MSME Newsletter - OAS WEE MSME Clearinghouse Experience – Saint Lucia
We are thrilled to share experiences from the fifth country highlighted in the OAS Women Economic Empowerment project's MSME Clearinghouse, Saint Lucia. We start by introducing our National Focal Point’s institution, followed by valuable resources provided other institutions who support the advancement of MSMEs in Saint Lucia.
Small Business Development Center - (SBDC) Ministry of Commerce, Manufacturing, Business Development, Cooperatives & Consumer Affairs
The Small Business Development Centre (SBDC), also known as the Small Enterprise Development Unit (SEDU), is a department within the Department of Commerce, International Trade, Investment, Enterprise Development and Consumer Affairs. It is envisaged that the SBDC will offer a more holistic approach to the development of the Micro and Small Enterprise (MSE) sector in Saint Lucia, with the core mission being to help businesses become globally competitive by providing long term consulting, training, financing and market research solutions that create real economic impact.
Access Guidelines to register a company or business and checklists for application for fiscal incentives and duty-free concessions among other resources.
Saint Lucia Industrial & Small Business Association (SLISBA)
The St. Lucia Industrial and Small Business Association (SLISBA) is the national umbrella body, a not-for-profit entity, which represents the interests of small, medium and micro-sized businesses in St. Lucia. Foremost and within its plan of action is providing relevant continuous training, advocacy, marketing and advisory services to its membership.
Access information on checking your business' health, technology trends and membership benefits.
St. Lucia Chamber of Commerce Industry & Agriculture (SLCCIA)
The Saint Lucia Chamber of Commerce Industry & Agriculture endeavors to foster business growth and development by providing strong leadership, effective advocacy and relevant services to our membership which they can leverage in their communities.
Access guides on Key Performance Indicators for business, cash flow management, debt management, profitability, and other key topics.
National Research & Development Foundation (NRDF)
The National Research & Development Foundation endeavors to be the SME financer, business development, research, and professional training institute in the Eastern Caribbean.
Access information on a range of courses and workshops including business management, customs laws and procedures, digital marketing among others.
Invest Saint Lucia (ISL)
Invest Saint Lucia (ISL) is the investment promotion agency of the Government of Saint Lucia. Mandate to promote investment opportunities; facilitate investor access to incentives and concessions as prescribed under the law.
Access information on how to get yor trade license, register your business, and available concessions.
About the MSME Clearinghouse:
The MSME Clearing House is a platform dedicated to support and empower women entrepreneurs in the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector. Our mission is to provide a centralized hub of resources and information tailored specifically to the needs of women-owned businesses.
At the MSME Online Clearinghouse, we believe in the power of knowledge and community. Join us today and unlock a world of resources tailored to empower women entrepreneurs in the MSME sector. Together, let us break barriers, achieve success, and create a more equitable and resilient society.
Discover more at: https://wee-msme-clearinghouse.com/
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More than 135 thousand MSMEs led by women supported by the Ministry of Economy
More than 135 thousand MSMEs led by women were supported with more than 54 billion pesos by the Undersecretary of Small and Medium Enterprises of the Ministry of Industry and Productive Development of the Nation with the aim of promoting their projects. Through this investment, the Ministry of Economy aims to reduce gender gaps throughout the productive network and contribute to development with more jobs and exports.
More exporting SMEs can make investments in digital and industry 4.0 technologies to strengthen their productivity
Through the PyMEX Digital Transformation program, which provides direct non-refundable financing, small and medium-sized industrial export enterprises will also be able to improve the efficiency and quality of their processes, develop new business models and open more export markets.
8 out of 10 exporting MSMEs paid less export duties
Thanks to the tools to promote foreign trade implemented by the National Ministry of Economy, in September more than 83% of exporting MSMEs benefited from the elimination and/or reduction of export duties.
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More than 200 productive units participate in the Made in Bolivia Fair
More than 200 productive units of artisans, micro, small, medium and large entrepreneurs will participate in the Productive, Commercial and Gastronomic Fair Made in Bolivia, which took place on Friday the 17th, Saturday the 18th and Sunday the 19th of November in Plaza Villarroel.
More than 12,000 micro and small enterprises increased their economic income by 54% with the PROMYPE program
The national government, through the entity PROBOLIVIA, dependent on the Ministry of Productive Development and Plural Economy, and the Swiss Cooperation, presented on Tuesday the results of the PROMYPE Phase II project, which concludes after completing three years of work, benefiting more of 12,000 manufacturing micro and small enterprises (SMEs), which increased their economic income by 54% during the execution of the program.
