The Department of Trade, Investment Promotions and Consumer Affairs will host its first Trade Entrepreneurial Week from April 3 to 7.

The event will be held under the theme: “Leveraging businesses through Sustainability, Innovation and Financial Accountability”.

Director Mrs. Karia Christopher said the week of activities will be held to ensure the public understands every component of the department.

Mrs. Christopher said, “Reiterating that local businesses are a strong part of any economy, a huge part of the department's mandate is to ensure a high level of excitement goes hand in hand with Trade Entrepreneurial Week, and its business relationships.”

The director added, “With Trade Entrepreneurial Week, the department is tailoring its services to better serve the BVI business community; supporting all entrepreneurs; doing things with a fresh perspective; going outdoors to meet the people, while creating and maintaining an atmosphere of excitement.”

The week will begin on Monday, April 3 with a press conference. Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith, OBE; Junior Minister for Trade and Investment Promotion Honourable Marlon Penn; and Director of Trade, Mrs. Christopher will be in attendance.

On Tuesday April 4, the entrepreneurial week Business Financial Management Seminar and POWER Move Graduation Ceremony will be held at UP’s Cineplex, at 9:00 a.m.

The department will also host an Open House on Wednesday, April 5, themed, “Open House under the Clear Blue Skies” outside its main offices at the Sebastian Building on Wickham’s Cay I from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. There will be LIVE entertainment, informational/ promotional items, and refreshments.

A cocktail reception featuring the “Best of BVI” Businesses Award Ceremony will be held on Thursday, April 6, at UP’s Cineplex, with presentations to outstanding businesses and entrepreneurs. The event begins at 6:30 p.m.

Mrs. Christopher stated, “In our continued efforts to increase entrepreneurship, the department saw a need to recognise businesses that persons utilise on a daily basis. The public will be given an opportunity to vote for fifteen different categories; businesses that the average resident utilises on a daily basis. Categories include Best Bank, Best Supermarket and Best Trucker to name a few.”

The department will host a workshop on Friday, April 7 in Virgin Gorda titled, “Maximise Your Marketing” from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Village Café conference room. This workshop is part of the Caribbean Overseas Small Medium Enterprises (COSME) programme.

The week’s activities will close on Thursday, April 20 with the School Entrepreneurial Spirit Competition at the Eileene L. Parsons Auditorium, H.L. Stoutt Community College at 5:30p.m. Groups of up to four from each participating secondary school will pitch their designs for a re-imagined school uniform. They will be judged for the innovation of their design and the quality and effectiveness of their delivery before a live panel of judges and audience. Prizes will include tours of regional and international university campuses.

Mrs. Christopher saidthe students will design and propose their "new" school uniforms similar to what is done on the TV show ‘Shark Tank.’ The young entrepreneurs will have to make a proposal to try to get their designs chosen for the win.  She added, “What is awesome about the competition is that students are gaining entrepreneurial knowledge, sharpening their public speaking and delivery skills, while proving their 'School Spirit'.”

Find out more about Trade Entrepreneurial Week online at www.bvi.gov.vg, use the hashtag #TEW2017, and follow the Government of the Virgin Islands on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. 

Photo Caption: Director of Trade, Investment Promotions and Consumer Affairs, Mrs. Karia Christopher (Photo Credit: GIS/Ronnielle Frazer)