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On Thursday 1st<\/sup>\u00a0July, the Dominica Export Import Agency will be 35 years old.\u00a0\u00a0Established by Act No. 14, on 1st<\/sup>\u00a0July 1986, the government statutory body was created to spearhead the development of Dominica\u2019s export sector with a focus on Agriculture, Agro-Processing, and\u00a0more recently, Cultural Industries and Professional Services.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0In observance of\u00a0its 35th<\/sup>\u00a0anniversary, the Agency will host a week of activities commencing on Monday 28th<\/sup>\u00a0June and ending on Sunday 4th<\/sup>\u00a0July 2021.<\/p>\n \u201cDEXIA has come a long way these past three decades and during this week of celebrations we are focusing on where we have been, where we are and where we are going,\u201d says DEXIA\u2019s General Manager Paula Platsko.<\/p>\n \u00a0She adds, \u201cThough it\u2019s a short period, we hope that it will encapsulate our journey thus far and that the public will engage with us\u00a0during this celebration of our contributions to Dominica\u2019s economy.\u201d<\/p>\n This milestone anniversary will be celebrated under the theme \u201cForging Ahead with Agriculture, Services and Trade\u201d and commence with a church service at the St. Alphonsus Catholic Church on Monday 28th<\/sup>\u00a0June 2021. The following day a panel discussion on the topic \u201cDEXIA\u2019s Relevance, Today and Tomorrow\u201d will take place at the Fort Young Hotel.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0On Wednesday 30th<\/sup>\u00a0June 2021 representatives from All Saints University, Fresh Market Pharmacy, Jolly’s Pharmacy, Dominica Health and Wellness Association, Nurse Manuella Germaine and Sagicor will be engaging the public at the Roseau Market for a \u201cHealth and Wellness Day.\u201d Customer Appreciation Day will be held at all DEXIA locations on Thursday 1st<\/sup>\u00a0July 2021 which is Anniversary Day. The Multi-Purpose Pack Houses will host two training sessions in Roseau and Portsmouth on that day focusing on Customer Service and\u00a0targeting\u00a0farmers, clients, hucksters, exporters and staff. The Agency will also make donations of food baskets to The Dominica Infirmary, Chances, Community Hostel Inc. (Grotto Home), House of Hope and Grange Home for the Aged throughout the week. The 35th<\/sup>\u00a0Anniversary activities culminate with a Staff outing on Sunday 4th<\/sup>\u00a0July 2021.<\/p>\n Under the direction of the Ministry of Trade, Commerce, Entrepreneurship, Innovation, Business and Export Development, DEXIA has been a key player in the export of goods and services from Dominica. The Agency developed the Business Gateway Project in 2008 which was funded by the European Union. The National Export Strategy was developed in collaboration with\u00a0International\u00a0Trade Centre and its implementation was funded by the Caribbean Development Bank. Additionally, the Cocoa Cluster Development Project was developed in 2019 to revitalise the Cocoa Industry after the devastating effects of Hurricane Maria in 2017.<\/p>\n From 2018, the Agency successfully hosted the annual Strictly Local Christmas Village event. This is an avenue for local artisans and producers to showcase items with opportunity for sale.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0DEXIA has also promoted Dominican products at several events in the region and the world to include CARIFESTA and the World Expo (Shanghai 2010, Milan 2015, Kazakhstan 2017 and upcoming Dubai 2021).<\/p>\n