(1) Issues of crime, violence and lawlessness, which claim top priority on our advocacy agenda. The Chamber has and will always support crime fighting efforts by the Police and the Government.
It is in that light, that we acknowledge and applaud the Governments’ training of the first batches of recruits in quite a few years, from the Police Training School. And, we also applaud the provision of much needed equipment to the police. The Chamber encourages Government to continue investing in both personnel and equipment to ensure an appropriately resourced RSLPF.
(2) The St. Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority manages our gateways to the world. SLASPA facilitates virtually all official trade in inputs, raw materials and finished goods. However, much of the Authority’s aging infrastructure needs to be upgraded, rehabilitated or replaced.
The functional role SLASPA plays as an engine of growth is too critical to be compromised by infrastructure deficiencies. In fact, precisely because of our import dependency, the cost of any such deficiency results in a de-facto tax on the entire economy. The Chamber therefore calls on Government to move SLASPA’s needs to the top of its infrastructure priorities and so realize efficiency benefits and economic returns to businesses and consumers alike.
(3) I am proposing an annual National Development Forum as a precursor to each and every national budget, so that the private sector, and indeed other civil actors, need not feel excluded, restricted, undermined, sidelined or selectively burdened with the cost of national development. All too often, the Business Community is the scapegoat: for higher prices, revenue shortfalls, low wages and poor service, without any reference to the crippling environment within which we are expected to operate.
Dr. Jan Yves Remy was one of the Featured Speakers at the 140th Annual general Meeting of the St. Lucia Chamber of Commerce Industry and Agriculture. Spoke under the chapeaux “Let’s Talk Trade; What the Businessperson Needs to Know”. In an engaging and interactive presentation Dr, Remy spoke to the importance of the business community remaining aware and engaged in the Trade Negotiations process as new issues are now being embraced and forming part of the Negotiations. These issues include, standards, climate change, renewable energy, gender and inclusiveness, that was already impacting trade and business operations.
Dr Remy is the Director of the Shridath Ramphal Centre for International Trade Law, Policy and Services at the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, Barbados, where she leads training, research, and outreach on regional and international trade issues. She coordinates the Master’s in International Trade Policy program, develops short courses, and introduced several key outreach initiatives like Trading Thoughts, Policy Briefs, and the Distinguished Owen Seymour Arthur Memorial Lecture.
Her research covers international trade dispute settlement, climate change, WTO reform, trade and gender, sustainability, and regional integration, particularly in small island developing states. Dr. Remy holds the WTO Chair at UWI, has served as a WTO panelist, and contributes to various boards and initiatives, including co-leading the Remaking Global Trade for a Sustainable Future Project. She is also a co-founder of the Caribbean Women in Trade network and the Joint University Study Tour. With an extensive background, including legal roles at Sidley Austin LLP and the WTO Appellate Body, Dr. Remy holds a PhD (summa cum laude) from the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, an LL.M. from the University of Cambridge, and an LL.B. from the University of the West Indies.
See next newsletter for more information
The St. Lucia Chamber of Commerce, Industry, and Agriculture on Tuesday 7th January 2025, convened a critical meeting with key stakeholders, including the St. Lucia Air & Sea Ports Authority (SLASPA), Royal St. Lucia Police Force (RSLPF), and representatives of the trucking sector, to address growing traffic congestion and operational inefficiencies linked to Port Castries.
The meeting, chaired by Mr. Louisy Executive Director of the St. Lucia Chamber of Commerce highlighted the pressing need for solutions to alleviate congestion caused by trucks queuing on streets near the Port. The Chamber emphasized the importance of collaborative approaches that balance efficient port operations, traffic management, and the interests of all stakeholders.
SLASPA’s Director of Sea Port’s Adrain Hilaire, detailed operational challenges such as limited port space, delays in container movement, and congestion impacting vehicle flow. The Police highlighted the negative effects of illegal truck parking on city traffic and reiterated their commitment to restoring order. Truckers raised concerns about delays caused by limited queuing options, inefficiencies in container release systems, and long waiting times.
Following robust discussions, several actionable recommendations were agreed upon:
The Chamber and SLASPA will work together to explore immediate solutions, including and most particularly by SLASPA the utilizing of Banan’s Bay for temporary queuing and also on convening a high-level meeting with the Customs & Excise Department and other related government agencies to address operational challenges.
The Chamber remains committed to fostering collaboration among all parties to ensure practical, sustainable solutions that support national development and a thriving business environment as it works towards a shared and sustainable prosperity for St. Lucia.
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Renewals & New Applicants
New Applicants:
We are excited to offer you an exclusive opportunity to showcase your company’s logo, social media handles, and contact details prominently on the St. Lucia Chamber of Commerce website and in our widely circulated Annual Report. This is a unique chance to amplify your brand visibility while aligning with the credibility and outreach of the Chamber.
Why participate?
Renewals:
The current arrangement for your company’s logo placement on the Chamber’s website, along with links to your email, telephone number, and social media assets, is set to expire on December 31, 2024. Access will cease on February 1, 2025, if not renewed.
For your convenience, we encourage you to visit our website at www.stluciachamber.org and review your company’s listing. This is an excellent opportunity to confirm or update your existing information.
Kindly Note: The placement for 2025 will remain valid until December 31, 2025, ensuring extended value for your investment.
Thank you once again for your continued support and partnership. Should you have any questions or require further clarification, please do not hesitate to contact us.
KPI's Series : Key Performance Indicators
Healthy Lifestyle Series
Part 1
Member Successes
Orbtronics has emerged as the winner of the prestigious Carib Equity Ecosystem Challenge, a collaboration between the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the European Union (EU). This milestone achievement paves the way for the launch of the Orbtronics Innovation Hub, Saint Lucia's first high-tech coworking space designed to empower professionals, entrepreneurs, and startups.
Backed by over $1 million USD in funding, including $430,000 USD from the EU, $185,000 USD from the Government of Saint Lucia (GOSL), and significant contributions from Orbtronics, this initiative marks a transformative moment for the island's innovation ecosystem.
The Orbtronics Innovation Hub will provide much more than a space to work. Entrepreneurs will gain access to a thriving network of investors, discounted software development talent, and a collaborative environment to drive growth and innovation. By fostering entrepreneurship and high-tech development, the Hub is poised to become a catalyst for economic transformation in the Caribbean.