There is a lot to be done. A lot has been said. Many of us are old enough to remember many times before how our enthusiasm was severely dampened and dreams shattered. If we truly believe that the Private Sector is the Engine of Growth, the Entrepreneurial class needs to be embraced. What can be done to make life easier for local business persons who have persevered through the years, regardless if things are good or bad?
I noted a bit of interesting news in Caribbean 360 In The Press, 8/5/12 “State Department launches $100,000 business competition to spur jobs in the Caribbean through partnerships with members of the Caribbean diaspora living the U.S., Canada and the U.K.” This programme will encourage joint venture relationship. In past articles I drew my readers’ attention to such programmes. I am firmly convinced that this is one sure way of injecting new business ideas, especially in the services sector. Let us open the door to making St. Lucia an outstanding destination for business and pleasure.
Value Added Tax (VAT) will be very much a part of the Budget and it is very likely that we are stuck with it. There are many among us who wish it would never happen but there are certain things in life that must come to pass, it is just a matter of time. The time for VAT in St. Lucia seems to have arrived. What is important is going forward. I feel the Budget will have something for everyone. Select your area and go for it. The test in the end will be how many new ideas were translated into productive, high profit yielding ventures. I must emphasise the point that it will take government’s invention in most cases to ensure successful outcomes.
Vieux Fort is really the Frontier of happiness and prosperity. It is taking shape before our very eyes. It is my hope that overseas visitors and residents visiting the South during the season of Jazz will take time off the mix pleasure with business so that they can make informed decisions about investing in the area.
There is no better time for a revival in our hearts. This special time of year gives an opportunity to take a new look at the way we live our lives and making a commitment to being our brother’s keeper. Most people live for themselves but the real joy of living comes from caring for others. It is in giving that we receive. Be involved in the service of others.
Saint Lucia is really a fun country. There is always an event to look forward to. There is never a dull moment. This is the Saint Lucia everyone will like to be a part of. Most importantly, in recent years most major activities/events have been shared with many communities around the island.
Mr. Peter Josie will share excerpts from his book – SHATTERED DREAMS with family, friends and well wishers on Sunday April 1, 2012 at the Kimatrai Hotel, Vieux Fort at 4.00pm. Admission is FREE!
Those who have been watching and waiting to establish branches or to invest in new projects in the South are advised to make the move without any further delay. Don’t wait another day. Make your move now. Secure your space in the New Frontier. It is no longer a dream, it is fast becoming reality.
Looking at developments at home, citizens are being called upon to exercise patience as it is obvious, it is not going to be business as usual. New ideas, necessitating new approaches will be the order of the day. I like the consultative approach being practiced involving some of our best minds. I have always alluded to the benefits of such an approach. I will like to see the process broadened. Get contributions from the people; in the final analysis, it is the people who will be the beneficiaries of the outcomes. The bottom up approach is necessary in these times. I remember an economist in earlier days who spoke about planning from below. What it simply means is to involve the people in the planning process.