St. LUCIA INDUSTRIAL & SMALL BUSINESS ASSOCIATION (SLISBA)
August 2, 2007
EDWARD HARRIS AT LARGE:
St. LUCIA INDUSTRIAL & SMALL BUSINESS ASSOCIATION (SLISBA) THE PAST, THE PRESENT AND THE FUTURE!!!
Twenty five continuous years in the life of any organization is commendable. SLISBA celebrates twenty five years of service to the business community in St. Lucia. In recognition of this significant milestone the Directors of SLISBA designated the month of August, 2007 as “SMALL BUSINESS MONTHâ€. This initiative was endorsed by the Ministry of Trade, Industry & Commerce and Senator, Hon. Guy Mayers officially launched the month of activities at a simple ceremony held at the Auberge Seraphine, Pt. Seraphine on Thursday, July 26, 2007.
The beginning – Looking back:
It is said that those who fail to remember the past are condemned to repeat it. I believe that the past instructs the future. It is against this background that I seek to draw to the attention of my readers, the struggles of SLISBA over the years. Looking at the business landscape 25 years ago when there was no representation of small businesses on the island, a group of small businesspersons got together and formed the Small Business Association in 1982. Mr. Steve Annius became its first President. Just around the same time operators in the fledging manufacturing sector organized representation through the St. Lucia Manufacturers Association under the leadership of Mr. Leo Clarke.
The Merger:
The two organizations struggled along for the first seven years at which point a strategic decision was taken to merger the two organizations and present a uniformed platform to represent small businesses in St. Lucia. The new organization was named St. Lucia Industrial & Small Business Association with the acronym SLISBA. The office was located in the Monplaisir Building on Brazil Street, Castries. Earlier Executive Directors include Ms. Claudia Jn Baptiste and Dr. Urban Seraphin.
The high and low periods of the Association:
As financial fortunes changed over time and the level of assistance varied, the Association delivery of service to its members was curtailed. The Association moved office several times. Sometimes members assisted by maintaining the office, meeting all expenses, others housed the association within their businesses but the core objective of the Association – ADVOCACY which continues up to this day was always maintained.
The withdrawal of USAID support from the Eastern Caribbean greatly affected the operations of SLISBA until 2005 when the Government granted the Association a subvention of one hundred thousand EC dollars (EC$100,000.00). This support was repeated in 2006.
Mr. Steve Annius recalled at the launching of Small Business Month, the enviable position SLISBA held as a private sector Association. Most Representatives from international agencies who visited St. Lucia called at the Secretariat to be briefed on developments in the small business sector. During the past twelve years there were a few companies that stood out in their support to the Association, namely: Roserie Group of Companies, Unique Printers and Speed Printing Services. The Managing Director of Speed Printing Services is a current member of SLISBA’s Board of Directors.
One thing that stands out over the years is the will of small businesspersons to maintain the presence of SLISBA. SLISBA has always maintained a presence and have been there for the business community in general. The records will attest to that fact. Members will come and go and return but two members have kept the faith over the years and have been active from the inception of SLISBA. They are Priestley Louison and Tedburt Theobalds who are members of the current Board of Directors. The longest affiliated member in the manufacturing sector is Mr. Peter Charles whose membership dates back to the merger.
SLISBA’s membership at its peak was in excess of 150. It has been noted that when there are challenges to the operations of business, membership is at its highest but when things are quiet, interest tends to be low. However, SLISBA has always been the fire engine ready to respond to fires whenever called upon.
SLISBA – A VITAL ENTITY IN PRIVATE SECTOR ADVOCACY:
SLISBA has continued over the years whenever called upon to participate fully in all initiatives promoted by the government and those in collaboration between the Government and international/regional agencies.
It was SLISBA, given its strong base of members in the manufacturing sector that moved to get Hon. Walter Francois, the then Minister of Commerce to resist Dominica’s position to do away with Article 56 and as a result the regime was extended for several years thereafter. The Chamber was fully supportive of the initiative.
SLISBA used its membership base of manufacturers to push for a St. Lucia Manufacturers Association as it was felt that the time had come for Manufacturers to stand on their own once again. The SMA made substantial gains in recent years and their members have benefited from many interventions and concessions by the Government. Many Manufacturers still maintain their membership in SLISBA.
Directors and members of SLISBA have served and chaired numerous Boards over the years and have contributed substantially to the economic development of the country.
Through the support of SLISBA many small businesses have grown substantially.
Apart from the Advocacy, SLISBA has always offered a platform for networking among its members.
