St. Lucia Simply Beautiful

If history is to be our guide, it is safe to assume that the VAT will be implemented, come September 1 and with only four months to go, businesses and organizations may want to begin to prepare for that magic date. Yes, there are many challenges to be faced with the implementation by September 1, but one must also remember that this talk about VAT being implemented in St. Lucia has been around for a few years and with an economy which is not doing so well and international lenders who are insisting on tax reform as a condition for receiving assistance which may get the country out of the recession, there is more to gain by embracing the opportunities which September 1 can bring, rather than to focus mainly on the challenges ahead.

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.

Let us talk VAT!

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.

Corporate governance is the system by which businesses are directed and controlled. It involves a set of relationships between a company’s management, its board, its shareholders and other stakeholders; it deals with prevention or mitigation of the conflicts of interest and is intended to increase the confidence of stakeholders. It addresses the accountability of the people in the business with the purpose of safeguarding its long-term success. Threats to good corporate governance are disharmony in the ranks, and egos getting in the way.

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.

In the context of cricket, the politicians need to become involved, at the legislation level, to redress the situation of “cricketing public suffrage” where only a small minority of the cricket public currently have the right to vote in the WICB governance system.

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!  

The Springer legacy in scouting all began in March 1912 when Charles Wilkinson Springer, my grandfather, was the first Scoutmaster of the first Scout Troup in Barbados at the Combermere School. All this was refreshingly renewed last week when I was part of the celebrations of the 100th Anniversary of Scouting in Barbados.