The St. Lucia Chamber of Commerce recently hosted a successful presentation titled Critical Insurance Insights featuring industry expert Mr. Mulchan Caseram, Managing Director of Risk Consultants and Insurance Brokers Ltd.
The event addressed the growing concern of rising insurance costs in the region, coupled with limited understanding of the intricacies of insurance policies. Mr. Caseram, with his vast experience in the field, provided valuable insights into the current insurance landscape and offered practical advice on maximizing insurance coverage.
Attendees left the session with a clear understanding of the importance of adequate insurance coverage and the tools necessary to navigate the insurance market effectively. We believe this event made a significant contribution to fostering greater insurance literacy in our business community.
Minister with responsibility for St. Lucia's Citizenship by Investment Programme Dr. Ernest Hilaire, who is Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism, Investment, Creative Industries, Culture and Information, addressed the business community on Monday August 12, 2024 at the Chamber's Executive Luncheon held at Bay gardens Hotel.
St. Lucia’s Citizenship by Investment Programme (CIP), has been in the news with allegations being made by one, Philipe Martinez who has filed a lawsuit in the US against St. Kitts and Nevis and included St. Lucian actors in the lawsuit.
The Chamber had invited the Minister to provide information and clarify the issues surrounding the programme that many have described as a double-edged sword, where the country potentially can benefit from significant investment flows while other see the threat of undermining the value of national passports, travel (visa free) privileges and other associated infelicities. The address was titled “St. Lucia’s CIP Issues Challenges and the Way Forward”.
The Minister in his presentation aimed to provide attendees with an understanding of how the CIP works, and the strict procedures entailed in handling CIP applications.
Minister Hilaire also explained the different elements and options of the programs along with the various level of checks and balances involved in the process. Dr. Hilaire then went on to indicate that the allegations being made against the St. Lucia CIP came from one Phillippe Martinez who had no business with St. Lucia but operated in St. Kitts and Nevis.
Dr. Hilaire also indicated that the allegations and attempts to tarnish the name of the St. Lucia’s CIP by Mr. Martinez were being supported by the Opposition.
The Leader of the Opposition, Allen Chastanet, whose family business is a longstanding member of the Chamber, was in attendance and during the question-and-answer component of the Luncheon made some indelicate comments regarding the Minister and his presentation.
Chamber Executive Director was forced to urge Mr. Chastanet to be pointed in his questions and to minimize editorializing. The exchange between Mr. Chastanet and Mr. Hiliare was quite contentious and added some heat to the Executive Luncheon.
Unfortunately, the tone tainted the proceedings and hindered some members from asking some questions.
The Chamber prides itself in being an organization that has always created fora for open, frank dialogue, exchange of ideas, debating of contrary perspectives. Chamber fora have permitted the exploring of the profound and critical issues affecting business in the country, in an environment where all are respected, and all ideas and perspectives contend.
The Chamber regrets the discomfort that may have been created yet pledges to continue to be a thought leader where tough dialogues are encouraged and managed among its members and guests.
The Executive Luncheon did achieve some of its objectives, as members left with a better and clearer understanding of how the CIP works. Additionally, members were able to call for professionalism to be respected even in the face of differential political perspectives. It was also stressed that there was need for broad based national and bipartisan dialogue and discussion on the CIP and other critical issues leaving out the political rancor which currently dominates discussion on issues of national import and interest.
In closing remarks, Chamber President Mr. Ross Gardner expressed his gratitude to Minister Hilaire for taking time to dialogue and share critical information with the private sector and reaffirmed the Chamber’s commitment to being the driving force for sustainable business and community prosperity in St. Lucia. he located presentations and sharing of information with the business community as central to that process.
Mr. Gardner concluded by stressing that the Chamber will continue to work towards a shared and sustainable prosperity in St. Lucia.
