The Government of Saint Lucia’s Trade Export Promotion Agency, Export Saint Lucia, is currently conducting one of its biggest trade missions to date within the isles of Grenada and St. Vincent.

The mission which runs from March 9th to 13th is as a direct result of two in-market research missions conducted in 2019. The findings highlighted specific opportunities for Saint Lucian products and services, thus the mission seeks to take advantage of these opportunities and also Article 164 of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas (RTC), which seeks to promote industrial development in the Less Developed Countries (LDCs) of CARICOM including Saint Lucia. It provides a regime of support to eligible goods produced in LDCs on a temporary basis to help boost their competitiveness and their level of participation in intra-regional trade in the CSME.

Ms. Sunita Daniel, CEO of Export Saint Lucia said, “CARICOM on a whole has long been an invaluable trade partner for Saint Lucia. Even more so have been the OECS and our Windward Island sisters.” She also said, “the main objectives of the mission are to further solidify trade partnerships with regional buyers and to explore new opportunities for Saint Lucian products and services that have not yet been introduced to these markets.”

The mission comprises of 13 companies, namely Caribbean Awning Production Company Limited, Frootsy Foods Ltd., Tolyn manufacturers Ltd., Saint Lucia Distillers, Windward & Leeward Brewery, Tenderoni Ltd., H&L Environmental Services, Caribbean Metals Ltd., Natmed Ltd., Antillia Brewing, Abby’s Exotic Blends, Shop D Caribbean and Cotch Jewelry. The contingent is scheduled to have meetings with partners, potential buyers, and government officials.

Through this mission, it is anticipated that the participating companies would have a hands-on promotional impact on the market, would gain access to high-level buyers, as well as gather a greater sense of the conditions that exist in these regional markets.

Export promotion remains one of the primary functions of Export Saint Lucia. While there are various promotional tools available to increase exports, trade missions remain one of the most efficient, primarily because it brings together entrepreneurs and suppliers to forge partnerships and also gives manufacturers and service providers a direct experience with companies’ processes and business culture.

Furthermore, trade missions present networking opportunities, which can result in fruitful partnerships and trade deals, yielding business opportunities even months or years after the initial mission. Export Saint Lucia continues to chart the path and navigate the waters leading to export development and economic growth for the benefit of our island and region.