Taiwan Technical Mission Supports SLISBA’s Women Entrepreneurship Showcase

By Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan)

Several female entrepreneurs recently showcased the fruits of their creativity at a fashion and cocktail event hosted by the Saint Lucia Industrial and Small Business Association (SLISBA).  

“Cocktails and Couture”, an annual event hosted by SLISBA, allows members involved in beauty and fashion to showcase some of their work and mingle with potential clients and buyers. This year’s event was held on Friday, March 17, 2023, from 7:00 p.m. at the Romanus Lansiquot Human Resource Centre in Entrepot, Castries.

In attendance were His Excellency Peter Chia-yen Chen and his wife; Mr. Daniel Lee, Head of the Taiwan Technical Mission (TTM) in Saint Lucia; other TTM officials; SLISBA members and supporters; and members of the private sector.

On show were items from Em’s Creations, Suzy’s Designs, SEAM Luxurious, Tew Crochetz, among others.

A key feature at this year’s event was showcasing the work of the newly-found company, ‘Beautiful You by Caribbean Women’, which was formed late last year after financial support from the Taiwan government. The Taiwan’s support funded the training of 35 women — 20 from Saint Lucia and 15 from St. Vincent and the Grenadines — in soap-making and garment construction through a Women’s Empowerment Project undertaken by the Caribbean Association for Feminist Research & Action (CAFRA).

“We felt the participants of this particular project had done some amazing work and thought they really deserved to be highlighted on a national stage,” said Flavia Cherry, President of SLISBA. “That’s why there was a significant highlighting of the fashion items done by the participants of the Taiwan-sponsored Women’s Empowerment Project.”