The Ministry of Commerce, Business Development, Investment and Consumer Affairs is continuing its efforts to facilitate growth of the Micro and Small Enterprise (MSE) Sector in Saint Lucia through the recent launch of the Small Business Development Centre (SBDC) and the SBDC Network of Partners.

As the Ministry moves forward with the implementation of the SBDC program, we are pleased to welcome visiting consultants from SBDCs in Belize and the United States who will be with us from Monday June 29th to Wednesday July 1st, 2015. The purpose of this consultation are two-fold:

1. To review the current operations of the Small Enterprise Development Unit (SEDU), which is the Unit responsible for setting up the SBDC in Saint Lucia. SEDU seeks to amend its own operating procedures in order to adopt best practices of SBDCs operating globally while improving the services offered to our local entrepreneurs.

2. To meet with Academia involved within the SBDC Network including Monroe College, Sir Arthur Lewis Community College, University of the West Indies (UWI) Open Campus and the National Research and Development Foundation (NRDF). Academia plays a critical role within the SBDC Network as a resource for training and research for current and future business owners and entrepreneurs. The consultancy will provide a framework for continued sustainable collaboration between SEDU and Academia.

For further information on this activity please contact one of our officers within the Ministry of Commerce, Mr. Esli Lafeuillee at 468-4248/ 285-4679 or Mr. Egbert Stevens at 468 4221/ 285- 4573.