One of the major activities for the Saint Lucian Homecoming started yesterday Monday 26th July following the official opening of Saint Lucian Homecoming 2010.  The aim of this fair is to facilitate increased participation of the Diaspora in skills, partnerships and network development, with Saint Lucians resident in the country.

It was decided that such an approach would ensure that investment would not be limited to its financial dimension but would also include social capital ideals such as networking, mentorship, and organization capacity building.

This activity gives youth groups, service groups, community organizations, sports clubs, NGO’s, small businesses, schools, charitable organizations, development foundations and other like groups the opportunity to display their products/services.

It will also give those attending the convention, as well as residents, a profile of the groups with which they can partner or give assistance according to the identified needs.  It is envisaged that this exercise will see investment in communities and grass roots groups that major investors do not target.

Persons attending the convention expressed their delight with the displays, commenting that they were impressed with the variety of products on display.  It is a good opportunity for Saint Lucian businesses, students at summer camps, financial institutions and the public to meet with various groups and partner with them for development

One of the high lights of the Partnership Fair is the lunchtime seminars. Half hour presentations will be made by financial institutions like NDC, CMMB, ECHF, FICS, RBTT, First National Bank, SLDB, Bank of Nova Scotia, FCIB, and the Caribbean Association of Indigenous Banks.

Presentations will also be made by the Ministry of Finance, the Employers Federation, LUCELEC and the Chamber of Commerce.  The seminars are from 11 am – 2pm, from Tuesday 27th July to Thursday 29th July.  Come and enjoy lunch at Beausejour and listen to discussions focused on investing in Saint Lucia

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