A unique feature of the St. Lucia Chamber of Commerce Governance DNA is that every year, all Members of the Board of Directors "retire" and are all eligible for Re-election".
This unique methodology was strongly defended many years ago by Members who said, "If any Board Member, President or Entire Board is not meeting the needs of members, we want to be able to take action as quickly as possible, we do not want to wait for two years".
So, while the tradition is that the President is expected to serve two one-year terms, the power is in the hands of members to make that decision.
The dynamic nature of business requires a Board that reflects a rapidly and constantly changing business environment and the Chamber wishes to constantly encourage "new blood" to think about serving the Chamber.
Thus, as we approach the AGM, the 27th of November,2024, we once again invite members to make known their interest in offering themselves to serve. Unfortunately, there are not many tangible perks that come with the job; it is work, work, work! Your expertise, your knowledge your sector or business specific insight and skills are required so the Chamber can represent the interest of the wide cross section of Members and their interest.
Rest assured the experience, the exposure, the rubbing shoulders with other brilliant Board of Director Members, engaging with high level technocrats and policy makers, gaining insight into the perspectives of contending sectors and views all, brings much value and benefit to one's professional capacity and so it is really exciting and beneficial. Serving you community and country on the Chamber of Commerce is a win-win for all. Please consider.
We are pleased to inform you that the following current Directors, dedicated individuals with demonstrated unwavering commitment to our Chamber's Mission and Vision, have indicated a preparedness to continue to serve.
Additionally, some other members are also willing to serve. Remember nominations have to be made at the AGM and must be seconded by a member in good standing. Please ensure that your Company is up to date a with its dues if you wish to serve on the Board or want to cast your vote. few will be contesting their seats:
The St. Lucia Chamber of Commerce Industry and Agriculture will be hosting its 140th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the St. Lucia Chamber of Commerce, Industry, and Agriculture, scheduled for November 27th, 2024, at 9:00 A.M. The AGM will be convened at The Golden Grove Ballroom at The Harbor Club Hotel Rodney Bay.
The AGM will be conducted under the theme "Building Resilience and Shared Prosperity in Uncertain Times”
The AGM is the highest decision-making body of the Chamber. Every AGM is an Elective AGM where members have the opportunity to elect representative of Member Companies to serve on the Board of the Chamber. While all Board Members are eligible for reelection, Members are encouraged to put themselves up for election.
At the AGM the following reports will be presented by the President, Executive Director, and the Audited Financial Statements.
As a member focused organization, the Chamber aims to represent the collective interests of members. We strongly encourage all members to consider offering their time and expertise to this esteemed organization, which plays a crucial role in our country's development.
We look forward to seeing you and your company represented at the AGM on November 27th, 2024, at The Harbor Club Ltd, Golden Grove Ballroom, starting at 9:00 A.M.
Chamber SLASPA Dialogue
In a constructive two hour and fifteen-minute dialogue Chamber Members were able to engage in an interactive discussion with the St. Lucia Air & Sea Ports Authority!
Discussions focused on Port Efficiency, Port Infrastructure and Stakeholder Communication. The dialogue delved in addressing issues related to cargo handling, vehicle management, utilization of Shed 7, and the need for better coordination between the Customs & Excise Department and the St. Lucia Air & Sea Ports Authority.
The Following are the Next Steps Agreed to:
The Meeting was very informative and honest, and it was agreed that regular engagement with the business community is required. The Chamber for its part looks forward to SLASPA following up on taking actions as it had pledged! The Chamber reiterates that "dialogue would be useless without decisive action by SLASPA".
The St. Lucia Chamber of Commerce’s Business Performance Survey (BPS Take11) for 2024 offers insights into workforce trends, recruitment challenges, sales performance and economic outlook. The survey highlights optimism with 60% of respondents expecting their workforce to remain stable or grow and 40% increasing investment in technology and plant replacement.
Survey respondents primarily operate in Castries (48%) Gros Islet (36%) and various sectors like tourism (32%) distribution (24%) and IT services (12%). Key findings indicate mixed sales performance 52% of businesses seeing increased sales compared to 2023. Yet 48% failed to meet their forecasts. Recruitment challenges persist especially for skilled workers.
Despite this 56% of respondents expect turnover to improve and 48% forecast profitability growth over the next year. Rising input costs driven by higher utility prices goods prices and the Health & Security Levy are a concern.
Additionally, crime and infrastructure quality emerged as pressing issues.
Click link to view full report: BPS-.Report T11.pdf
Dear Member,
We are always excited to celebrate your stories of resilience and success, and so we invite you to share any recent awards, accolades, or noteworthy accomplishments of your business. These Stories will be featured in the upcoming editions of The Inside Edge, the Chamber’s bi-monthly newsletter that reaches a wide audience of industry peers and stakeholders.
Whether your business has been recognized with an award, received industry honors, or is celebrating an Anniversary, appointing New Key Staff, or is making a positive impact in the community through your CSR Program, we want to hear from you! Submissions should be no longer than 500 words and may include photos or other relevant details. This is a great opportunity to highlight your hard work and innovation while inspiring others in the business community.
To Submit:
Submission Deadline: The last Wednesday of each month.
Email Submissions To: info@stluciachamber.org
We look forward to celebrating your achievements in The Inside Edge. Thank you for continuing to make valuable contributions to our business community.
