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Tuesday, April 17, 2007 – At a recent consultation for key
stakeholders in the auto services sector in St. Lucia, mapping out a new policy
direction for the sector was among the top agenda items for the day.
The consultation was organized by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Commerce
through the Small Enterprise Development Unit- SEDU. An eight-week stakeholder
analysis conducted by SEDU, indicated numerous concerns by members of the public
and garage owners.
Addressing the meeting, SEDU's Director Peter Lorde said as a government agency
responsible for the sustainable development of small business in St. Lucia, it
was the SEDU's responsibility to respond.
According to Lorde, “Our initial response reveal clearly that there were a
number of issues that are in dire need of urgent systematic resolution. It was
also obvious that no one person has a clear grip on the entire picture and
therefore the solution will remain elusive. We are here to avert that
situation.”
SEDU is hoping that through the consultation and subsequent interventions, the
many goals for
charting the future of the sector would have been met among them, the
revitalization of the St. Lucia Auto Garage Proprietors Association, a
sustainable link with the education sector, an enhanced sector competitiveness
through best practices, standards compliance and the development of
certification programs.
Minister in the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Commerce Hon. Edmund Estephane
expressed the Government of St. Lucia's endorsement of the move by SEDU, which
he says compliments government's own initiatives as part of the overall support
for enterprise development and local investment in St. Lucia's economic future.
“Our government also supports productivity; productivity is the key, but we must
take it one step further. We trust that everyone here is committed to this
process, with full participation, constructive engagement, strong sense of
purpose, and a focus on results,” added Estephan.
Attending the consultation ware representatives of the St. Lucia Insurance
Council, the education sector, Fire and Emergency Services, Bureau of Standards,
St. Lucia Solid Waste Management Authority, National Council for Public
Transportation, new car dealers, and members of the St. Lucia Auto Service
Garage Proprietors Association.
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