The expo facilitates the building of networks among regional and international buyers and sellers.

The Saint Lucia Trade Export Promotion Agency (TEPA) launched the Specialty Caribbean Expo 2017 at the Daren Sammy Cricket Grounds, yesterday.

The launch marks the start of activities that will lead up to March 2017, when Saint Lucia will host business contingents from the Organization of Eastern States (OECS) for the Specialty Caribbean Expo 2017.

TEPA CEO Jacqueline Emmanuel Flood said the four-day expo will host buyers and suppliers from OECS member states and Martinique.

“Speciality Caribbean Expo is a great opportunity for buyers for authentic Caribbean products and services in the OECS and Martinique," she said. "What is unique about this expo is that while it is Saint Lucia based, it is an expo for the entire OECS and Martinique. It will be over a four-day period where suppliers from the region will meet buyers who will be coming in to source new products and services from a number of different countries.”

Hon. Minister Bradley Felix commended TEPA for first launching the expo in 2012, and working to surpass its achievements by setting specific objectives for the Speciality Caribbean Expo 2017.

“This year's Speciality Caribbean Expo is being held under the theme 'A Unique Buying Experience.' This expo is buyer-focused, with the intention of increasing exports in priority sectors and markets. TEPA officials have been liasing with partner agencies in the Caribbean, Cuba, Canada, USA, and the UK, to secure buyer commitments for the expo," he said.

Some of the specific objectives of the expo are to create an opportunity for participating exporters to obtain credible and sustainable leads and markets for products and services; to facilitate regional and international buyer/seller connections; to form and strengthen strategical alliances with trade partners, officials and agencies; to promote an improved inter-regional trade; and to identify new distributors, suppliers and representatives for exihibitors' products and services.

The Specialty Caribbean Expo 2017 will run from March 9 - 12, 2017. The launch was attended by the Minister for Commerce, International Trade, Investment, Enterprise Development and Consumer Affairs, Hon Bradley Felix.