CSI to build upon Kittitian Expo success
By VonDez Phipps
Reporter-SKNVibes.com
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Cosbert Woods
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BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – The success of Kittitian Expo 2008, which ended Saturday (Nov. 8), has provided the ideal environment for the introduction of the St. Kitts-Nevis Coalition of Services Industry (CSI) in the Federation.
CSI representative Cosbert Woods, in an exclusive interview with SKNVibes, explained that the Expo was an opportunity for the service providers in the Federation to get information about the Coalition. He also stated that it provided an avenue for businesses to network and to tap into the local and foreign markets.
“Particularly, one of the main purposes of the Coalition is to provide export services in an effort to reach more foreign markets, hence foreign exchange would be generated. I think this is a good opportunity for all persons here to take advantage of and get some much-needed exposure.
“We are trying to generate membership and this is an ideal opportunity for us to tap into some of the reputable and renowned businesses that are in existence and the new and budding ones that are coming on-stream. There are many new businesses being launched today which are not very active as yet, and getting them the necessary exposure is exactly what the coalition is targeting.” ~~Adz:Right~~
The main objectives of the CSI, he said, are to prepare stakeholders for challenges and opposition of the services regime of the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME); to promote export, particularly in the areas that would set the region at an advantage and would show long-lived benefits; to partner with the public and private sectors and; to soften the impact of competition on businesses in the region, the smaller ones in particular.
Woods noted that the Expo has allowed the CSI to gain more ideas in relation to attracting new businesses and indicated that it has allowed the organization to take the mandate “a step forward by being different from those of the other CARICOM member states”.
The CSI Representative also added that the Expo had a very good combination of businesses providing goods and services, which was a perfect opportunity to not only target suppliers of goods but also those of services.
He indicated that the Expo also provided a chance to partner with the Chamber of Industry and Commerce and work closely with its members to “help them to become certified to be recognized regionally and internationally, and essentially create a brand that is synonymous with St. Kitts-Nevis”.
