The ceremony celebrates the very best of the small business sector which comprises well over 70 percent of businesses in Saint Lucia.
The Saint Lucia Industrial and Small Business Association (SLISBA) will host the National Awards for Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) on Saturday.
The ceremony, known as the Excellence in Entrepreneurship Awards, will recognize, among others, the Manufacturer of the Year, Youth Entrepreneur of the Year, and the Creative Business of the Year.
It will, for the first time be held in the island's south, at the Coconut Bay Resort and Spa, and carried live on Calabash TV from 6:30 p.m.
These awards celebrate the very best of the small business sector which comprises well over 70 percent of businesses in Saint Lucia. The SMME sector is seen as a key driver of the local economy with businesses operating and generating employment in every part of the country.
It is also a celebration of businesses in the southern half of the island as about 60 percent of the nominees come from the area stretching from Dennery to Soufriere, inclusive of Micoud and Vieux-Fort.
The following table lists the nominees and the categories they have qualified for.
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Manufacturer of the Year
Rainforest Foods
Viking Traders
Tenderoni Foods
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Retailer of the Year
Eroline’s Supermarket
Dilly’s Supermarket
Penny Mart
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Wholesaler of the Year
Green’s Wholesale
South well Inc.
Uptown Liquor Store
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Agri-Business of the Year
Hill J Farms
Hylyne Poultry Farm
Island Sweet Farms
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Health/Wellness
Business Person of the Year
Dr. Almus Mac Dowell
Candy Nicholas
Mother Earth
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Most Outstanding Nail Technician
Krusha’s Nail Design
Melita Ashford
Tessa’s Nail Design
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Most Outstanding
Auto – Mechanics Establishment
Eastern Supplies and Services
Auto Specialist
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Food Service Provider of the Year
Food fiesta
June’s Catering
Orlando’s Restaurant and Bar
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Service Provider of the Year Professional
Fabiana Cheddy
Infinity Desktop Publishing and Typing Services
Errands Courier Services
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Entrepreneur of the Year
Cost U Less Boutique
Eagles Freight and Brokerage and Services
RJB Hotel Supplies
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Hair Dresser of the Year
Final Touch Unisex Salon
Hair Salon 2000
Phylilis Montoute
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Barber of the Year
Miah Jaoon Walter
Jeffers Bideau
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Special Awards:
Youth Entrepreneur of the Year
SLISBA President’s Award for Membership
Coconut Vendor of the Year
Creative Business of the Year
Fisherwoman of the Year
Fisherman of the Year
Roadside Vendor of the Year
Long Standing Family Owned Business
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