The Dominica Export Import Agency (DEXIA) is hoping to stimulate the purchase of local, handmade items as gifts for this holiday season as the Agency partners with four representative organisations to stage the Strictly Local Christmas Village, taking place at the Roseau Market from Wednesday December 19th to Friday December 21st 2018.
Members of the Waitukubuli Artist Association, the Dominica Health and Wellness Association, the Dominica Arts and Craft Producers Association and the Dominica Manufacturers Association will have various products available for sale at the event.
According to the Organising Committee Chairperson and Export Promotion Officer at DEXIA, Sharon Rolle, the main objective of the Strictly Local Christmas Village is “to sensitise Dominicans on the vast array of goods and services available on the island with a special emphasis on innovation and packaging of gift items.”
Following the passage of Hurricane Maria, where many producers sustained damage to and loss of inventory, this event is an opportunity to let the buying public know that these entrepreneurs from the art and craft, manufacturing and health and wellness sectors are producing again and in fact export ready.
President of the Dominica Arts and Craft Producers Association Lissa Vanessa Winston says that the Strictly Local Christmas Village is an opportunity to not only inform the public of what products are available for purchase, but one for vendors themselves to make strategic connections with each other and for the betterment of Dominica.
“The craft persons, for example, can join with health and wellness persons and create a package. If we develop our fellow brothers and sisters, that is the time that we know that we are developing our country as well.”
The Strictly Local Christmas Village is also appealing to tour operators to visit the Roseau Market with tourists, as there will be ships in port on all three days.
In the afternoons, there will be special entertainment from 4 pm. On Wednesday, the focus will be on spoken word with poetry, storytelling, kont, and choral speech presentations. Thursday there will be a fashion showcase from local designers showcasing clothing, jewellery and accessories and Friday will be musical expressions with local and traditional music.
Patrons can look forward to dips for products and coupons, a raffle of a gift basket featuring local products, photo opps with Papa Noel and tasty traditional treats like fruit cake, sorrel, and ginger beer.
The Christmas Village will be opened from 9am to 6pm on Wednesday and Thursday and 9am-8pm on Friday. It’s absolutely free and all are welcome.
ABOUT DEXIA
The Dominica Export Import Agency (DEXIA) is a public sector institution established by Act No. 14, and came into existence on July 1, 1986. DEXIA was created to spearhead the development of the export of Dominica’s agricultural and agro-processed products.
DEXIA focuses on six priority sectors (as laid out in the National Export Strategy), in which it would play a key role in building capacity and competitiveness. They are: Agriculture, Agro-processing, Energy and Natural Resources, Cultural Industries, Professional Business Services and Tourism.
In addition to exports, DEXIA is the sole importer of bulk rice and sugar in Dominica. The Agency also oversees two multipurpose pack houses in Roseau and Portsmouth respectively. The Export Promotion and Development Department, Commercial Department (which handles sale of rice and sugar), the Central Services Department (which deals with HR, administration) are all located at its office on the Dame Mary Eugenia Charles Boulevard,
The Agency functions as a Trade promotions Agency and is attached to the Ministry of Trade, Energy and Employment.
