Investors in London urged to think SVG

Newly appointed executive director of Invest SVG Bernadette Ambrose-Black has urged investors in London to think St Vincent and the Grenadines.{{more}}

Ambrose-Black was the keynote speaker at a major networking/drinks reception in London, hosted by the St Vincent and the Grenadines High Commission to London, with the assistance of the Commonwealth Exchange. The event was attended by overseas investors from UK, Europe, Africa and Asia, as well as members of the Vincentian and Caribbean diaspora.

This event was the first of two major gala events that will take place this year, the second being an annual Vincentian Business Awards for Excellence, scheduled for November. These gala events will be positioned as unique exhibition points for business enterprises and investment opportunities. Both events will raise greater awareness of St Vincent and the Grenadines at an international level.

Ambrose-Black urged investors to think St Vincent and the Grenadines and took them through a visual and virtual journey, awakening their senses to SVG as the Caribbean destination that they seek, the one stop destination and investment jurisdiction.

She stated that over the past 20 years, international investment has become an increasingly important feature in the globalized economy, having grown much faster than world Gross Domestic Product. The Vincentian economy has experienced reasonable levels of growth for many years and has withstood various exogenous shocks. In referring to SVG, she quoted Jamaican poet and folklorist Louise Simone Bennett Coverley, when she said “We Small, but we Tallawa (strong).”

Ambrose-Black conveyed that SVG is a modern nation, with steeped, tried and tested values of our Caribbean civilization.

“We have a stable investment climate, an attractive incentive framework and a modern legal and regulatory environment,” she said.

Through her presentation, Ambrose-Black created a greater awareness for business opportunities in SVG and also public awareness regarding the international airport and the opportunities being offered. It is anticipated that there would be even more opportunities that will be created for expansion and innovation among the Vincentian business communities at home and in the diaspora, as well the access to international markets, and the role of FDI in a small developing State such as SVG.The event, with minister counsellor Doris Charles at the helm of the organizing committee, once again demonstrated the High Commission’s commitment to a responsible investment/business agenda. Invitations were sent through the Commonwealth Exchange to their networks, as well as to the airline industry, the tourism sector, investors, insurance companies, the Mayor of London, the Member of Parliament with specific interest in the Caribbean, the Archbishop of London, cricket teams, football teams to name some of the areas.

The event was chaired by Steve Maingot – health informatics specialist. Eloise and Storm Gonsalves, wife and son of the Prime Minister, respectively, were also present.

Also part of the Invest SVG Team to London was Nadine Agard, and together they hosted individual meetings with a group of more than fifteen investors’ representatives of more than ten different investment areas. During these meetings, the role of and continuing progress made by Invest SVG was highlighted, as well as the preparations being made and investment opportunities in relation to the opening of the international airport at Argyle.

Invest SVG, together with the Commonwealth Exchange, is currently engaged in the creation of a website using the theme ThinkSVG. This website was also launched at the Networking Forum. This website is available for viewing at: http://www.thinksvg.eu/. The UK, Europe and the African continent would be able to use this main portal/website to access more information about SVG in a more timely and relevant manner. These events are all occurring in tandem with Invest SVG’s 10th anniversary celebrations.