The Dominica Association of Industry and Commerce thanks all who supported and partnered during 2020 as the Chamber advanced its mandate to support its membership and Private Sector Development in Dominica.
Executive Director of DAIC, Lizra Fabien shares, “The year was indeed a test of our resilience. While COVID-19 posed significant challenges to us as individuals, a business community, and a country, we pivoted quickly and found innovative solutions to the many unprecedented challenges. As we managed risk and resilience through a multi-hazard, multi-sector, and multi-stakeholder approach, we learned many lessons that will help us forge a stronger future.”
The DAIC shared a report on some of the highlights of our 2020 Calendar year with its members. These included advocacy efforts, membership trends, media engagements, major events, and featured photos.
Throughout the past year, the Chamber has advocated for many causes to national, regional, and international bodies. Some of these causes were: the enhancement of country response and risk mitigation to COVID-19 through participation on the national COVID-19 task force, 2020-2021 National Budget Submissions and Discussions, enhancement of financial literacy among the business community to increase absorption of available finance, reduction of losses by the private sector through the implementation of prevention measures, the negotiation of extensions of tax payments, increased regional programme and resource support for local Private Sector development, among others.
During the year, the membership increased by ten percent with the diversification of membership in size and location, the Chamber conducted research including surveys among members and other private sector enterprises to enhance advocacy and public and private sector decision making, 25% of the Membership were connected to new trade markets regionally and internationally, young entrepreneurs and prospective members were also facilitated through DAIC to receive capacity building support, and Members received training in areas identified such as Financial Management, Energy Management, Business Development.
President of DAIC, Stephen Lander stated, “There is still a high degree of uncertainty around how things will develop in 2021. Businesses must find the delicate balance between positioning themselves to take advantage of a positive turnaround and mitigate against the effects of a protracted recovery. The Chamber’s support function is probably more relevant now than ever in its history.”
Fabien also noted, “We look forward to continuing to work very closely with all members and partners in 2021 and beyond as we strengthen our advocacy, membership, and partnerships for the advancement of our Private Sector and Dominica. As we push forward, we hope to expand our representation of the business community through increased membership, and leverage new and existing partnerships to deliver on our mandate.”
The Board of Directors and Staff of the DAIC wish all a prosperous, resilient, and happy 2021!
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