Director of Trade Wellsworth Bethelmie, has described a special stakeholders meeting of the OECS Export Development Unit (OECS-EDU) in Dominica as a ‘momentous occasion.’
The meeting got underway at the Fort Young Hotel on Wednesday and is part of a regional outreach program which Bethelmie said will help craft a way forward for the EDU.
It was attended by persons involved in a wide cross section of the private sector in Dominica.
“Today’s meeting of stakeholders involved in the work of the OECS- EDU signals a momentous occasion as it brings together local partners and agencies committed to help craft a new development strategy and building on previous success while examining gaps and weaknesses in our previous encounters,” he said.
He noted that working together as small island states is necessary for the overall benefit of all.
“Evidently we as a set of small island states have found it necessary to work together for the collective good of our people and countries,” he pointed out. “We have developed synergies in the areas of trade, foreign relations, education, agriculture, culture, tourism, sports and health services among other areas. That in effect provides us with a framework for a wider market, in this case not just 70,000 but in reality more like 500,000, access to capital market and the ability to freely move about and trade in a single space.”
Head of Unit at the EDU, Vincent Philbert, said the meeting will serve as a means of bringing client firms closer together and begin strategizing with the unit on the best way possible to deepen the process of collaboration between the unit and stakeholder groups.
The regional outreach programme will take the Business Development Officers (BDO) and other senior staffers to all member states of the OECS in an effort to meet with firms and to listen to their concerns and get their inputs in the crafting of programmes and activities over the next five years.
The OECS-EDU is an institution of the OECS secretariat mandated to increase export from the region. Its headquarters is in Roseau.
any moves to improve trade within the region is good. however, greater efforts must be made in research and development of innovative and excellent quality products and services that are price and quality competitive to what that is coming outside of the region.
The need to identify what products and services will improve the quality of life and well being of all involved (producer, seller and buyer) is critical to guarantee the sustainability of the market… we have not nearly reached there yet.
The continuously evolving business environmentin the region, the challenges posed by globaliztion, the growing demand for for environmentally friendly products and services that promotes the quality of life of people, that promotes wellness, that requires careful and sustainable use of natural, cultural and heritage resources are all critical in deepening the collaboration and partnerships being talked about…
Remember without market demand there is no product or service… so the Export Development Unit must help create the market demand by ensuring excellent quality products and services that a competitively priced, that people can utilise to improve their quality of life and well being, that will help to sustainability and can be recycled, reused and renewed… Personaly i find too much talk and not enough action…
We too busy building hotels in the north to worry about regional affairs.
EDU die. Mister cannot fit in the shoes of Collin. He does not know anything about Trade and it shows. How much of the EU funds from the 9th EDF was spent actually implementing projects during his Tenure?? We are now at the 10th EDF Let us see how much will be spent or sent back to the EU delegation. DNO you must publish this as it is a fact and asking Questions. We know how you are bias.
That’s a great move!!
Some time in the 90’s EDADU held national consultation among OECS states to update member states of the funding opportunities available and competitiveness. The exercise was considered a success because companies were made aware of the opportunities. I remember in St Vincent one entrepreneur Mr. Ottis who was in the furniture business said that what they need is not talk shops but a workshop to provide employment and I was very impressed with his effort in the furniture industry. We need to take some bold moves if we are to succeed as a region.
The landscape of the EDU has changed. This is now a derelict talk shop. The head knows nothing about the operations. Square pegs in Round holes.
The new Head is very different from Colin for sure! That should be expected. Its a new generation
From my involvement with EDU as a client I know they were experiencing funding dry out in between the 9th & 10th EDF. We were told that they are now focusing on new sectors such as E-Commerce development for OECS SMEs to help them do international business via on line platforms, and support for value adding agricultural activities, as well as for cultural artists etc..
The old days of the past cannot come back but it seems from the program they outlined to us at Fort Young yesterday those new guys at EDU (which they are now going to call CBU) ..the Head, his new team members (who were introduced).. we were quite pleased with their plans for us under the 10th EDF support coming up.
Stay please and await disappointment…