THE INVESTMENT MOMENTUM HEIGHTENS AS BILLIONS OF DOLLARS BEING PROPOSEDTO BE INVESTED IN SAINT LUCIA!!!
THE INVESTMENT MOMENTUM HEIGHTENS AS BILLIONS OF DOLLARS BEING PROPOSEDTO BE INVESTED IN SAINT LUCIA!!!
Saint Lucia is the modern day Eldorado. Sir Walter Raleigh was in search of a destination that produced gold. Today’s explorers are looking for Investment Destinations that offer incentives and lifestyles in a hassle free environment. The recent investment conference which brought together the major multilateral investment agencies and the principal lending institution in the region must give impetus to the investment and development programmes proposed by the government in the recent Budget presentation.
St. Lucia needs substantial development capital if it is to transform the economy and improve the standard of living for the masses. The vision for the future therefore must be supported by international lending institutions fueling the development thrust with direct foreign investment flows running parallel. The information coming out of the conference seems to suggest that both investment streams will be put into high gear to facilitate the
It is all coming together now. The years of hard work by the Investment Promotion Professionals in the overseas divisions of the National Development Corporation is about to pay off. Our governments over the years have stayed the course and opportunities will continue to open up. The road to prosperity has just been charted and the builders must emerge without any wavering. This is no time for doubting, it is time to make good of the opportunity. It is harvest time and those of us who shared the optimism and truly believed in the virtues of our island state can celebrate.
Whatever was possible in the 20th century is worth many times more in value in the 21st century. Nothing happens before its time. Our time has come. What are you doing about it? Timing is everything and it is necessary for us to ride the wave.
Well we look to a prosperous future, we have to ensure that provisions are made to take care of the vulnerable groups in our midst and find a way of empowering them. The micro, small and medium size businesses that generate a substantial amount of jobs must be encouraged and expanded. What will be the needs of these Billion Dollar Projects that are in the pipeline? Our work force should be ready to assume their role. Likewise our businesspersons should gear their businesses to accommodate the demands for certain goods and services not currently offered. All agencies offering services to the micro and small business sector should come together and begin to look at potential demand for the new businesses that will result from the 3 day Investment Conference.
Hess Oil has put on the table a multi-billion dollar state of the art refinery. What new skills and service businesses will be needed? These are the questions we must begin to answer now, not in the future.
Cricket World Cup was introduced as the saviour of the nation but it didn’t take long for many to abandon their dreams. Unfortunately there were too many variables beyond our control. The investments that are currently being discussed are very fundamental for the overall development of the nation and fortunately outside of the financing there will be many controllable tangible variables.
The future looks good even if the deliverables of the conference are not what we expect. What is certain is that investors are opening up to St. Lucia as a destination worthy of note and it is with this positioning that nothing can stop us now. Don’t allow procrastination to rob us of our opportunities. The basket of opportunities before us is one of economics, not politics and must be treated as such. It is about the economic survival of St. Lucia, to put food on the tables of the poor and vulnerable in our society. Let us give it our best shot.
The training institutions and trade unions need to instill in minds of our young people and the general work force the need to be productive and honest in their dealings with their employers. There is a cry by employers that they are not getting enough from workers. Employees need to be told the truth of the matter that if the current level of wages and salaries are to be improved, the employees will have to give a fair day’s work for a fair day’s pay. This must be preached from the pulpits and spoken of at political rallies.
The flood gate is opened to investment flow in St. Lucia, it is St. Lucia’s turn to shine. Let’s be the best.
Keep the Faith, God is in Charge, Expect Miracles in 2007!!!
Edward A. Harris
Email: edharas@searchbigdaddy.com
Websites: http://www.stluciasimplybeautiful.com http://www.stluciarealtors.com