Eight sectors for NES special treatment

Eight sectors are being considered for priority treatment in the recently developed National Export Strategy.

And, beginning this week, stakeholders from these sectors will meet to organize themselves into teams to formulate specific strategies for their respective areas.{{more}}

The sectors include fresh agricultural produce, agro-processed products, light manufacturing, Tourism, Non-Tourism Services, Creative Industries and International Financial Services.

The sector-specific meetings are a follow-up to the National Export Strategy (NES) symposium held last week Thursday at the Methodist Church Hall.

The symposium, organized by the National Investment Promotions Inc. (NIPI) sought the endorsement of the NES by key stakeholders.

Over 230 persons, representing all the country’s productive sectors, were present and actively participated in the open forum which followed the formal presentations.

The NES was developed by team of stakeholders from the public and private sector, and seeks to reorient the economy of St Vincent and the Grenadines so that it begins to produce goods and services which have a competitive advantage and can compete on the international market. The process was navigated by the NIPI, led by Executive Director Suzanne Joachim.

Technical support was provided by National Consultant, Ellison Clarke.

The feature address at the symposium was delivered by Prime Minister, Dr Ralph Gonsalves. Other presentations were made by Edmund Jackson, Chairman of the NIPI, Suzanne Joachim, Executive Director, NIPI and Nathaniel Williams of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Technical guidance and financial assistance for the process is being provided by the Commonwealth Secretariat and the International Trade Centre.