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Innovation, sustainability and inclusion will drive change in small businesses
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Government announces federal investment in jobs, small business growth and accelerating Manitoba’s green advantage
$4.6 million of PrairiesCan funding supports jobs and innovation for greener growth in Manitoba
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Small businesses and clean energy providers invited to a national meeting for sustainable development
More than 200 businessmen, businesswomen, cooperatives and suppliers meet at the event organized by SERCOTEC and the Ministry of Energy. The activity seeks to bring new technological solutions closer to small businesses and thus contribute to the decarbonization of the country.
SERCOTEC opens a new call for its Global SMEs program
The initiative seeks to support the first steps of business internationalization, providing advice and support for access to marketplaces such as Amazon, Walmart or eBay.
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iNNpulsa Colombia is ranked #1 as an ally of the ecosystem for its support to entrepreneurs
The distinction was awarded for the high-value support provided by the entity, and which was recognized by the participating ventures in the Open Innovation Ranking presented at the Open Innovation and Investor Summit Colombia. Likewise, six of the startups that were in the Top 10 of the ranking have received support from iNNpulsa Colombia, through the ALDEA, ALDEA Escala, MiLAB and APPS.CO initiatives. iNNpulsa Colombia is the agency of the National Government that, with the leadership of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, promotes the closing of social and territorial gaps, through entrepreneurship, innovation, the development of the popular economy and the strengthening of Colombian MSMEs.
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MEIC celebrates “Entrepreneurship Month” in November
The Ministry of Economy, Industry and Commerce (MEIC) celebrates “Entrepreneurship Month” in November with a series of activities that seek to inspire, educate and promote the entrepreneurial spirit throughout the country.
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“ExportaSV 2023 National Forum” to train the country's micro and small businesses in export culture
The Government of El Salvador, through the National Commission for Micro and Small Enterprises (CONAMYPE), held the “National ExportaSV Forum”, through which it seeks to form the export culture in MYPEs.
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Ministry of Economy delivers 30 White Seal Distinctions in support of MSMEs with export potential
The Ministry of Economy, through the Vice Ministry of MSME Development, delivered 30 White Seal Distinctions to MSMEs that have quality to export to international markets.
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20,280 women assisted by SENPRENDE throughout Honduras
Within the framework of the socialization of the report on the progress of budget execution corresponding to 2023 in the National Congress, the National Entrepreneurship and Small Business Service (SENPRENDE) presented the results obtained in the financial inclusion of women, as a fundamental pillar of family economy and development of the country.
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MSME BUSINESS ROADSHOW STOPS IN KINGSTON
The Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce will be hosting the fourth instalment of its highly successful Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Business Roadshow in Kingston.
JBDC EMBARKS ON WEEKLONG CELEBRATION TO MARK GEW 2023
The Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC) will roll out a week of activities to celebrate Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) 2023.
MSMES URGED TO TAP INTO GOVERNMENT AID
MICRO, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) are being encouraged to leverage government grants and facilities to enhance their business operations.
JBDC TARGETS 2,000 SMALLBIZ FOR DIGITAL UPSKILLING
JAMAICA BUSINESS Development Corporation, JBDC, is trying to equip 2,000 small and micro businesses with digital skills so they can earn more income through e-commerce. The agency is trying to get more businesses to sell online on their own websites or via e-commerce platforms, under the wider Digital Jamaica Programme that’s backed by the European Union.
JBDC OPENS AGRO-PROCESSING INCUBATOR
Entrepreneurs in the local agro-processing subsector are set to benefit from technical support and other business development services to drive the overall growth and sustainability of their businesses.
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Ministry of Economy and Amazon Web Services launch program to develop cloud skills and train Mexican talent
The Ministry of Economy and Amazon Web Services (AWS) launched the “Boosting Mexican Talent to the Cloud” program, through which it is expected to train around 130 thousand people in cloud skills by the end of 2024, including students, teachers, as well as entrepreneurs, so that they have access to tools and knowledge to be competitive in the digital economy, even though they have no prior experience in information technologies.
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Panama participates in the OECD International Workshop on MSMEs
The Vice Minister of Foreign Trade, Francisco Mola, participated this Monday in the international workshop to exchange experiences of the Development Center of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), co-organized with the governments of Panama and Paraguay, called “Support Policies and formalization of MSMEs for a new sustainable development model for the post-COVID era.”
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Entrepreneurial women from 13 departments will boost their businesses thanks to the Capital Semilla award
One hundred entrepreneurial women received the Seed Capital award from the Reemujerpy 4th Project. (Edition), on this occasion, the winners came from 13 departments of the country, and stood out for the innovation and quality of their products.
MIC and allies inaugurate the first Business Development Center (SBDC) in Itapúa
Inauguration of the first SBDC Business Development Center (Small Business Development Centers) in the department of Itapúa. The event, which will be attended by the Vice Minister of Mipymes at the headquarters of the Autonomous University of Encarnación (UNAE).
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