Global Entrepreneur Week 2024 is celebrated every November. This year it is celebrated the week of the 18th - 24th November 2024 under the theme "Entrepreneurship is For Everyone"
The Chamber opens up the week of celebration on November 18th 2024, hosting a launch and speed networking forum that entrepreneurs will benefit from greatly. The launch will be held in the Chambers' Meeting room from 2:00pm to 4:00pm, with special guest speakers and professionals to engage our young entrepreneurs. During the week of the 18th a number of events both physical and virtual will be held.
We encourage our members to host events during this week in celebration of our entrepreneurs. Any event planned to be hosted under the GEW forum is to be sent to the chamber via email at gewslu@gmail.com. Here more information and guidance will provided.
About GEW
Global Entrepreneurship Week is a movement to celebrate and empower entrepreneurs in every country and community around the world – especially those who face structural barriers or may have never considered the idea of launching a startup. Each November,10 million people take part in tens of thousands of activities, competitions and events that inspire them to act and provide them with the knowledge, experience and connections they need to succeed.
Castries, St. Lucia — Massy Stores has decided to support the St. Lucia Chamber of Commerce host its Power Breakfast “St. Lucia’s Economic Prospects 2024/2025”!! Massy Stores has always been a staunch member of the Chamber and has always encouraged the institution to be more data driven in its work. Moreover, as a major business concern on the island Massy recognizes the value of economic data for effective decision making and as such is fully aligned with the Chamber in hosting such an important and powerful information dissemination event.
The Power Breakfast will be held at The Harbor Club and is scheduled for Tuesday, November 19th, 2024, 8:00 a.m. The Chamber Power Breakfast series was conceived as critical and vital information sharing event for the serious businessperson who is busy yet needs to remain current and informed or better yet, wants to be on the cutting edge of Business and Economic trends. Hosted quarterly, Chamber Members can be assured of information and best practice sharing in an intense two-hour session over breakfast before they go into the Office.
Mr. Francis Fontenelle, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, will provide the Business Community with the most current economic data and share his insights into the economy’s performance, challenges and opportunities that businesspeople need to take account in their own planning and management.
The Chamber is extremely pleased that Massy Stores has once again agreed to partner and support the important work of the Chamber. Massy Stores is the largest integrated retail business on the island and has worked assiduously to bring its quality goods and services across the island, enabling consumers’ access to high quality and variety of goods at affordable prices, including locally grown fruits and vegetables.
In speaking with Mr. Kelly Mitchell – Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications at Massy Stores SLU, he indicated that as a force for good in the St. Lucian market, the company is keen on improving the agriculture sector by working with farmers through its annual registered farmers program, which focuses on strengthening relationships between farmers and key stakeholders. Sharing insights, providing financial support, and guaranteed markets for local produce. He also commended the Chamber for allowing Massy Stores to lead the way in re-energizing stakeholder dialog through informative forums like this.
The event will commence at 8:00 a.m. and has been designed to allow sufficient time for questions, comments and reactions between the Ministry of Finance and the businesspeople who will be in attendance.
In a fitting climax, the resurrected Inter-Commercial House Domino Competition came to a grand finale with on the evening of Thursday October 31st, at the Castries Market. Fierce and most times friendly rivalry with much picong and jokes from loyal supporters and team members, it was a night to remember.
Ultimately M&C Group of Companies emerged Champions mounting outstanding rear-guard action, as they came from behind to overhaul a four-point lead held after 6 matches by Department of Infrastructure. With LUCELEC playing “king maker” by suddenly showing great spirit and life wining the most games in the final two matches leaving Department of Infrastructure only dreaming of what could have been.
In the thrilling finals, M&C claimed 1st place with their brilliant teamwork and strategy with the score 71. Infrastructure put up a fierce fight, securing a solid 2nd place, with the score 65, whilst LUCELEC rounded out the top three in 3rd place, displaying their determination in this exciting tournament, scoring 52 points.
Team Most Valuable Players Points
Jason Barthelmy - Bel Jou Hotel 15.25
Heber Daniel- Valley Cold Storage 14.5
Zekius Edgar- Sagicor Life 14.4
Gordon Dalson- Ministry of Infrastructure 14
Augustin Decaille- Cox & Co. Ltd. 13.67
Paul Toussaint- M&C Home Depot 13.33
Kevin Nelson- Saint Lucia Fire Service 13.29
Clius Menal- LUCELEC 12.4
Aswad Alexander- BeachComber 11.67
Female MVP
Isha Philip- Cox & Co. Ltd 10.33
Sherry Gabriel- Sagicor Life 9.5
Thecla Goodman- Saint Lucia Fire Service 9.2
Tournament MVP- Paul Toussaint
Best Dressed Team- Ministry of Infrastructure
Most Disciplined Team- Bel Jou Hotel
The event attracted a very vociferous crowd, with many supporters of the players and companies participating, coming out to support their favorite teams. The atmosphere was sometimes tense as the matches came down almost to the wire and the Market atrium was filled with cheers and camaraderie among the supporters and player, underscoring the networking and friendly rivalry spirit that the competition fostered.
Congratulations to M&C Home Depot for their outstanding victory, and to all teams for their participation and helping the Chamber this well-loved event. Special thanks also to KFC and Heineken St. Lucia Ltd., who came on board to sponsor the event and contributing some well appreciated trophies and prizes.
The Chamber intends to host the event in the new year and hopes more teams will participate and bring back the huge participation from all sectors and numerous businesses big and small.
For more information about the Inter-Commercial House Domino Competition and upcoming events, please contact The St. Lucia Chamber of Commerce at info@stluciachamber.org or visit our website at www.stluciachamber.org or call us at 4523165.