Gardner Returns for Second Term as Chamber President

The St. Lucia Chamber of Commerce, Industry, and Agriculture successfully hosted its 140th Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Wednesday 27^th November at The Harbor Club, under the theme "Building Resilience and Shared Prosperity in Uncertain Times."

Mr. Ross Gardner, Managing Director of Carasco & Son, was re-elected as President of the Chamber for a second term, by acclamation. Mr. Gardner had served on the Chamber Board of Directors for many years prior to being elected President at the 139^th Annual General Meeting. Chamber Presidents have traditionally been encouraged to serve a minimum of two consecutive terms. Mr. Garnder in his President’s Report highlighted many of the challenges that the Chamber needs to pursue in the near future.

Joining him on the leadership team are:

• 1st Vice President: Mr. Nicholas Barnard, Managing Director, St. Lucia Linen
• 2nd Vice President: Ms. Louise Victor, Corporate Affairs Manager, Heineken Saint Lucia

Other Members elected to serve on the Chamber Board of Director’s include:

• Mrs. Eldris Mauricette, Island Manager, Tropical Shipping
• Mr. Gidden Augustin, Managing Director, IslandTEK
• Ms. Cheryl Renwick, Managing Director, Renwick & Co. Ltd.
• Mr. Omari Frederick, Corporate Communications Manager, LUCELEC
• Mr. Jason King, Chief Financial Officer, Saint Lucia Distillers Group of Companies
• Mr. Rankin Morgan, Managing Director, 123 Digital
• Mr. Leathon Khan, Executive Chairman, Agostini Insurance Brokers

Mr. Trevor Louisy, Chairman of WASCO, will continue to serve as Immediate Past President.

The Annual General Meeting was a powerful and informative event where expert and well-informed speakers shared critical information on Trade matters under the Chapeaux; ““Let’s Talk Trade”: What every Businessperson Needs to Know”.

Mr. Titus Preville, Director, CARICOM Single Market, and Dr. Jan Yves Remy, Director, Shridath Ramphal Centre, delivered outstanding presentations on the subject matter.

Mr. Preville spoke to the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas, focusing on the exercise of the Rights of Establishment and the contingent rights that CARICOM Businesses exercise highlighting, the provisions and opportunities for local businesses to expand regionally.

Dr. Remy shared a powerful message as she illustrated how the many issues being debated and negotiated at the global level are already impacting local business activity. She took time to alert the meeting that these impacts will continue and intensify.

Dr. Remy strongly urged that the Chamber membership and the wider business community support the St. Lucia Chamber of Commerce and work with it to ensure that interests of local business get heard at the regional and international levels as a matter of urgency and priority.

This year’s AGM, held at the Golden Grove Ballroom, also celebrated the continued expansion of Chamber membership with a small showcasing and introduction of six new Chamber member businesses:

• Analytical Technologies: Laboratory services for petroleum, petrochemical, and environmental testing
• Promotech: Providers of technical solutions and IT hardware
• Royalty Pools: Experts in swimming pool installation and maintenance
• Dreamy Florals: Luxury floral and event designers
• Orbtronics: Developers of software and youth programming courses
• Sea Spray Cruises: Excursion and private charter providers

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