ST. LUCIA ON THE MOVE – *BARON FOODS LTD *MEGA J *OECS ECONOMIC UNION *124th AGM OF THE CHAMBER!!!
November 19, 2008
EDWARD HARRIS AT LARGE!
ST. LUCIA ON THE MOVE – *BARON FOODS LTD *MEGA J *OECS ECONOMIC UNION *124th AGM OF THE CHAMBER!!!
Since the last issue of this newspaper St. Lucia had a very active few days that will long be remembered. Saturday, November 15, 2008 – Baron Foods Ltd. celebrating its ISO 22000 – 2005 Certification; the first in the Caribbean. It is the highest standard in the food processing industry. It was a night to remember when the Who’s Who of St. Lucia converged at the Sandals Grande for a three hour long cocktail reception which went well beyond 10.00pm. It was a proud moment for Mr. Ronald Ramjattan, Managing Director and his team. The feature address was delivered by Hon. Stephenson King, Prime Minister who traced back his early encounters with the Mr. Ronald Ramjattan. Everyone expressed the view that Baron Foods Ltd. is truly a company of Excellence!
Sunday, November 16, 2008 – MEGA J was officially opened. St. Lucians can now boast of first world shopping. It is as good a shopping experience as any, anywhere. When the operations are fully established and the range of products expanded, consumers are likely to find real bargains. As I walked around the 50,000 square foot shopping centre on Tuesday, 18/11/08, I was very impressed with the operations and am further convinced that St. Lucians can achieve whatever they put their minds to and that the team of investors and professionals of the group of companies do have a vision for their enterprise.
Monday, November 17, 2008 – It was time to look towards the OECS Economic Union. A very impressive ceremony was held in the Derek Walcott Square and attended by Prime Minister, Hon. Stephenson King, Members of Parliament, Ambassadors of OECS States and the Diplomatic Corps, Government Officials, Private Sector Representatives and Members of Civil Society. Addresses were delivered by the Chairperson of the OECS Economic Union Task Force for St. Lucia – Ambassador Dr June Soomer, Director General of the OECS – Ms. Len Ishmael, Chairman of the OECS Task Force on OECS Economic Union – Sir Dwight Venner, Prime Minister of Saint Lucia – Hon. Stephenson King and visiting Ambassadors of OECS nations.
It was noted that the OECS Economic Union is well advanced as common services in the judiciary, telecommunication, civil aviation, drug procurement, security, banking, are already being done on a collective approached.
To date only 4 States have launched the public discussions process. It is now the job of the local task force to lead the public discussions that will precede the establishment of an OECS Economic Union by December, 2009.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008 – The 124th Annual General Meeting of the St. Lucia Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture was well attended by Executives of leading Corporations, Government Officials and Entrepreneurs. President Christian Husbands was upbeat in his presentation and outlined the Chamber’s plans which include housing the Secretariat in the new year. The Annual Report of the Association gave an impressive account of the activities of the association over the past year.
The feature address was delivered by Hon. David Thompson, Prime Minister of Barbados and he shared many ideas to cope with the difficult times that are upon us. He said that the industry to watch is Alternative Energy. Prime Minister, Hon. Stephenson King made an impromptu contribution as he spoke about his plans to help the economy. Building roads and clean up campaigns are in the works.
In the past few days, it has been good news for St. Lucia, the OECS Economic Union is great for fulfilling the objectives of CSME and moving the States of the OECS closer to a Political Union. I am fully convinced that the CSME will be functional in the OECS while it will be very difficult for the larger States to make the sacrifice necessary to advance a CSME. Already Barbados and Belize are not enthusiastic about freedom of movement of other nationals into their territories.
In the OECS, we are forging ahead with the OECS Economic Union while our Private Sector and their Associations are as resilient as ever.
Here is my selected quote of the week.
COURTESY OPENS ALL DOORS
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There is no investment you’ll ever make that will pay you so well as
the effort to scatter sunshine and good cheer where ever you are.
The deepest principal in human nature is the craving to be appreciated.
If you treat someone as if they were what they ought to be and could be,
they will become what they ought to be and could be.
Everyone thrives on being appreciated, loved and needed.
There is no stimulus like that which comes from the consciousness
of knowing that others believe in you.
Applaud others when they run.
Console them when they fail.
And cheer them when they recover.
As water is to a flower, so is praise to the heart of another.
Copyright 2008 www.yourdailymotivation.com
Have a great weekend!
Keep the Faith, God is in Charge, A new Day is Dawning, 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