CHRISTMAS BRINGS GREAT PROMISE FOR SAINT LUCIANS IN 2017!
December 20, 2016
HARRIS AT LARGE!
CHRISTMAS BRINGS GREAT PROMISE FOR SAINT LUCIANS IN 2017!
To my readers of the Caribbean Diaspora and others around the world, it gives me great pleasure to wish you a MERRY CHISTMAS! It is that time of year when LOVE finds its way in the hearts of all people of goodwill. St. Lucians have a lot to be joyful for this holiday season as recent pronouncements by the Prime Minister, Honourable Allen Chastanet continue to point to the realisation of JOBS in the South and West coasts of the island as several projects are scheduled to kick start in 2017.
President Elect, Donald Trump has at the top of his agenda – JOBS! JOBS! JOBS! Like the USA, St. Lucia has severe problems with its roads and bridges which need urgent attention. The infrastructure will demand a sizeable investment to remedy the situation. Apart from developments in the hotel sector and new large scale projects, the future for job opportunities looks great in 2017. This gives every reason for many of the unemployed persons and those who need a job change or relocation to be joyful.
Investment flows will definitely improve in 2017. Foreign Direct Investment will return to our shores. St. Lucia hosted the INTERREG Conference at the Rex St. Lucian, Rodney Bay on Wednesday 14th December, 2016 where Entrepreneurs met with EU Officials to launch a special fund that will facilitate business development between the French territories and other Caribbean States. The fund is already moving ahead as 30 projects were approved. In order for English Speaking Caribbean resident business persons to access the funding, they must be in partnership with a French counterpart. There will definitely be increased demands on the Fund in the New Year.
The decision to change the Tourist Board to the Tourism Authority with employees of the Tourist Board being made redundant is very much on the cards and the format for the St. Lucia Jazz and Arts Festival after 25 years will no longer be the same. There is a proposal to have a Summer Festival lasting from May to November each year. There will be Jazz Week in May, ending with Creole and Heritage Festival in November.
I am hoping that Jazz Week will be a Jazz affair and not diluted with any other genre. In recent times, Jazz Festival was more like a Music Festival. I have always contended that the emphasis should have been placed on JAZZ. Then, there can be Reggae Festival, Rock Festival, Soul Festival, simply let the genres compete. Invite Entrepreneurs to bid to host the several shows and let some new Entrepreneurs emerge. I feel a lot can be achieved by the new approach. I am excited.
It is with heartfelt sympathy that I note the passing of Mr. Chris Renwick, O.B.E., one of St. Lucia’s outstanding Entrepreneurs. He was the Managing Director of Renwick & Co. Ltd. which operates a diversified Trading Company. His firm is the main distributor for Cement for several decades. He will surely be missed in the Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club of St. Lucia. In 2015 Mr. Renwick received the St. Lucia Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Agriculture – Lifetime Achievement Award.
This week’s recommended website is www.interreg-caraibes.fr
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