Caribbean Times 95th Issue - Friday 10th February 2017

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6 c a r i b b e a n t i m e s . a g Friday 10th February 2017 Local artisans told “to claim your space” Traditionally, producers of arts and craft and have been referred to as “Artisans” but Minister of Trade, Commerce and Industry the Honourable E. P. Chet Green have told this group that they must now become modernized and see themselves as “Business People”, promoting excellence and ready to take on the challenge of a global environment in which locally produced goods can find their way onto international markets, despite the challenges which smaller businesses and countries like Antigua and Barbuda face with economies of scale and capital. Against this background, the Trade, Commerce and Industry Minister has pledged the government’s commitment, through his Ministry, to continue working with this group and small businesses generally, to ensure that the Gaston Brown led- administration’s vision for small businesses to play an important role in the local economy, is achieved. The Minister was speaking at an Awards Ceremony of an Arts, Craft and Design Showcase at the Jolly Beach Resort and Spa yesterday afternoon, after an earlier opening ceremony at which Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Trade, Commerce and Industry, Sandra Joseph, Consultant, Lisa Callender and Louise Joseph-Ochasi of Amyas Designs addressed exhibitors, guests and stakeholders. “As we re-discover the benefits of this sector, you must raise your gears and reach for the stars. You must change your marketing pitch, increase your personal wealth, visibility and accessibility” the Minister charged. At the same time he announced an initiative which the Ministry of Trade, Commerce and Industry will be undertaking with the opening of a store front in Heritage Quay to accommodate locally produced goods. But he reminded the “business people” that this initiative is intended to serve as a start up to assisting them in promoting and increasing the visibility of their products. Adding that he expects them to move on to “claim their space” and encouraged them to undertake partnership among themselves, to bring about greater benefits. “This initiative of small business development starts with artisans but the intent is to embrace and involve other sectors to rebuild the economy”, the Minister remarked. Earlier, he viewed the products on show and spoke to the participants during a walk through. The one day Arts, Craft and Design Showcase, dubbed Hand-Crafted…Locally Produced is the first undertaking of a Module under which the government of Antigua and Barbuda secured assistance from the European Union and the Caribbean Development Bank, CDB, to undertake a project, aimed at strengthening Private Sector Participation in the Caricom Single Market and Economy CSME Business Development, with particular emphasis on the arts and craft sector. Ms. Lisa Callender, consultant on the project and founder of ProTradeConsult, who has been working with the artisans and producers has expressed her satisfaction with the outcome of yseterday’s showcase but stressed the need to make the event an annual one and including more stakeholders, in order to build reputation and increase the visibility of the sector, all of which she says contribute to good market access. Several local artisans, producers and businesses participated in yesterday’s showcase, with a range of locally produced goods ranging from Art, leather goods, ceramic, jewelry, Soap, wood work, crochet. All of the participants received Certificates of Participation. Best of Show Awards in categories ranging from Best New product handcrafted were presented to Jacqueline Nicholas of Crochet Plus, Best Product Collection to Edison Liburd of Edison Arts, Best Packaging Award to Jean-Marie Thomas of Ajeante, Best Quality award to Louise Joseph-Ochasi of Amya’s Designs, Most Export Ready Award to Sasha Williams of Beaded Jewelry. A locally produced video highlighting the process of product preparation by artisans was also launched during the awards ceremony.
Friday 10th February 2017 c a r i b b e a n t i m e s . a g 7 ‘Entrepreneurial socialism’ attracts attention By Everton Barnes The new developmental model – entrepreneurial socialism - that is being pursued by the Antigua and Barbuda government is generating much interest within the Caribbean and Latin America. The model articulated by the Gaston Browne Administration holds the view that it will take the best features of capitalism and that of socialism and to create a developmental paradigm in which the people of Antigua and Barbuda benefit. Prime Minister Gaston Browne said this new approach to development is already making an impact not just in Antigua and Barbuda but throughout the region with governments and institutions giving it good commendations. “The model has received some level of notice from countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. Just this week, I met with a group out of Venezuela and they were very excited about the concept,” Browne told a radio audience Thursday. He disclosed that inquiries have also come from the Director General of the OECS Secretariat, Dr. Didacus Jules, who has asked to join with Antigua and Barbuda to develop the model further. PM Browne even said reported that other inquiries are coming from as far away as Nicaragua which wants to discuss the entrepreneurial socialism as a new development model for the region. In explaining the model, the prime minister said the recently established National Asset Management Company (NAMCO) is the best example of the entrepreneurial socialism at work. This government-owned entity will partner with the private sector to undertake major capital investments with the government benefitting from both taxes from the business that is created…and later share in the profits or dividends. These dividends will go into the treasury to help fund education, health and other social programmes. One of the first undertakings of NAMCO will be to complete the car park. According to the prime minister the government has been able to negotiate a reduction in the price of the structure from US$15 million down to US$6 million. He said NAMCO has the money to complete the purchase which he expects to take place shortly.
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Caribbean Times 95th Issue - Friday 10th February 2017

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