia, explained that due to changing consumer behaviour in today’s digital-oriented world, e-commerce is the future. She added that the new platform is the first step — and possibly the game-changer — for many micro- and small businesses.
“This Marketplace will provide a virtual space to showcase products and services, facilitate direct communication with customers, and reach out to a wider market out there than ever before,” Ambassador Su said. “With proper utilization of the resources available on this Platform, young entrepreneurs are introduced to the new marketing strategy, which will catalyse greater visibility, sustainable growth, and long-term success in digital economy.”
Ambassador Su said Taiwan was happy to share its digital capacity knowledge to support Saint Lucia’s youth economy to make entrepreneurs more sustainable and competitive: “With the support of the YEA, this project is focused on enhancing digital entrepreneurship skills, and building a strong e-commerce foundation. By cultivating digital capacity of the entrepreneurs, it is hoped that your market access could expand locally, regionally, and eventually globally.”
Ambassador Su congratulated the YEA for inviting 30 entrepreneurs and stores to participate and showcase their products and service on the platform during its pilot stage. Additionally, an expert from Taiwan visited Saint Lucia during the week to work with YEA seed teachers to host training sessions to prepare and facilitate more young entrepreneurs to further utilize the platform.
“We believe in empowerment,” Ambassador Su affirmed. “Through this project, we are making sure that opportunities for start-up entrepreneurs, especially women and youths, are not left behind in this world of digital economy. I wish you great success of this Marketplace Platform. I’d like to reaffirm Taiwan’s commitment to collaborating with the Government and people of Saint Lucia in your efforts of building a robust and sustainable future.”
Mr. Bryan Vidal, Chief Executive Officer of the Youth Economy Agency, the YEA remains committed to not only providing to access to finance and capacity building for Saint Lucian youths, but also to create pathways of opportunities, such as the Marketplace Platform.
“The benefits of an e-commerce platform such as this are significant. It provides businesses with 24/7 accessibility, allowing entrepreneurs to reach customers anytime and anywhere,” he explained. “It lowers barriers to entry by reducing the need for a large physical infrastructure. It allows for wider market research, data-driven insights into customer behaviour, and creates a more level playing field for small businesses to compete globally. Most importantly, it provides youth and women entrepreneurs with the digital tools needed to grow, innovate and thrive in today’s economy.”
Meanwhile, Mr. Thomas Leonce, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Youth Economy Agency, the YEA Marketplace Platform is meant to be an innovative online space designed to enable clients to advertise and sell their goods and services by creating a common space for buyers and sellers.
He said the support from the Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) has been instrumental in the YEA achieving several milestones. For instance, to date, the YEA has issued over 1,500 grants valued at close to EC$8 million, with several hundred applications at various stages in the pipeline.
During the official launch ceremony, Mr. Alvin Wu, Vice-President of TPIsoftware, also made a presentation. He explained that setting up the platform required major resources, including time, expertise, and capital.
Wu said the platform makes browsing and searching effortless for buyers who can explore the full catalogue, request items, and place orders anytime — even outside business hours. In the future, they will also be able to purchase as guests, adding convenience for casual shoppers. For sellers, Wu said the system provides a professional way to showcase products.
In the short-term, Wu said a guest checkout and a business listing page will be rolled out, making the platform more accessible and visible. In the longer term, however, the vision is to integrate a safe payment gateway, enabling buyers to enjoy the total experience of an e-commerce platform.