The National Export Council Secretariat (NECS) and the Dominica Export Import Agency (DEXIA) partnered with the Diaspora Office of Dominica in St. Thomas to facilitate Dominica’s participation at Agrifest 2012 held in St. Croix, US Virgin Islands.
The 41st Annual Agriculture and Food Fair (Agrifest) 2012 ran from February 18th to 20th of 2012, under the theme “Youth in Agriculture – Growing our Future” at the Rudolph Shulterbrandt Agriculture Complex in St. Croix.
This Agriculture and Food Fair is the largest agricultural exposition in the US Virgin Islands with over 30,000 visitors and regional participants coming from several island nations including BVI, Puerto Rico, St. Kitts & Nevis, Guyana and St. Lucia.
NECS and DEXIA facilitated Dominica’s participation by collating exhibits such as fresh produce, agro-processed products and crafts grown and manufactured in Dominica for showcasing in two booths at Agrifest 2012 as well as a member of the Dominica Carib Craft Producers Association. Two Dominicans residing in St. Thomas, namely Loreen Bannis-Roberts and Andrea Shillingford represented Dominica at the Fair.
Dominica’s participation in Agrifest 2012 served as a precursor towards analyzing the environment of the USVI territory as it relates to the establishment of a central distribution hub for Dominican products in St. Thomas aimed at servicing the rest of the USVI islands and possibly the British Virgin Islands.
Participation in Agrifest 2012 also provided an avenue to –
• Showcase an assortment of export ready products grown and manufactured in Dominica to potential buyers;
• Identify and establish links/contacts with potential buyers of Agricultural products and Crafts in St. Croix and the USVI for possible sales agreements;
• Assess the market potential of St. Croix for agricultural and manufactured products and identify market opportunities in the USVI territories;
• Gather information in St. Croix on behalf of the National Export Council Secretariat and DEXIA and most importantly for the representatives to identify networking opportunities for twinning exporters in Dominica to buyers attending the show.
more talk shop
no negotiations and consultation with key stateholders
win lose draw we are not respected at all
our youths have been systematicallly marginalised yet the talk shop continues and high unemployment
A good thing i have a job were it not for that my family and I would starve to death
how many groups in the farming/banana belt was/were spoken to or invited?
its a blasted shame shame and more shame
but if LABOUR domnicans love
Can you tell us where in St.Thomas that Office for Diaspora Affairs is located?
I stopped by the booth int he farmer’s market. It was very well set up and the produce was fantastic. Kudos to all.
VERY GOOD JOB .FANTASTIC .BUT LET US NOT FORGET THE REAL WORK COMES AFTER THE SHOW .NOW WE NEED TO SELL !SELL! SELL!TOO MANY TIMES AFTER THE EXIBITION NOTHING HAPPENS .WE NEED TO FOLLOW UP ON THIS GREAT CHANCE TO IMPROVE OUR AGRICULTURAL EXPORTS
All the best to the organizations who initiated Dominica’s participation at this event. We need to continue to take advantage of such opportunities to showcase what we produce. Our country needs to export more.
Good Going!