Trade Minister Visits Viking Traders

by Lucius Doxerie

August 14, 1997 - The recent report on the state of the economy to the parliament of St. Lucia, noted that the development of the manufacturing sector is crucial to the balanced development of the economy and is potentially a greater source of employment and net foreign exchange earnings. If so be the case, then, perhaps, half the answer has already been provided according to marketing director of Viking Traders.

The company, according to Marketing Director, Walter Zephirin, is able to guarantee every farmer the purchase of his/her fruit, if the government of the day is able to offer appropriate assistance.
Established since 1979, the company has moved from an employment role of 7 to over 80 persons. As recently as this year, Viking Traders won a number of prestigious awards in the United States. the local manufacturers are the proud producers of Banana Ketchup, CoCo Nut Cream, a variety of Hot Sauces and a diverse selection of other commodities. The production plant was recently visited by the minister of industry and commerce.

In keeping with promises made by the government to visit local manufacturing industries, Minister for Industry Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Hon. Dr. Walter Francois, recently paid a courtesy call on the management and staff of Viking Traders.

During this visit, the management of the company, seized the opportunity to express their views on a number of issues, including the removal of consumption taxes on their products so as to make it more competitive on the local market.

For his part, Dr. Francois impressed upon the management team of Viking Traders the need to be consistent as it regards quantity and quality of their products.

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