The staging of the St. Lucia Jazz Festival brings music, entertainment, food and many business opportunities for St. Lucians seeking to start and expand a small business. The Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Consumer Affairs recognizes the significance of micro and small enterprises in providing meaningful employment, promotion, wealth accumulation, and by extension National prosperity.

As such, the Small Enterprise Development Unit through its Market and Product Development Programme will be interfacing with small business persons within the Arts and Craft; Aromatherapy; Health and Wellness; Fashion and Agro processing sectors to explore the opportunities presented by the Jazz Festival.  The Unit facilitates an Annual Trade Exhibition during the Festival to allow these select groups of micro-entrepreneurs to position and market their products to the captive audience during the festivities.  Throughout the years, the Exhibition has witnessed a significant increase in the participation as these traders welcome the exposure to their respective businesses.

A team of well-trained and professional SEDU officers will give persons interested in participating in this year's exposition the necessary support and guidance to fully explore the many avenues available to them.  Inclusive in the preparation for the event is an intense training programme designed to equip participants with the balanced skill set to effectively interact with prospective Customers/Clients.

Many participants of the training have applauded the initiative and indicated the knowledge gained helped them to better position their products and services to maximize benefits, which would eventually lead to success. This preparation also allows businesspersons to focus on their talents as they seek to provide essential products and services to selected segments of the St. Lucian public and visitors to the island.

The Small Enterprise Development Unit (SEDU) through its mandate will continue to develop projects and interventions to promote the viability of the small and micro enterprise sector.   SEDU pledges its support to help micro and small enterprises identify and explore sustainable avenues for growth and success.

SEDU invites all interested persons to participate in the Jazz Exhibition.  For further information, please call Mrs.  Junia Emmanuel Belizaire at the SEDU Office at 468-4221 or 453-2891 or visit the office on the 4^th floor of the Heraldine Rock Building, Waterfront, Castries between the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. to register.

Perle M. Alcindor, BSc. PMP

Business Development Officer

Small Enterprise Development Unit

Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Consumer Affairs

4^th Floor Heraldine Rock, Building

Waterfront, Castries

Exhibitors of Annual Trade Exhibition organized by SEDU