The Dominican Manufacturers Association (DMA) is organizing a youth symposium to get youths interested in manufacturing. The programme will expose youths to the manufacturing process as well as get them involved in manufacturing opportunities. The theme of the symposium is “Igniting the Wheels of Production” and it commences on Tuesday, November 26 at the Dominica Public Service Union building at 8:30 in the morning.
According to the organizers, the event will focus on three major areas where youths are expected to benefit from. These areas are –
- Stimulation of interest among youngsters in the manufacturing industry
- Stimulation of resumption of operations in moribund manufacturing companies
- Provide innovative youths with opportunities for employment, investment, management and ownership of manufacturing facilities
Informed youths and invitees have expressed interest in the event, citing the importance of getting youths involved in manufacturing and resurrecting dead manufacturing companies back to life. This is very important because the manufacturing sector in Dominica is considered inoperative, considering that some manufacturing companies have either collapsed or relocated outside of the island following Hurricane Maria.
A case in point according to industry experts is the collapse of Bello Products company following Hurricane. The company manufacturing Kubuli Beer and Loubiere Spring Water also relocated to St. Vincent following the devastation of the hurricane. Various producers of coconut cheese, virgin coconut oil, and other coconut-based products also left Dominica when the hurricane destroyed coconut plantations and there are no longer raw materials for their products.
Youth attendees to the symposium will be able to pitch innovative ideas for manufacturing ventures at the programme, and investors as well as existing companies will be able to fund these ideas and get them up and running. New startups may emerge as a result of the event, and this development will be a big boost to the manufacturing sector in the country.
Leaders of political parties have been invited to make presentations on their plans for the manufacturing sector in the light of youth development, given the coming December 6 elections. The Invest Dominica Authority (IDA), CREAD, existing companies, new startups, potential investors and financial institutions are all invited to participate in the symposium.
Manufacturers and service providers will be able to exhibit their products and services and interact with attendees and participants on how to move the industry forward. Young folks who want a career in the manufacturing sector will also be able to interact with investors and other likeminded folks on how to get started in the sector. The ultimate objective will be getting the wheels of production rolling again across various sectors in Dominica.
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