NOVEMBER is officially designated as business Month, and the Ministry of Commerce and Business Development is working hard to develop the island’s commercial landscape into one that is strong and viable.
Commerce Minister Emma Hippolyte stated that the department hosted a number of significant events throughout the month.
Notably, a Business Mixer was held in Vieux Fort on Thursday, encouraging small business owners to participate and focus on tangible steps to boost the small business sector.
In addition, the Ministry of Commerce facilitated a programme named Financial Literacy School Outreach – Micro Business Game Workshops. The ministry collaborated with the Saint Lucia Hospitality and Tourism Association (SLHTA) to hold two workshops to teach senior secondary school students in Forms 4 and 5 about entrepreneurship and financial literacy.
These workshops, known as Know Your Numbers through the Micro Business Game (MBG), taught participants how to handle and document their business’s finances using an interactive board game that simulates small business operations. This effort is intended to improve students’ awareness of financial management as a critical component of good business operations while also honing their decision-making abilities.
Furthermore, the workshops demonstrate the Ministry of Commerce’s dedication to youth development through its summer internship programme, the Small Business Development Centre Young Entrepreneurs in Action (SBDC YEA!) Programme.
During the workshops, students addressed the following key topics: – Mastery of the board-based business simulation, Micro Business Game, and its elements.
– Essential entrepreneurial skills relevant to micro and small businesses, as well as startups.
– Fundamental record-keeping techniques , as well as practical application of financial tools.
– Understanding of market dynamics and competitiveness.
– Examining the interaction between financial institutions and customers, concentrating on crucial implications.
Ten students from each of the six secondary schools were individually targeted. The initiative will end on November 5.
In addition, Minister Hippolyte addressed serious concerns in the Coconut Industry, indicating that key discussions with stakeholders, including cooperatives, had occurred.
She underlined that most production is now focused on jelly coconut production, noting, “There is insufficient focus on developing the nut into copra and, subsequently, oil.”
Hippolyte went on to say that discussions have focused on the hygienic presentation of coconuts and coconut water, citing concerns made by Central Castries MP Richard Frederick over product display and sales techniques.
“The entire situation demands our attention as it pertains to the vendors who are diligently providing services to consumers,” she stated.
The minister highlighted the necessity for thorough cleaning of coconuts, elevating them during display, and ensuring equipment—such as cutlasses—meet hygiene standards.
Hippolyte also pointed out the need for improved methods of extracting jelly, insisting, “These are critical areas that require immediate focus.”
On a broader scale, she addressed the challenges faced by the Soufriere factory, which historically produced soap and oil but now struggles with economic viability and production output.
She stated, “While an operator previously produced oil on a minimal scale, production has ceased. Currently, an individual at the factory is only manufacturing soap and packaging materials, like disposable food containers and plastic bottles, with little to no oil production.”
Regarding the factory’s overall operations, the minister declared that the government is actively seeking to optimize the use of the entire copra facility and the surrounding land.
The Soufriere MP added, “This matter is under thorough review, and upon developing a solid plan, we will engage with the people of Soufriere first.”
[ By Reginald Andrew]
This post was originally published on here
