The Dominican Republic Embassy in Jamaica and WiPay recently collaborated to empower artisans during the inaugural Dominican Week JA. The artisans, carefully selected by the Foderate Association, showcased a diverse range of products, including jewelry, paintings, cigars, handmade accessories, and crafts at business forums held in February at the AC Hotel in Kingston.
WiPay, a fintech company providing a range of products and services for payment processing, offered a payment solution to facilitate transactions between artisans and their buyers.
Executive Director of Foderate, Ramon Guillen stated that this is the first time we are traveling to Jamaica, and it has been a great experience sharing a part of our homeland with others not just from Jamaica but other Caribbean countries and around the world.” Amashika Lorne, Operations Manager for WiPay Jamaica, reiterated this sentiment, stating that “the company’s mission of financial inclusion for all made it an easy decision to partner with the embassy to support the eight (8) artisans.”
(Contributed photo)
WiPay’s technology proved to be user-friendly, even for artisans with limited English proficiency. Ms. Lorne conducted a training session that incorporated her use of Spanish, making it possible for the artisans to conduct purchases by attendees of the forums with ease.
This collaboration was deemed a success by the Counselor Minister of the Dominican Republic, Miguel Balaguer, who was pleased with the exposure and opportunities the artisans received during DR Week JA. Amashika shared that “hundreds of thousands of Jamaican dollars were processed by WiPay Jamaica during the week-long activities”.
The week of events culminated in an inauguration of a permanent exhibition of the artisans’ work at the Dominican Republic Embassy in Jamaica. This week of activities not only empowered the artisans but also promoted cultural exchange, increased bilateral ties, and business expansion between the two Caribbean countries.
