St. Lucia Simply Beautiful

With all that is going on, there is a need for established associations such as the St. Lucia Industrial & Small Business Association (SLISBA), the Southern Business Association, St. Lucia Manufacturers’ Association, and the Realtors Association St. Lucia Inc. to aggressively represent the interest of operators in the sector. In spite of the pandemic, there are many things that can be done to ensure that small business persons can survive now, and beyond COVID 19.

Other professions within the Construction Sector are regulated – Valuation Surveyors, Land Surveyors, Engineers, and Architects, all these professions are governed by legislation. What is so different about Real Estate Agents, that there is no urgency to regulate their industry? The Realtors who promote their businesses through websites and on social media platforms make a serious contribution to promoting tourism and investment on behalf of St. Lucia. This further proves that Real Estate professionals should be recognised.

It is time for our political leaders in the region to open up opportunities to everyone with a story to tell, to share it with their immediate community and the rest of the world. Self Education/Knowledge Industry is the new multibillion-dollar industry that is currently emerging. I am bold enough to say that thousands of home-based businesses are possible to come on stream, beginning today, if we will find a way of bringing our great, and not so great minds together, to develop and implement ideas that will help to alleviate the unemployment scourge which is causing a decline in social standards.  We can never provide the massive impact that is necessary to hit the core of the unemployment situation.

Let us for a moment look at the types of adjustments we have had to make in our lives as we sought to cope with the COVID 19 pandemic. The protocols demand that we adhere to 1. Washing hands. 2. Wearing Masks. 3. Maintaining social distancing. Those who practise the three foregoing protocols have in the main continue to save themselves and others. Not everyone is comfortable with wearing mask but the evidence has shown that it works. Washing of hands has brought about greater attention to personal hygiene. In the end, we will all benefit. Regarding social distancing, the nostrils have always been an area for dispersing germs including sneezing and blowing of the nostrils. Now, we are learning to keep our distance. However, many persons still insist on hugging, squeezing, and kissing rather than elbowing and fist jamming. We have made great progress; however, we still have a long way to go to be fully compliant with the protocols.

The challenge that is laid before the leaders of this world is for them to humble themselves and do what is right. The leaders, and by extension the people they govern must with one accord make a commitment to live righteous lives in peace and love. There are too many hidden agendas. When there is righteousness, nothing needs to be hidden from the people. Good governance is established in the laws of every nation, and good governance will always produce a blessed and happy nation.