The Present Term 2005- 2007:
SLISBA under the leadership of the current Board of Directors headed by Mr. Patrick H. Joseph since 2003 has overcome many challenges. After suffering a number of set backs in acquiring office space, including after equipping an office offered by FICS at no cost to the Association for 2 years, the building was completely destroyed by fire. Finally, in 2005 a Secretariat was established in the American Drywall Building, Vide Boutielle, Castries. The current Board of Directors comprises of the following persons:
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS – 2005/2007, Patrick H. Joseph – President, Hilton Jn. Baptiste – 1st Vice President, John Honora – 2nd Vice President, Callista Mc. Lawrence – Secretary, Priestley Louison – Treasurer, Vincent Doxerie – Member, Tedburt Theobalds – Member, Eldridge Stephens – Member.
Since the establishment of the Secretariat with a subvention from Government, a number of positive developments have occurred, namely:
a) SLISBA became a founding member of the Caribbean Association of Small & Medium Enterprises (CASME) based in Barbados. This is the umbrella organisation of Small Business Associations in the region and is headquartered in Barbados. The current President is Senator Sandra Husbands and the Executive Director is Ms. Lynette Holder.
The Small Business Association of Barbados and CASME continue to share their experiences with SLISBA and have met with Government Officials in the Ministry of Commerce.
b) Through CASME’s support SLISBA received assistance from Caribbean Export Development Agency (CEDA) for a Strategic Plan which was implemented in the first quarter of 2007.
c) The paid up Membership of the Association is at its highest in recent years. Quarterly Meetings for 2007 were held in Castries and Vieux Fort.
d) Relationships are being forged with Embassies, Regional and International Agencies and support is continuing from OPSR.
e) The Association has a new website which was funded by OPSR. Visit http://www.slisbastlucia.com
f) Advocacy and Networking continue to be the main platform of the Association.
g) With the support of VIP Consultants, SLISBA members participated in a Trade and Cultural Exhibition in Cayenne in 2006. A MOU was signed by the Mayor of Matoury and the President of SLISBA.
h) Mr. Edward Harris, former Secretary and President of SLISBA was recruited as Management Consultant in February, 2007.
The future:
The activities planned for the month of August – 2007 will expose the work of SLISBA to the nation. The 18th Annual General Meeting of the Association will be held on the 19th of August, 2007 and a new Board of Directors will be elected.
a) SLISBA is poised for a major thrust in improved collaboration with Government and other agencies, local, regional and international serving the SME sector.
b) Relationship with SEDU and OPSR will be strengthened.
c) SLISBA’s services to its membership will be substantially improved in the months ahead.
d) Training will be undertaken to equip members in the use of Computer programmes and the Internet.
e) Overseas trips to Trade Exhibitions and participation in Trade Fairs will be encouraged.
f) SLISBA will continue to actively participate in the Private Sector Council of St. Lucia.
The activities for the month of August – Small Business Month include the following:
August 5, 2007: Sunday 10.00 am Church Service – Catholic Church, La Clery.
13, 2007: Monday 6.00 pm Town Hall Meeting – Vieux Fort
15, 2007: Wednesday 6.00 pm Town Hall Meeting – Soufriere
19, 2007: Sunday 2.30 pm SLISBA 18th Annual General Meeting –
Fox Grove Inn, Mon Repos
25, 2007: Saturday 8.00 pm 25th Anniversary Dance – Nashville Palace,
Castries
25, 2007: Saturday 10.00pm 25th Anniversary Raffle Draw
August 30 – September 1, 2007: Thursday, Friday & Saturday 10.00 am – 6.00 pm – Small Business Expo, City Hall, Castries
It is going to take the cooperation of all stakeholders to ensure that the month of activities is a success, and their continued support to ensure future successes of the Association. If you can sponsor or contribute to the programmes scheduled for the month of activities, please contact the Secretariat – Tel: 452-7616, Fax 453-1023 Email: slisbaslu@gmail.com Small businesspersons are invited to participate fully in all the activities including the 3 day Small Business Expo. Make SMALL BUSINESS EXPO 2007 succeed.
You are invited to join SLISBA. Request an Application Form and the Flier – 25 REASONS FOR JOINING SLISBA! Be a part of a dynamic organization that ensures your representation in the private and public sectors. It is a great investment – Membership is only EC$160.00 per annum.
See you in church on Sunday. In the meantime, Keep the Faith, God is in Charge and Expect Miracles in 2007!
Edward A. Harris
Email: edharas@searchbigdaddy.com
Website: http://www.stluciasimplybeautiful.com
http://www.stluciarealtors.com