Castries, November 15th, 2018; As part of activities to observe the annual Saint Lucia Business Month, the Department of Commerce, International Trade, Investment, Enterprise Development and Consumer Affairs will be staging an Enterprise Sustainability Forum on Thursday 15th November at the Finance Administrative Centre, Pointe Seraphine, Castries.

Geared primarily towards clients of the Small Business Development Centre (SBDC) and Export Saint Lucia who are involved in sustainable development practices, the Symposium will also benefit those enterprises that are involved in projects that help preserve the environment and provide solutions to environmental issues.

Close to fifty (50) local entrepreneurs are expected to attend this Forum which will entail 10-minute presentations from guest speakers including Annette Leo of the Department of Sustainable Development who will provide the National Perspective on Enterprise Sustainability; Martin Dorville, Managing Director of Massy Stores who will give the Company's overview on Balancing Profit and Environmental Considerations.

Managing Director of Greening the Caribbean, Wayne Neal will speak on How Innovation is Solving Enterprise Sustainability Problems and Carl Hunter, Property Manager at Jade Mountain & Anse Chastanet Hotel and Spa will explain How to Become a Sustainable Enterprise.

A short discussion on "Enterprise Sustainability - Balancing People, Planet & Profit" will follow the presentations.

Another interesting aspect of the Enterprise Sustainability Forum will be the display of products and services from local entrepreneurs who have successfully adopted sustainability practices in their enterprises. Some of these exhibitors include Patrick Eze of Eze Green Energy Company Ltd; Laura John of Jua Kali Ltd; Wayne Neale of Greening the Caribbean; Secondary Schools Science Fair Projects and a Solar Energy Company.

According to the Department of Commerce, which is spearheading the various Business Month activities, the rationale behind this particular event is to ensure that Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are educated on how to incorporate sustainable practices into their businesses and that they understand the importance and benefits of becoming a sustainable enterprise. 

The Enterprise Sustainability Forum which takes place from 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., will end with a cocktail mixer. Invest Saint Lucia and Massy Stores are the presenting sponsors for this activity.

The Department of Commerce, International Trade, Investment, Enterprise Development, and Consumer Affairs encourages the participation and support of the business community and the general public in this year's Business Month activities. To access the calendar of activities slated for November 1st - 30th, please visit www.facebook.com/sedusaintlucia.

For further information on this initiative, please contact Mr. Jonathan Allain, Business Development Officer at 468-4241/285-3761 or Ms. Lydia Dariah, Information Officer at    468-4219/484-1464.