St Lucia’s development goals are ‘people-centered’: Part 1

- - Infrastructure development programme
  - Global Mobility and Immigration
  - Building networks
  - Ease of doing business

By CNG Insight

CASTRIES, St Lucia – The government of Saint Lucia has commenced an ambitious national development programme for 2026 and beyond, says Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre, with the commencement of his second term in the governance of Saint Lucia, and a “Vision 2030” focus on ‘people-centered’ transformation and infrastructure development.

The infrastructure development programme, inclusive of an upgraded Hewanorra International Airport (HIA): Improvements to water supply infrastructure: Development of seaports: and construction of bus terminals. The government’s investment in citizen security continues with the construction of a police headquarters building and the needed equipment for the police. Prime Minister Pierre has also given notice to “governing under the values of equity, justice and respect for the rule of law.”

The objective is to attract investments, engage partners and maximise economic benefits in a “people-centered economy.” The strategy is to integrate a circular economy with high-quality, well-paying and sustainable jobs, community development and responsible national development. The next step is the continued inspiration of the youth economy, entrepreneurs, and employers connect with a job-ready future workforce. The downside is a decreasing population and a reduced labour force.

Global Mobility and Immigration

The government will have to include a detention centre and supporting services, having “approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the government of Saint Lucia and the government of the United States to accept the potential transfer of certain third-country nationals present in the United States.”

The net result is compliance with international law on domestic and international mobility arrangements. This means the government of Saint Lucia and member states of the OECS must now review and reconsider Global Mobility and Immigration policies and programs within their jurisdictions.

A remedial exercise in immigration and foreign worker policies will have to provide support and expertise for new opportunities to define what’s possible.

Building networks

Building a national development programme and economic impact needs a workforce capable of navigating education, employment, and practical experiences to solve issues of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), building networks, systems and beautiful structures to grace the skylines of Saint Lucia. At the same time, delivering social, economic, and environmental impact – in practical terms, “People Empowerment.”

An ambitious development programme requires a budget and an action plan. The 2026/2027 estimates of revenue and expenditure scheduled for April transmit great expectations.

There is outstanding work on a to-do list to be completed! Inclusive capacity-building is crucial for engaging confidently in policy formulation and international negotiations.

Ease of doing business

On the economics of growth and development, the government of Saint Lucia has revisited the ease of doing business. This has become necessary because, aside from red tape and bureaucracy, it defies logic to the cumbersome nature and process of doing business in Saint Lucia.

The services of Saint Lucia Customs and Excise Department, Inland Revenue, Belfund and aspects of the youth economy, Invest Saint Lucia and Export Saint Lucia, to name a few, must form part of a unified institution operating in one facility dedicated (window of opportunity) to the ease of doing business in Saint Lucia.

Doing business with Saint Lucia Customs and Excise Department, the Ministry of Transportation and Inland Revenue is even more tedious, while public services hours and financial institutions close from 2 pm daily.

It is inexplicable how registering a business takes months to complete, if lucky, with the assistance of a lawyer, costing thousands of dollars. A paralegal can perform that service in less than a day, if up to the task and costing much less. On a slightly different note, having to wait 6-12 months to secure a mortgage is unacceptable by industry standards, let alone economic. And let’s not mention the process and fees to probate a will – it’s procedural extortion!

Reducing the cost and complexity of legal and regulatory constraints that affect business and development implementation requires principal frameworks to support innovation, operational excellence, and to facilitate investment and scale up entrepruneurs.

In an effort to improve the ease of doing business, engaging partners to work and accelerate projects and to live comfortably, it is paramount that government and commercial institutions serve the needs of people, and not become a disservice of low competence operating 8-3 pm Monday to Friday.

The IMF has stated that digitalisation efforts must continue, with a focus on expanding internet access, improving digital literacy, and fostering innovation to create jobs and attract investment. Continued efforts on climate adaptation, energy transition, and climate insurance are essential.