[dropcap]A [/dropcap]delegation of investors from the Republic of China, Taiwan was recently on-island, where they participated in a consultative forum with Saint Lucian entrepreneurs in hopes of forming joint-venture partnerships. The event, at Bay Gardens Inn in Rodney Bay, was organised by the Department of Commerce.
Hurbert Emmanuel served as Saint Lucia’s ambassador to the Republic of China (Taiwan) from 2016-2018. He is currently managing director of Paradise Foods Ltd., a joint-venture company operated by Saint Lucian and Taiwanese businessmen. Mr Emmanuel opined, “I think there are tremendous opportunities for Saint Lucian business people. An occasion such as today’s is really bringing people to meet with people. All the time we’ve been talking only on a government-to-government basis. Now that it has reached the stage where business people are coming together, that is taking it one step further. I think this is the way we need to go. People need to meet with one another and get a good understanding as to where we want to go.”
“If you get one or two businesses springing from such a gathering, you’ll find that success brings success. When one is successful it inspires other people to go into such partnerships.”
Albert Charles is the owner of Envirocare, a local company that provides environmentally friendly products. He was thankful for the opportunity and said the experience was beneficial to him: “It was very informative. The information that I received has given me a different mindset and way of thinking. I’m so comfortable now on how to be able to source my raw material and packaging materials. One of the things that I took from them is the level of professionalism. I believe I can use it to enhance my business.” Officials from the department of Commerce are hopeful that the forum will become an annual event.
