The St. Lucia Chamber of Commerce will host the 140th Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 27, November 2024.
The Annual General Meeting is the highest decision-making body of the Chamber where members exercise the right to elect members to serve on the Board of Directors of the Institution for one year.
All Board Members can stand for reelection while at the same time all positions are open and can be filled from amongst all members in good standing. Representatives must be Senior Management Staff who can represent the interest of the Business Community and nation on the Chamber.
Additionally at the AGM, reports from the President, Executive Director and Audited Financial Statements will be presented.
Please remember the Chamber is a membership business organization and as a national institution we seek to represent the views of members and not that of individual members of Board Members.
I urge Members to offer themselves and give of their time to this venerable organization that continues to play a decisive role in the Country. I look forward to members making known their interest in serving the Chamber.
St. Lucia is moving closer towards implementing HS Heading 2022. After many years of delay St. Lucia will soon be migrating from HS Heading 2016. Businesses are urged to keep the airs and eyes open for more information from the Chamber as you will have to prepare and make many changes internal when this migration takes place. PLEASE TAKE NOTE
Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a vital opportunity to recognize the impact of breast cancer on individuals and families. This year’s theme, "No One Should Face Breast Cancer Alone," emphasizes the importance of community support and connection. Acknowledge this cause by educating yourself about risk factors. Join the campaign by wearing pink every Friday starting October 4, 2024, to show solidarity. Together, we can raise awareness and ensure that no one faces this journey alone.
let’s make a difference!
Use the link below to gain access to form allowing you to register for a campaign to spread the awareness of Breast Cancer.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1pcoBG_jHGUzvJarAzAJfF-r5fekhgeGMwv4NTrckJEA/edit?usp=sharing
It’s Time to Prioritize Mental Health in the Workplace—Starting with Leadership
“It is Time to Prioritize Mental Health in the Workplace,” the theme for this year’s World Mental Health Day. The annual observance, led by the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH) in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO); aims to raise awareness and mobilize efforts to support mental health around the globe. This year's theme, "It is Time to Prioritize Mental Health in the Workplace," emphasizes the urgent need to make mental well-being a core component of workplace culture and policies.
The focus is on creating environments that support mental health for all employees, from frontline workers to senior leaders. The observance encourages businesses to integrate mental health practices, foster open discussions, and develop strategies that address the unique challenges faced in different work settings.
Shifting the Focus: Let’s Talk About Mental Health at the Top
When discussing mental health in the workplace, the conversation often centers on employees. I admit that I, too, tend to default to this perspective. Recently, I was called out on a project for not placing enough emphasis on the mental well-being of leaders. It's not that in my presentation, the importance of leadership wasn’t recognized; but I was made aware that compared to the full body or work, I had only dedicated a few lines to leadership. Is it case of “To whom much is given, much is expected”? Or perhaps it may simply be a matter of numbers. When most of the workforce is at levels below senior leadership, it’s easier to see the impact on employees simply because of the sheer numbers involved.
(Click picture for rest of Article)
The Saint Lucia Chamber of Commerce, Industry, and Agriculture was proud to host an interactive photobooth at the Julien Alfred Homecoming Concert held on Friday, September 27th, at the Daren Sammy Cricket Grounds. The event celebrated our very own world-class sprinter, Ms. Julien Alfred, and attracted a large crowd eager to share in the festivities.
Our photobooth, co-sponsored by Fineline Graphics, offered patrons a truly unique experience. Visitors were able to pose with an exclusive alternative reality video image of Ms. Alfred herself, specially created for the event. This cutting-edge concept had never been seen before locally, and attendees were thrilled to participate, snapping photos for free with the celebrated athlete. With the touch of a button, hundreds of patrons were emailed their personalized photos, a memento of their participation in this national celebration.
The Chamber is grateful to Fineline Graphics for their partnership in bringing this innovative idea to life. We acknowledge that it required considerable effort to make this a reality, and the positive response from the public confirms that the effort was well worth it.
Our sincere thanks also go to Ms. Julien Alfred and her manager, Mr. Henry Rolle, for their support. Not only did they graciously permit the use of Ms. Alfred’s image, but they also made time from their busy schedule for us to capture the necessary video footage that brought the alternative reality experience to life.
The Chamber would also like to extend our appreciation to our generous members — AIM, FLOW, Hewanorra Air Cargo Services, and LUCELEC. Their contributions, ensured that our booth was comfortable and sheltered from the elements, allowing patrons to enjoy the experience fully.
On September 6th, the St. Lucia Chamber of Commerce held a productive meeting with Mr. Shane Nicholls, Country Director for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, UK Department of Business and Trade (DBT), and Ms. Claire Nichols, Interim Resident British Commissioner. Representing the Chamber were Mr. Ross Gardner (President), Mr. Nicholas Barnard (First Vice President), and Ms. Kamille Huggins (Membership Development Officer). This meeting aimed to explore trade opportunities and discuss challenges between St. Lucia and the UK, marking the start of what is hoped to be a fruitful partnership.
