Found at: http://www.anguillaguide.com/article/articleprint/725/-1/135/
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ACOCI Presentation Attracts Large Attendance
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Over 100 invited guests, representing a cross-section of the private and public sectors of Anguilla, attended a presentation held by the Anguilla Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACOCI) at Cocoloba Resort on January 22. Among the visiting officials were Vice President for Commerce from the Barbados Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Grady Carter, and Daniel Arthurton and Angela Brice two representatives of the Caribbean Regional HRD programme for Economic Competitiveness—a CIDA-funded project.
The theme of the presentation was Unity and Protecting Business in Anguilla. The first speaker Mr. Marcel Fahie, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance and Economic Development spoke about the need for the business community to put aside isolationist practices and join together to become an effective force for altering the course of commerce and industry in Anguilla. He asked that the community consider the word “facilitate” as an alternative to “protect” with respect to sustainable development and urged each business person to consider the value of collective efforts and the substantial economic rewards which would result in a vibrant and strong Chamber of Commerce.
Guest Speaker, Grady Clark, traced some of the history of his 170-year-old organisation to the present day and the current technology which enables Chambers all over the world not to only resource each other but provide a formidable resource to all persons who seek information from Chambers. He presented Calvin Bartlett, Executive Director of the ACOCI, with two resource directories and a CD of a resource data base. This gift was given in the spirit of willingness by the Barbados Chamber of Commerce to be a working partner in the current endeavour of the ACOCI to reinforce its membership base and establish itself firmly in Anguilla. Mr. Grady spoke of the need for unity; and pointed out that it was the collective membership of the Chamber which defines the effectiveness, value and vibrancy of the Chamber.
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Executive Director Calvin Bartlett addressing meeting
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The final speaker was Mr. Bartlett who, with considerable passion, presented the vision of the ACOCI beyond 2003. He said that in order to recruit members there was a need to articulate and illustrate the role of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in relation to the public sector and the private sector which it represents. He gave a clear presentation of the task-specific mission of a Chamber and its value to membership ranging from acting as liaison to Government on issues pertaining to relevant legislation to assisting potential investors in identifying resources within the country to facilitate and realize their investment. He spoke of the programs and projects which the Chamber would be in a position to sponsor and develop if the membership of the Chamber reached numbers of sufficient quantity to meet requirements for the funding of those initiatives.
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Some of the invited guests at the meeting
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The meeting concluded with a general question and answer period followed by informal discussions as the guests mingled among their colleagues and associates. Information about membership in the Anguilla Chamber of Commerce and Industry can be obtained from the offices of the ACOCI at 497-2839 or email: acoci@anguillanet.com. The Chamber’s website address is: www.anguillachamber.com.
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Other guests at the meeting
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