Photo Credit: Mr. Ronnielle Frazer/GIS Wednesday, November 11 – The Department of Trade and Consumer Affairs is reporting much enthusiasm among local designers who are forging ahead with plans to establish a local design network in the Territory.
The network is an initiative of the Export Development Unit (EDU) of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). At a meeting Monday with the EDU’s Business Development Officer Mrs. Jennifer Julien-Laudat, the designers welcomed the idea and gave a firm commitment to establishing the local network.
“It was a very good meeting and the commitment of the participants was very encouraging,” Mrs. Julien-Laudat told the Department of Information and Public Relations in an interview following Monday’s meeting.
“The BVI designers have committed to establishing a local network and they have already set November 18 as the date for a follow-up meeting,” she added. Mrs. Laudat revealed that Ms. Carol Smith was selected as the BVI representative for the OECS Design Network which will be comprised of representatives from all OECS member states.
In her remarks to designers at the meeting, Mrs. Laudat emphasised the importance of enhancing design capacity in the region, improving competitiveness and forging partnerships between designers and producers.
She also cited a need for linkages between the creative and tourism sectors. “Tourism is a ready market for the products designed and produced in these islands. When you think about the number of hotels operating in the Caribbean, if designers were to design their furniture, craft and accessories and producers, produce them, we would not have enough designers and producers to meet the demand.
Permanent Secretary in the Premier’s Office Mrs. Rosalie Adams also addressed the designers during their half-day meeting, reiterating the need for communication first and foremost among the designers themselves, then between designers and Government. “It is important that you come together as a group to discuss the issues confronting you and then to work collaboratively with Government on ways to address these issues. I am happy with the first step you have taken here today and I encourage you to continue the process of networking,” Mrs. Adams stated.
The meeting between the OECS EDU and the local designers was coordinated by the Department of Trade and Consumer Affairs. Director Ms. Lizette George said it was encouraging to see the number of designers in attendance. “It is reflective of your individual and collective desire to bring your business to another level. This is very encouraging and I would like to reassure you of the commitment of the Department of Trade and Consumer Affairs to help ensure that local products reach regional and international markets.”
Close to 20 of the Territory’s designers attended Monday’s. Their areas of work spanned a variety of areas including beaded craft, photography, pottery, jewellery design and repair, woodwork, clothing, swimwear, graphic, interior and reprographic design.
The OECS EDU is spearheading the initiative to set up national design networks in all OECS member states. Representatives from these bodies will participate in the soon to be established sub-regional OECS Design Network, which will operate under the umbrella of the Caribbean Design Network, launched in Jamaica in February this year.
Photo Caption: Local designers in attendance at Monday’s meeting listen with rapt attention as OECS EDU Business Development Officer Mrs. Jennifer Julien-Laudat makes her presentation.
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