The event, at the World Trade and Convention Centre in Halifax, was held under the theme, “Where Atlantic Canada Meets the Caribbean: Commercial Opportunities Forum and Business Matchmaking.”

The Canadian business representatives were divided into six groups which met separately with a team from the OECS Secretariat to learn about the region and potential areas for investment, and to speak about their businesses and their interest in the region.

Presentations were made to the Canadians by OECS Director General Dr. Len Ishmael, Director of the Secretariat’s Economic Affairs Division Mr. Randolph Cato, Ms. Virginia Paul of the Trade Policy Unit, Ms. Athenia Henry of the Export Development Unit in Dominica, and Ms. Anita Joseph of the OECS Mission in Ottawa.

The approximately one hundred business representatives in attendance spoke of business operations ranging from ICT and new business to financial management, education, human resource training, light manufacturing, environment and climate change, marine engineering, the creative industries and more.

Organisers of the event hope the contacts made will lead to follow up meetings and the exploration of business opportunities in the region.

The OECS team was in Halifax as part of a Promote the OECS road show which will also take them to Ottawa and Calgary – a major growth area in Canada.