Key Trade Challenges Discussed
A significant topic raised during the meeting was the Air Passenger Duty (APD), a high tax imposed on long-distance travel from the UK, which impacts British tourism to the Caribbean. The Chamber emphasized that the tax makes St. Lucia a more expensive destination compared to European counterparts, potentially hindering tourism, a critical sector of the local economy.
Additionally, there was discussion about the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the UK and the EU, which provides duty-free access for goods. However, many businesses in St. Lucia have not yet taken full advantage of the trading opportunities under the agreement. The Chamber pointed out that some UK exporters are unaware of the necessary steps, such as certificates of origin, for tax-free trading. As a result, some St. Lucian importers have had to pay unnecessary VAT on UK imports, raising the cost of trade and discouraging the use of the EPA's benefits.
Another challenge discussed was the misunderstanding of UK sea and air freight rates, which are sometimes perceived as high but are considered reasonable by the Chamber. Proper communication on this issue is seen as key to promoting smoother trade relations.
Opportunities for Growth and Collaboration
Despite these challenges, the meeting also highlighted numerous opportunities for collaboration. Mr. Nicholls outlined several sectors where the UK is keen to promote trade, including education, defence and security, infrastructure, healthcare, clean growth, agritech, and food and drink. These areas present substantial growth opportunities for St. Lucian businesses, particularly in sectors where the UK has strong expertise.
Mr. Nicholls also discussed UK Export Finance (UKEF), the United Kingdom’s Export Credit Agency which helps facilitate trade by providing financial guarantees. Through UKEF, St. Lucian businesses can access a pot of up to £250 million financing to execute projects provided there is a minimum level of UK content under favorable terms. This could help local businesses expand their trade relationships with both UK and international suppliers.
Looking Ahead: Trade Mission and Continued Dialogue
One of the most exciting outcomes of the meeting was the announcement of a UK Trade Mission in 2025, offering St. Lucian businesses an opportunity to explore new markets and establish connections with potential partners in the UK. This mission aligns with the DBT’s priorities and will provide Chamber members a chance to expand their reach and capitalize on new trade possibilities.
Both parties expressed satisfaction with the discussions and committed to ongoing communication. The Chamber is optimistic that this dialogue will lead to stronger UK-St. Lucia trade relations, overcoming existing barriers while unlocking new opportunities for economic growth. Looking forward to further engagements, the Chamber encourages members to participate in this evolving relationship with the UK.
The Chamber remains dedicated to promoting collaboration and ensuring that its members are well-positioned to take advantage of the upcoming trade mission and other opportunities.
The St. Lucia Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with the Inland Revenue Department, announces “Filing Taxes Made Simple” Workshop.
This is a highly informative half-day workshop which will equip small business owners and operators with the essential skills and knowledge required to manage their tax obligations (File their Taxes).
This event is part of the Chamber's ongoing program of business education and knowledge sharing in support of the SME Sector and is one of the many events and services under the Chamber's Smaller Membership Program.
By the end of the workshop "Filing Taxes Made Simple" participants will have the knowledge, information skills. ability and the confidence to file their taxes assured that they meet the requirements of accuracy and compliance of the Inland Revenue Department.
Register Now: Click on the flyer to register
The Inter Commercial House Domino Competition kicked off yesterday, October 8, 2024, at 6:30 PM, upstairs at the Castries Market.
This event promises to be an engaging and fun-filled opportunity for businesses to come together, to showcase their skills, foster camaraderie within the business community and to build inter firm team spirit over friendly rivalry.
This weeks Game Schedule : WEEK #2
MON. 14/10/24
14/10/24 Valley Cold Storage / Sagicor Life / St. Lucia fire Service Cox & Company Ltd. /Bel Jour Hotel / Ministry of Infrastructure
TUES. 15/10/24
M & C Home Depot / LUCELEC / Bel Jour Hotel
St. Lucia fire Service/ Ministry of Infrastructure/ Beachcomber
WED. 16/10/24
THURS. 17/10/24 LUCELEC / Valley Cold Storage / Ministry of Infrastructure/Beachcomber / Cox & Company Ltd. / Sagicor Life
The Accountant General's Department (AGD) is seeking to improve efficiency in business processes and therefore will be utilizing available technology to modernize its payment systems and processes.
To this end, the Department will be implementing in phases a chequeless Payment modality in the Financial Year 2024/2025. The objective of this initiative is to ensure that our payment systems are in keeping with future innovation that will improve the timeliness of effecting payments and ease of doing business.
A portal will be made available this year where suppliers of Goods and services to GOSL can input their bank information. In the interim, business may include their bank information on their invoices when transacting with GOSL.