Making micro businesses more visible

Through its 2nd Creole in the Streets (CITS) Trade Expo, the National Development Foundation of Dominica (NDFD) will help 50 individuals showcase their local products and services.

The 2nd CITS will be held on October 23; 50 individuals will display their products and services on Great Marlborough Street from 8:00 am – 8:00 pm.

The event will also feature performances from local cultural groups and a domino competition sponsored by sponsors Dominica Brewery and Beverages Limited.

The objectives of the CITS are to create an awareness of the high quality products available, provide marketing and advertising opportunities for small and micro businesses, and secure orders and customers, said CITS Public Relations Officer Carrie Charles Thomas at the media launch of CITS on October 12.

She added that Expo will also develop export potential of the small and micro businesses and create linkages with visitors during the Independence season.

Additionally, Ferdina Frampton the representative of LIME, the CITS's gold sponsor urged the participants of the expo to display their best products on the day of the event.

"Local is just as good as anything else that we get but let us present it very well to make sure when persons come to patronize and come to purchase that they have something of substance," said Frampton.

Meanwhile, Executive Director of NDFD, Cletus Joseph said that CITS is not just a mere function but an event with a difference.

"It is not the traditional bacchanal and party, we need to show that we are worth a lot more," said Joseph.

Joseph added this expo serves as an opportunity to show that Dominicans are resilient and creative people with the ability to use what they have to get what they want.

He noted that this will be done by using local products and their skills to create a product or service that the wider community deserves.

Joseph added that he would like to see more local businesses build awareness of the products and services.

"We need as local businesses to build that sought of brand awareness and branding for our products and get our people locally to use and consume more of what we produce locally," he said.