The Anguilla Chamber of Commerce and Industry had its Annual General Meeting (AGM) in the Aurora Resort and Golf Course ballroom on Wednesday morning. Keynote Speaker Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health Mr. Merwyn Foster Rogers spoke on rising above covid challenges in business. During his speech, he gave a PowerPoint presentation that listed several ways businesses can operate during a pandemic. Some tips included: Staying informed by seeking information from health officials and trusting sources, identifying your core products and services essential to the survival of your business, being prepared to change your business practices if needed, and having thorough communications with your customers and employees. He remarked that business owners with 15 employees or more will now be able to import covid tests regularly for employees. Training in conducting covid testing will also be provided.
The Chamber was able to secure funding from the Caribbean Development Bank and Caribbean Technological Consultancy Services Network for the Backing Winners Programme. Participants in the programme will receive training sessions on five core business topics and have two free days of specialist consultancy in both finance and marketing to prepare their business for growth. President of the ACOCI Board, Mrs. Vida Llyod observed: “What we know for sure coming out of an experience for the last twenty-two months is that in an era of uncertainty resilience is critical. All businesses must find ways to cut costs, boost cash flow, strengthen their balance sheet, maintain simple systems, maintain the human touch, increase customer satisfaction, better customer focus, and go digital. The future is digital.” She said that the next decade is all about digital and gave examples of how working remotely can save time, especially when working with individuals in different time zones.
In addition, three new persons will join the continuing members of the Boards of Directors. Those persons are Daryl Thompson, owner of Alloyd Enterprises Ltd, Merlanih Lim, owner of Meritus Legal, and Donald Curtis owner of Caribbean Insurance Solutions. The Board will select from among themselves a president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, and three supporting directors.
Guest Speaker, Simon Fricker, Managing Director of Aurora Anguilla Golf Course and Spa, claimed that sustainable tourism has been achieved in Anguilla despite challenges with the covid pandemic. He remarked that it was a result of proper care that was placed in Anguilla’s tourism industry. He noted: “Speaking to a lot of travel agents and guests, a lot of guests come here because they feel safe here.” He also spoke about creating even more sustainability and accessibility on the island, and suggested two ways to achieve this – adding additional flights to the airport and better recycling stating – ‘this is only the beginning.’
