It was a carnival atmosphere in the streets of Anse La Raye last week as the Anse La Raye Infant School staged a reading street parade, reimaging education and literacy in a different space. Principal at the school, Albert Joseph endorsed the event and the innovativeness of the teaching staff in making learning fun.
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Covid-19 has created what has aptly been described as the “new normal” causing a blended approach to be adopted by all sectors in society. This has caused the rapid penetration and dependence on ICT for communication, business activity, education, and the list goes on.
This rapid dependence on ICT has undoubtedly widened the digital divide particularly for small island developing states like Saint Lucia with many not having access to technology or appropriate technology to seamlessly navigate this new normal.
Reducing the digital divide is projected as one sure way of increasing Saint Lucia’s competitiveness and sustaining economic development.
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Communication has a vital role to play in fueling economic growth. A well-coordinated strategized and funded national information communication roadmap for Saint Lucia is vital to the economic health of the country.
Read MoreMuch has been said of the potential of the youth, the future generation, their innovative, inventive, and creative nature. The Government of Saint Lucia has placed great emphasis on harnessing this potential by placing the portfolio of the Youth Economy under the direct supervision of the Prime Minister of Saint Lucia.
The Youth economy is viewed as a catalyst for economic growth and national development and is expected to turn the ideas, dreams and hobbies of the youth into viable, sustainable, business opportunities.
Buying, supporting, investing in local products and services will keep our monies circulating within our local economy and create greater opportunities for livelihoods and businesses to thrive. But what are the hindrances to and or opportunities in fully embracing the Love Saint Lucia Campaign? At its core, this campaign is geared at improving the economic growth of Saint Lucia at all levels in society.
The Ministry of Agriculture coordinated a discussion on “How should agriculture be re-positioned to fill more space in Saint Lucia’s economic basket?” The main components highlighted are food and nutrition security, diversification, trade and export, access to finance, land and a skilled labour force.
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The circular economy has great potential for boosting Saint Lucia’s economic growth and national development through the creation of sustainable jobs and innovative business ventures.
Converting trash to cash is a discussion that must translate to action to benefit individuals, communities, and the nation as a whole. It takes into consideration the land, people and the environment.
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The National Competitiveness and Productivity Council (NCPC) are pleased to announce the broadcast dates for their new television series ‘Productivity Matters’. The series, (which is funded by Compete Caribbean) gives insight into organisations and agencies within the private and public sectors, whose programs and initiatives focus on productivity and/or competitiveness.
The series which comprises of six episodes, made its debut in January 2016.
Marketing Analyst at the NCPC, Mrs Geraldine Bicette Joseph states, ‘There are many organisations out there that are doing great things in regards to helping develop the nation through productivity initiatives and we believe that it is only right for their efforts to be highlighted. Each episode within the series varies significantly from the other as we have looked at a range of individuals and subject matters including the construction industry, solid waste management, the public service, the Commercial Division of the High Court and young entrepreneurs’.
‘At the NCPC we also recognise that it is sometimes hard to grasp the concepts of productivity and competitiveness and so we hope that the series will illustrate how these concepts, when applied practically, bring about a positive outcome for the nation’.
Productivity Matters will be aired at the following times on the stations listed.
Ep 1- Productivity Awareness Week 2015 (Calabash- 7.50pm, DBS – 8pm, 11/1/16) (HTS 8pm 14/1/16)
Ep 2 – Employee Assistance Program (Calabash- 7.50pm, DBS – 8pm, 25/1/16) (HTS 8pm 28/1/16)
Ep 3 – Commercial Court (Calabash- 7.50pm, DBS – 8pm, 8/2/16) (HTS 8pm 11/2/16)
Ep 4 – Greening the Caribbean (Calabash- 7.50pm, DBS – 8pm, 22/2/16) (HTS 8pm 25/2/16)
Ep 5 – The Construction Industry (Calabash- 7.50pm, DBS – 8pm, 7/3/16) (HTS 8pm 10/3/16)
Ep 6 – Young Entrepreneurs (Calabash- 7.50pm, DBS – 8pm, 21/3/16) (HTS 8pm 24/3/16)
The National Competitiveness & Productivity Council continues its efforts in creating a mind-set change that promotes a more productive and competitive Saint Lucia. As such, as part of Productivity Awareness Week 2015 a Young Entrepreneurs’ Mixer was organised to present young and prospective entrepreneurs with an opportunity to network. The focus of this activity was for these young persons to make connections and obtain useful information to guide and advance their business efforts.
This event took place on Friday, October 16, 2015 where there were various short speeches on financial management tips, marketing for small businesses and developing business plans. The featured speech was entitled: “How to grow your money- the non-conventional approach”. In attendance were over fifty young and aspiring entrepreneurs. There was also a mingling session, where entrepreneurs got an opportunity to meet with mentors and other possible business partners.
One of the entrepreneurs in attendance was Mr. Johanan Dujon, who provided his feedback on the activity:
The NCPC Business Mixer gave me the chance to rub shoulders with the “big boys” of the private sector in Saint Lucia, as well as to listen to gems of wisdom by bankers and marketing advisors. Events such as these provide a unique opportunity for young entrepreneurs like myself, to network and build lasting relationships. Unlike other mixers I’ve attended, this one allowed entrepreneurs to pick the brains of successful businessmen at length in a casual and open environment. This type of mentorship and dialogue with the local business magnates is one of the key factors in developing entrepreneurship.
Another key factor in driving entrepreneurship is access to finance from a government policy standpoint. Commercial banks do not cater for venture capital (start-up capital) understandably due to the high risk. The micro finance institutions charge more exorbitant rates of interest than the banks themselves, which can be discouraging to aspiring entrepreneurs and put micro/small business owners in a real conundrum.
In spite of these pressing issues, listening to Mr. Rayneau Gajadhar address us on how to “grow money the unconventional way”, has provided valuable insight to what it takes to succeed in business. One of the many things I took from this lecture is that if you can survive here, you can survive anywhere.
I believe the turnout of this event shows that young entrepreneurs have a serious interest in business and understand their pivotal role of being the drivers of employment and investment in the future.
However, to grow money the unconventional way, we must first have access to the money in the first place. The question therefore should be; what can be done to aid micro/small enterprises with access to finance at an affordable rate?
The NCPC is indeed pleased that the event was quite beneficial to the attendees. The mentors who were present have reported that they have made connections with the entrepreneurs and plan to work with them in the future. We look forward to hosting other activities for young entrepreneurs in the future. More importantly, to host activities that meets the needs of young entrepreneurs.