Strengthening MSME digitalisation and export readiness in Saint Lucia
The Ministry of Commerce, Manufacturing, Business Development, Cooperatives and Consumer Affairs (through its Small Business Development Centre Unit) launched the St. Lucia MSME Marketing & Digitalisation and Technical Assistance Programme as part of its support to small businesses in Saint Lucia.
Globally Cool, working alongside Kisserup International Trade Roots Inc., helped design and deliver the programme. The aim was to help MSMEs improve their marketing, make better use of digital tools, strengthen their online presence, and build a stronger base for future export activity.
Year
2025 – 2026
Country
Saint LuciaType of activity
- Digital Marketing
- Globally Cool Academy
- Onsite training
- Webinars
Activities
- Conducted a needs assessment to understand where participating MSMEs needed the most support, especially in marketing, digital tools, online payments, and export readiness.
- Developed a practical training programme focused on marketing strategy, digital visibility, AI tools, online payments, and the basics of export readiness.
- Delivered hybrid training sessions through both in-person and online workshops, making it easier for businesses across Saint Lucia to take part.
- Facilitated action planning and performance tracking so that participants could turn ideas into clear next steps and measure progress more effectively.
- Provided one-to-one technical assistance to support businesses with topics such as digital marketing, social media, e-commerce, payment systems, and export preparation.
- Reviewed participants’ digital presence and shared practical feedback on websites and social media channels for businesses that needed extra support.
- Shared follow-up guidance after coaching sessions to help participants continue putting the advice into practice.
Results
- Trained 100 MSMEs across four cohorts, through a mix of in-person and virtual delivery.
- Achieved exceptionally high satisfaction: > 90% of respondents rated the programme 8/10 or above, with 67% giving a 10/10 rating.
- Extended hands-on technical support to 100+ MSMEs through coaching (including live one-to-one sessions and structured digital presence reviews), exceeding the minimum coaching target.
- Strengthened MSME capability in structured marketing planning, AI-enabled marketing, and practical export readiness awareness.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is MSME digitalisation and why is it important for small businesses?
MSME digitalisation refers to the integration of digital tools, platforms, and data-driven systems into business operations and marketing. For small enterprises, digitalisation improves competitiveness, expands market reach, enables online payments, strengthens brand positioning, and supports long-term resilience in both domestic and export markets.
2. Did the programme include AI tools for marketing?
Yes. A key component of the programme focused on AI-enabled marketing tools, helping MSMEs use artificial intelligence for content generation, customer targeting, performance analysis, and marketing optimisation in a practical, business-ready manner.
3. Why are marketing KPIs important for MSMEs?
Marketing Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) allow MSMEs to measure return on investment, track customer engagement, monitor sales funnels, and make informed decisions. The programme introduced structured KPI frameworks to foster a stronger measurement culture among Saint Lucian businesses.
4. How does hybrid delivery improve MSME capacity-building programmes?
Hybrid delivery—combining in-person and virtual learning—improves accessibility, flexibility, and national reach. In this programme, hybrid delivery enabled participation from businesses across Saint Lucia while maintaining structured, high-quality engagement.
5. What are digital payment systems and why do MSMEs need them?
Digital payment systems enable businesses to accept online transactions securely and efficiently. Improving digital payment readiness helps MSMEs increase sales conversion, serve international customers, and participate in e-commerce and export markets.