TO GOD BE THE GLORY!
November 13, 2008
EDWARD HARRIS AT LARGE!
TO GOD BE THE GLORY!
Senator Barack Obama, now President Elect! To God be the glory! Great things he has done! If it can happen, it will. President Elect Barack Obama is headed for the White House with a level of popularity that is phenomenal at such period of anxiety and uncertainty. Seventy five percent of the people feel he will do a good job. He won an election where the world voted. While Americans actually marked their ballots for Obama, the rest of the world voted with their hearts. It is truly a wonderful world!
I began writing this article at Miami International Airport on my way back from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) Centennial activities in Orlando, Florida which saw the installation of a new Board of Directors headed by a Black Man – Mr. Charles McMillan as its 101st President. Mr. Mc Millan is Principal Broker of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Dallas/ Fort Worth, Texas. The Association has 1.3million members.
The opportunity to visit and network with national and international members of NAR was a great experience. I attended many presentations by experts in the various fields of real estate and investment, and visited the exhibition where there were over 500 booths. On the exhibition floor there were offerings which included stress chairs to help Realtors cope with the difficult times. In spite of the current situation in the real estate industry in the USA, there are still states that are doing well. The business is by no means at a standstill in the USA even if some Agents have to get involved in Quick Sales and Foreclosures. The advice of professional agents is always in demand.
The experience has equipped me to deal with the challenges in the real estate industry in St. Lucia where I head the Realtors Association (Saint Lucia) Ltd. Mrs. Karleen Greenidge, Treasurer and Convenor of the Education Committee of the Association attended the conference and exhibition. Due to her previous attendances at such events, she was of great assistance.
I was amazed at the number of persons who walked up to me and had good things to say about St. Lucia. St. Lucia tourism image is positive and I believe that with the power of the internet in a few years millions more will get to know about St. Lucia and come to share the experience.
The Government of Saint Lucia is currently looking into amending the Alien Land Holding Licence Act to make it more relevant to the needs of today’s investors. The turn around time is too long and generally frustrates investors. Finally, this impediment to doing business in St. Lucia is being dealt with. In first quarter of 2009, many of the large projects will get back on stream and new, exciting opportunities will open up. This column will provide regular alerts as to the state of the economy in general and investments in the real estate sector in particular. It is my belief that overseas investors will settle down to the reality of a changing global investment environment and move on.
St. Lucia in spite of the difficult times is moving ahead. The private sector is maintaining its position as the engine of growth. Innovative ideas are coming to the fore and the level of employment within the sector is being sustained. There has been no report of retrenchment in the private sector except for seasonal workers in the tourism sector but with a bumper cruise ship season being expected, better days are ahead.
Gasoline and Diesel prices at the pumps are being held at US$147.00 a barrel prices even though the price is now below US$60.00. This is to allow for an adjustment in revenue since the Government subsidized fuel and cooking gas to consumers for several months. The retail price per gallon is just over US$5.00.
I feel that nothing should prevent us from seeing increased economic activity early in the New Year as the economic situation levels out and President Barack Obama takes office. The world is watch and waiting.
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