THE URGENCIES OF 2017!
December 28, 2016
HARRIS AT LARGE!
THE URGENCIES OF 2017!
To my readers everywhere, especially those of the Caribbean Diaspora, it is my hope that you spent a most enjoyable festive season and that you are ready to face whatever challenge/s that may come your way in 2017. With just 3 days to go at the time of my writing this article, I am filled with expectations and anxieties like never before experienced in my adult life. I speak for many others who have expressed the same sentiments. It is a matter of urgency that we expect and receive better economic performance than was experienced in the past 6 to 7 years. It has been a downhill battle to survive; many have resigned to the fact that it is over, while many stood their ground and continue to keep hope alive. It has not been all doom and gloom, many Entrepreneurs in our midst the difficult times have done well, and will continue to excel.
Every year, the St. Lucia Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture successfully hosts their Awards Ceremony which highlights the excellence of St. Lucian Entrepreneurship. Already nominees for 2017 have been announced. However, speaking for the majority, things cannot be allowed to continue as usual, a change has got to come. We can no longer continue to do the same things expecting different results. It is not surprising that we no longer hear buzz words like Paradigm Shift, Thinking Outside the Box, Diversification, etc. Our political and community leaders went back to business as usual. It is time to wake them up. Those who show signs of moving forward with a different agenda – one that is in sync with the current trends, and consistent with the EASE of DOING BUSINESS, using INVESTMENT as the catalyst in moving forward must be encouraged and supported.
Based on my recent articles, you would have noted that St. Lucia is poised for a massive investment of US 2.6 Billion Dollars in the South of the island – Pearl of the Caribbean being promoted by Desert Star Holdings Ltd. But there are many more projects slated for 2017 in the South, the upgrading of the Hewanorra International Airport, building of new hotels and upgrading of existing ones. Developments are not only scheduled for the South; the North continues its expansion with two new hotels scheduled to be officially opened in 2017. Sandals Resorts International has signalled its intension to build a six star hotel on Pigeon Island Causeway. The year 2017 is St. Lucia’s year and there should be no stopping this little island state. Our time has come. This is massive!
While I pray without ceasing for this door of opportunity to be opened, I will not throw caution to the wind. We have been there before, even though not at this magnitude but expectations have been high in the past without yielding any positive outcome. However, this is the nature of business – some will fail and some will succeed. We should always strive to succeed rather than fail. This simple fact establishes the heavy burden on Leaders who are entrepreneurial in their approach to investments and as a result, ultimately take risks.
As we head for the churches on New Year’s Eve, let us become prayer warriors for progress, this will not be only for St. Lucia but the Caribbean as whole, including all member states of CARICOM.
The future look great for FDIs but how much more guaranteed that future will be if our friends in the Diaspora would turn their eyes to the Caribbean and seek out investments, and not leave it exclusively to the extra regional investors. It is for that reason that in my last article I encouraged my readers to own a piece of the rock. Any investment at this time in the South of island (the New Frontier) can only be positive. Apart from housing and land development, there are opportunities in every area of business. The South needs restaurants, retail Stores with quality products, specialised businesses and services, etc. If you have an idea that you feel the time has come for it to be introduced to the Caribbean, enter into a confidential agreement with a reputable Business Consultant and get an initial survey done to access the viability of the idea – will it fly? Look at all the big developments scheduled to come on stream in 2017. St. Lucia has all the indicators of being the right place to be in the Caribbean! Check the facts. This brings me to the point where I introduce you to this week’s recommended website – www.investstlucia.com
In parting, let me take this opportunity to wish you, your families and your associates – A Happy, Productive and Prosperous New Year. Demand the life you deserve!
Remember always to Keep the Faith, knowing that God is in Charge – Dream Big and Expect Miracles!
Edward Harris
Biblicist, Author/Publisher, Business Consultant, Real Estate Agent/Broker, Networker, CSR/Small Business Advocate & Motivational Speaker Email: jobfreelife72@yahoo.comWebsite: www.stluciasimplybeautiful.com Facebook Page:www.facebook.com/edharrisbiz