Department of Trade, Industry and Consumer Affairs Featured in Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) Post Conference Media Release

The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) in partnership with the St. Lucia Development Bank hosted a regional conference for Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) in the region from 24-26 July, 2019. Over 70 persons from 40 organisations in 21 countries participated in the conference, “Development Banking in the Caribbean: A Regional Approach to Sustainable Development.”

The Turks and Caicos Islands Government was represented at the Conference by Deputy Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, Trade and Investment, Mrs Shonia Thomas-Been and the Director of Trade in the Department of Trade, Industry and Consumer Affairs, Mrs Merida Cable-Lewis.

The Department was featured in a recent media article issued by CDB dated 2 September, 2019 which highlights TCIG’s ongoing commitment to support the development of local MSMEs. The excerpt reads:

“Merida S. Cable-Lewis, Director of Trade, Department of Trade, Industry and Consumer Affairs, Turks and Caicos Islands, said the information shared will be used to explore ways in which the Department can strengthen its approach to financing and supporting MSMEs. “The presentations on Ecosystem Enhancements to Support MSMEs, Current Trends and Practices in Financing the Creative, Innovative and Cultural Industries and A Case for Greater Utilisation of Business Support Services to Enhance the Sustainability of MSMEs provided an opportunity to learn about programmes, grants and other initiatives that exist to support MSMEs and the growth of alternative industries. This is especially important to the Turks and Caicos Islands having recently established a Department of Trade, Industry and Consumer Affairs which bears overall responsibility for facilitating broad based economic growth and sustainable development. This includes developing mechanisms aimed at encouraging entrepreneurial activity, creativity and innovation.”

To read the full article visit the CDB website on: https://www.caribank.org/newsroom/news-and-events/regional-dfi-conference-focused-strengthening-frameworks-sustainable-banking-environment.

You may also wish to visit the Department’s website at www.gov.tc/trade to learn more about the Department and to keep up to date on latest news and information on local events and training.