In collaboration with the chamber of commerce of the Dutch side (COCI), the Saint-Martin Interprofessional Consular Chamber (CCISM) organizes, from 16 au 19 novembre, a business trip to Miami for Saint-Martin companies wishing to expand their exports to the "Gateway to the Americas"Wednesday, August 26th an information meeting allowed the project to be presented to entrepreneurs.
The initiative, led by Tamara LeonardThe president of the Sint Maarten Chamber of Commerce starts with an observation: why do American supermarkets offer Jamaican, Dominican, or Haitian products, but none from Sint Maarten, Saint Martin, Curaçao, Saba, or Anguilla? “We import, we import, but don't you think it is It's time we, too, started exporting "?", she asked the twenty or so entrepreneurs present.
Organized with several chambers of commerce of the Lesser AntillesThis trip should allow participants to meet, over three days, the various stakeholders necessary for setting up a business in Miami: investors, distributors, potential clients and administrative partnersWorkshops will also be organized beforehand to prepare the companies. The choice of Miami is not insignificant. A true international business hub, the city boasts more than 1.400 multinational companies and maintains close ties with the Caribbean.
55 companies from Sint Maarten already registered
The trip, offered to $1.850, excluding airfare and accommodationincludes local transportation, workshops and participation in a B2B meeting [business to business]. The COCI also negotiated benefits with several accommodation establishments.
Tiguidé Diakité, founder of Ti'guide, a business tourism company, says she is interested but finds the cost high for her small business. “Paying for the plane ticket seems normal to me, but the accommodation… I would appreciate it if the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) would contribute something.” She does, however, acknowledge the opportunity: “If I had taken the necessary steps to participate in such an event in Miami on my own, it would have cost me $10.000.”
On the Dutch side, the project already seems to be gaining traction: 55 companies have registered to participate in the trip following the initial information meeting held on July 17th at the COCI. It remains to be seen how many entrepreneurs from the French side will also make the trip in November. _DR
