On Tuesday 27th June 2023 the Saint Lucia Bureau Launch of the commencement of a Caribbean Development Bank funded Project entitled “Technical Assistance (TA) In Packaging And Labelling To Micro, Small And Medium-Sized Enterprises In Saint Lucia”.
The Project is being implemented by the Saint Lucia Bureau of Standards in collaboration with the Small Business Development Centre of the Ministry of Commerce, Manufacturing, Business Development, Cooperatives and Consumer Affairs.
In attendance was the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Commerce, Manufacturing, Business Development, Cooperatives and Consumer Affairs, Mrs. Sophia Alphay-Henry, Mr. Michel Thomas, Representative of the Caribbean Development Bank, who is one of the sponsors of the project. The Welcome Address was given by Director of the Saint Lucia Bureau of Standards Verne Emmanuel. Mr. Michel Thomas then highlighted the justification for the project and the reasoning behind the CDB sponsorship. The project outline
The objectives of the Project are to:
(a) train at least 200 existing MSMEs (by December 2023) in packaging and labelling standards, and market positioning; and
(b) provide technical assistance to 50 MSMEs (by December 2024) to upgrade their packaging and labels for entry into new markets.
The project targets MSMEs from the following sectors/sub-sectors:
- Agriculture
- Agro-processing
- Creative Industries (Fashion and Craft)
- Non-Food Manufacturing
Non-food manufacturing (mainly Aromatherapy, Hair and Beauty products).
The Project consists of 4 components:
- Component I – Virtual Training Workshops in Packaging and Labelling for 200 MSMEs
- Component II – Virtual Training Workshops in Market Positioning for 200 MSMEs
- Component III – Selection of 50 MSMEs to receive hands-on assessment of their current packaging and labels
- Component IV – Redesign of packaging and labels of 50 MSMEs through the services of a Graphic Design Artist
Follow-on post training Technical Assistance will be provided by the SLBS and SBDC in keeping with their mandates, in collaboration with other key agencies to beneficiary MSMEs.
