The Dominica Manufacturers Association (DMA) is organizing a national symposium targeted at stepping up production for national growth and empowerment. The theme of the programme is “Stepping Up Production” and it is billed to hold at the Goodwill Parish Hall on Thursday, February 27, 2020.
Some of the keynote speakers at the event include –
- Dr. Peter Alfred – holder of MBA in Finance and Ph.D in Economic Development Policy
- OECS Competitive Business Unit
- Invest Dominica Authority
- Jolly’s Manufacturing
- Dominica Bureau of Standards
- US Embassy Representative in Barbados
The 2020 DMA Symposium is intended to reposition the manufacturing sector and make it a major contributor to national growth and development. It is anticipated that this will not only increase Dominica’s exports to other countries or stabilize the nation’s economy, it is hoped that the initiative will also reverse the island’s trade deficits.
According to the President of the DMA, Severin McKenzie, local manufacturers will have the opportunity of displaying their products at the venue of the programme and selling them at discounted prizes to participants and other customers alike. He noted that the activities of the cottage industry have gone down since Hurricane Maria destroyed many businesses and made raw materials scarcer.
John Robin, the PRO for the DMA and manager of Benjo Seamoss, said people outside the island believe so much in Dominica’s products. He said that young people have the creative and innovative potentials to create jobs through the manufacturing process instead of looking for non-existent jobs. He tasked young people to produce things that could be exported outside the island and those that will serve the needs of the people within the island.
“Because of our Nature Island image, people believe in Dominica’s products. They trust Dominica’s products and we are confident that if we are able to harness the amount of potential that is in manufacturing, we will do very well,” Robin stated.
Presentations at the event will focus on product manufacturing, packaging, quality sustenance, fiscal incentives, business collaboration, technical supports, and access to US markets.
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