Call For Local Manufacturers Association

Contact: Ayodele Hippolyte

Tuesday, August 29, 2000 – Local manufacturers are being called upon to unite and combine their forces to form an official association. The appeal was made by the Minister for Commerce, International Financial Services and Consumer Affairs, Hon. Phillip J. Pierre, as he spoke at the opening of St. Lucia Expo 2000, Friday at the Sir Ira Simmons Secondary School.

Minister Pierre is of the view that an association is vital to the process of energizing the local manufacturing sector, which has had to battle many forces that threaten the survival of local industry. He said that part of the reason is the absence of a cohesive force or strong representative body to guide and steer the affairs of manufacturers. "This body must complement existing private sector agencies," said Pierre. He added, "A manufacturing association is necessary because of the somewhat different agendas of the various players. We must never forget that in the commercial arena we are all partners, struggling for economic benefits. There is a need for renewed commitment to manufacturing by all concerned".

The minister also remarked that there was a need to transcend internal barriers and replace them with a culture of co-operation and dialogue. To initiate this transformation, he revealed that his ministry would be introducing a new industrial policy for St. Lucia that would guide the island’s industrial activities.

Chairperson of the National Development Corporation, Agnes Francis, also pointed out that the "trade show is of tremendous value as a marketing tool for exhibitors" and that it "demonstrates that there are local alternatives to the T.V products and services".

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