St. Lucia pushing economic expansion

Mr. Phillip Pierre
(Photo: The Star)

Sunday, October 5, 2003

CASTRIES, St. Lucia: The government of St. Lucia is moving to expand economic activities, as a means of cushioning the impacts of the Free Trade Area of the Americas on the local economy.

So disclosed Minister for Tourism, Commerce, Investment and Consumer Affairs, Mr. Phillip J. Pierre, who along with other senior government officials, recently addressed over 250 St. Lucian nationals at a town hall meeting of St. Lucian nationals in New York.

According to Director of Information Services, Mr. Embert Charles, who was at the meeting, Minister Pierre, said, "the advent of the FTAA would result in the removal of certain taxes on imports which would lead to a loss in government revenue and stiff competition for local manufacturers."

Minister Pierre added that "St. Lucia and other Caribbean governments must avoid becoming too insular in their approach to the FTAA, relying solely on their small tax base to finance development, but rather improve on the standards and quality of products." He cited the work of the St. Lucia Bureau of Standards which facilitates the improvement in the quality of products.

Addressing nationals on the status of the social-economic development in St. Lucia, Minister Pierre noted that "government is continuing to invest resources in the police force to combat criminal activity, adding that every new crime is one too many." 

The St. Lucia nationals engaged the Minister in debate on a wide range of issues including the status of health care facilities, procedures for accepting material and financial assistance from overseas groups, the environmental levy and the debate on the amendment to the criminal code. He urged all St. Lucians to become tourism ambassadors for the country.

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