The Saint Lucia Trade Export Promotion Agency (TEPA) in collaboration with Caribbean Export Development Agency (CEDA) will host a press conference following the recent allocation of BBD$8,079,174.90 (€2,992,287.00) funds to the regions private sector under the hugely competitive Direct Assistance Grant Scheme.
The press conference will take place at the Ixora Conference Room, Bay Gardens Resorts from 8:45am – 10am. Speakers will include: Emma Hippolyte – Minister of Commerce, Business Development, Investment and Consumer Affairs, Vincent Peter – Senior Programme Officer, Saint Lucia Trade Export Promotion Agency, Titus Preville – Board Member, Caribbean Export Development Agency for Saint Lucia (TBC) and Pamela Coke-Hamilton, Executive Director, Caribbean Export Development Agency.
Sixteen Saint Lucian firms have been awarded grants under the scheme. Under the 10th European Development Fund (EDF), Regional Private Sector Development Programme (RPSDP), which Caribbean Export is currently implementing, support has been offered to CARIFORUM States in a gamut of areas ranging from access to finance, to training and certification.
TEPA for its part has played an integral role in assisting these firms with preparing and writing of their proposals to successfully bid for these grants. TEPA along with CEDA is committed to seeing these firms through to the common ultimate goal of increased exports of goods and services from the Saint Lucia.