Thomas is new the Executive Director of SVGCIC

Dr. Arnold Thomas is the new Executive Director of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Chamber of Industry & Commerce (SVGCIC).{{more}}

In a release issued on Wednesday, June 15, Chamber President Angus Steele said Thomas’s appointment will take effect on July 1, 2011.

Thomas has more than 30 years of professional experience in diplomacy, development administration, teaching, research, and international business and development consulting. He has served as an International Business and Development consultant for USAID and Commonwealth Secretariat and has experience working with the Caribbean Association of Industry and Commerce (CAIC) in Barbados and the Caribbean Community Secretariat (CARICOM) in Guyana.

He also has special interest in Political and Administrative problems of development in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and National and Regional Development including business development, country support strategies and programmes in OECS Member States. Thomas holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from the City University of New York Graduate School, an M. A. in Political Science with Brooklyn College and a B.Sc. in Economics with the University of London.

The release from the Chamber said as Executive Director, Thomas will act as team leader for staff in executing the mandate of the St.Vincent and the Grenadines Chamber of Industry and Commerce to be the key agent for the protection and development of the interests of the local business community. He will also serve as the organization’s liaison in the interest of the Private sector in trade, commercial and industrial matters. His work will additionally include the mobilization of resources for the institutional strengthening and capacity building of local businesses.

“The Council is confident that with this appointment, the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Chamber of Industry and Commerce Inc now has the leadership it desires and would continue to add the necessary resources to build on its existing strengths and develop in directions that will ensure future sustainability and growth of the business community,” the release said.