The St. Lucia Chamber of Commerce is excited to invite you to our upcoming "Business After Hours" Mixer, hosted by Medical Air Services Association of St. Lucia Inc., Admac Ltd, and The Harbor Club. Join us for an evening of networking, connection, and collaboration at the stunning Sky Lounge.
Indulge in a delightful selection of wine, cheese, and sushi while you connect with fellow Chamber members, explore potential partnerships, and enjoy a relaxed evening with industry peers.
Be sure to secure your spot by registering through the link below.
We look forward to seeing you there and sharing a wonderful evening together!
Date: Friday, 30th August
Time: 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Location: Sky Lounge, The Harbor Club
The Government of St. Lucia has engaged the service of the former Comptroller of Inland revenue Mr. Trevor Brathwaite to conduct a review of the operations and quality of services provided to the general public and the business community. The intention is for the Consultant to recommend improvements to service delivery and other operations that will redound to the benefit of the institutions, its stakeholders and ultimately the nation.
In that regard the Consultant wishes to meet with Chamber Members to discuss their views and experiences they have had when engaging with the IRD so he can better appreciate the challenges and opportunities for reform and enhancement.
Thus a meeting has been scheduled for August 14th, 2024 at the Chamber's Conference Room from 2:30 p.m. This Meeting will be a ”Listening Session” where the Chamber Members can be heard and their views taken account of in the Consultant’s report and recommendations.
Please confirm your attendance by registering . It would be most useful if attendees would have had direct and regular interaction with the department when conducting the business of the company.
Thanking you in advance for your participation in this most crucial exercise.Click to register.
Ensuring that your firm is resilient is much more than being prepared for hurricanes or any adverse situation or natural disaster. Business Resilience is about your firms’ ability to recover and operate again after any type of disruption.
Developing a thorough Business Continuity Plan after conducting a disaster risk diagnosis and a risk assessment, remains a sure way of preparing and mitigating the many risks the modern business will face at some point in time. Cyber Risks, biological risks and pandemic risks, are some of the more spoken about risks that one must consider in addition to that posed by weather, natural and climatic conditions. How do you ensure that your business will be able to recover in a multi hazard risk environment. Click here for more information.
The St. Lucia Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Agriculture, will once again be hosting The Inter Commercial House Domino Competition scheduled to commence in September 2024.
This event promises to be a fun-filled opportunity for businesses to engage in friendly rivalry as they come together, to showcase their skills, foster camaraderie within the business community and to build firm team spirit.
Member firms are invited to form Teams among employees and register to participate in the Chamber Inter Commercial House Domino Championship.Click here to register.
Hurricane season officially began on June 1st and runs through November 30th. With heightened activity predicted for this year, we urge you to review and update your Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Plans. Please take the time to complete our Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Plan to ensure your business is prepared for any potential disruptions caused by hurricanes.
It is time once again to participate in the work of the Chamber as we continue to garner information from our members and other firms in the Business Community through the Chamber's Quarterly Business Performance Survey. This survey provides an indication of how the business community is performing and their perspective on critical economic issues affecting their operations.
The Business Performance Survey (BPS) is an independently conducted business survey that provides timely insight into the performance of the business sector. You are invited to contribute to the body of information that provides the Chamber, Government, regional and international institutions with critical and powerful insight into the performance of the economy.
Of equal and maybe more value is that the result of the BPS allows the Chamber to speak authoritatively and find ways to tackle the current issues affecting members. With this unique perspective and basis, we can properly advocate and lobby, on behalf of members, specifically on the impact of Government policy, and make informed recommendations in a timely manner.
Once again thank you for participating in the survey and please encourage your colleagues to do so, to help us achieve and glean a broader perspective.
As "the driving force for sustainable business and community prosperity in St. Lucia", the PBS information allows the Chamber to remain informed and credible as we speak on emerging economic trends, patterns and issues that will and are affecting the business community, economy and country on a whole.
The Survey is not very long and is easy to complete.
We value your input and thank you in advance for your timely completion of this Survey.
Click here to complete survey.
Brian Louisy
Executive Director