Cabinet Conclusion to Merge SBDC (formerly SEDU) and TEPA
March 2016, Cabinet Conclusion #1911 of 2016 was passed for the merger of two offices currently under the auspices of the Ministry of Commerce, Business Development, Investment and Consumer Affairs. The Small Business Development Centre (SBDC) and TEPA will be amalgamated to create a single new entity called the Saint Lucia Agency for Trade Promotion and Development of Enterprise, (TraDE Saint Lucia) effective 1 April 2016.
The marriage of these two entities, and their work programmes promises a seamless progression of services from start-up to export to the business community. This is also a practical and tactical move to physically house these services under one brand; one name; one entity. The Management and Staff of both entities recently held a retreat whereby the crafting of the new strategic plan and merger of their work programmes were discussed.
