WILL IT BE?
October 14, 2008
EDWARD HARRIS AT LARGE!
WILL IT BE?
Will the members of the Cariforum group sign on to the European Partnership Agreement (EPA) on Wednesday, 15th October, 2008? By the time this newspaper hits the news stands it would have been known to the world how united are the leaders of Caricom and the level of importance they attach to forging ahead with the EPA be it for better or for worse.
Civil Society Groups have failed to hold back the signing and can only be satisfied with the many gains they made over the months of active negotiations. No one can deny Civil Society’s contribution during the negotiations, especially when Mr. Christopher Sinckler headed the Caribbean Policy Development Centre (CPDC) in Barbados. He is the current Minister for Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and International Business in the Barbados Government and a strong advocate for the signing of the EPA.
I am plagued by deadlines falling just before the actual events. I never get the opportunity to get the conclusion of the story. If they sign this time around, I would have been correct when I predicted in an earlier article that Governments will go along with the agreement they signed in December, 2007.
Sir Shridat Ramphal is requesting that Cariforum leaders have a stay of execution as it relates to the signing of the EPA at this time. However, the leaders are feeling that there has been enough delay and should not be seen as indecisive. It is almost a year and the agreement is yet to be concluded. In today’s world, procrastination is not an option. The state of the world economies is not encouraging and it is necessary to get their feet into the door before further deterioration in the economies of European nations.
There is also the need to expand markets for our tourism which is the mainstay of the economy of most countries in the region. We are hearing now of Real Estate Tourism. This is a welcomed idea. It is something that has occupied my attention for several years. I am always seeing the tourists as potential investors in the property market and even conceptualised programmes for bringing property deals to the attention of tourists. Every tourist should be given an opportunity to be exposed to the economic prospects of the destination. St. Lucia is fortunate to have a young, dynamic Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation who has vast experience in tourism and airline industries. I feel that Senator Allen Chastanet has a vision for the tourism sector of St. Lucia and based on his experiences should be able to find solutions to the problems currently plaguing the industry.
These are serious times as much is at stake in the tourism sector. We just can’t afford to fail. It is against this background of challenges that all the best minds in the industry need to get together to help to find solutions to the decline in tourist arrivals due to the economic situation on the one hand and airlifts on the other. Tourism and Investment must now find common ground and move forward in a complimentary manner. I developed the theme “St. Lucia – A Unique Destination for Investment, Vacation and Retirementâ€.
I am not about to give up on St. Lucia. I caution you not to listen to the prophets of doom and gloom. This too shall pass. When I was optimistic, many accused me of living in another country but when the boom came I proudly reminded many – that I told them so!. I have always recommended to members of the Caribbean Diaspora to look to St. Lucia to invest in property. I stand firm on my recommendation. There are still genuine bargains in the real estate sector in St. Lucia today!
I am hoping that when next we meet through this medium, it will be well with Barack Obama and he would have scored yet another knock out punch on John Mc Cain, and by then cruising home safely to the finishing line on November 4, 2008. What a moment in time?
Keep the Faith, God is in Charge, Dream Big and Expect Miracles Everyday!!!
Edward Harris
Real Estate CyberSpace Specialist (RECS)
Freelance Journalist, Biblicist, Business & PR Consultant, Realtor, Networker, Private Sector & CSR Advocate, Motivational Speaker
Email: eaharrisdestiny@gmail.com
Website: http://www.stluciasimplybeautiful.com