A SIMPLE STEP TO ESTABLISHING ST. LUCIA AS A
January 9, 2007
EDWARD HARRIS AT LARGE!
A SIMPLE STEP TO ESTABLISHING ST. LUCIA AS A
MAJOR DESTINATION FOR INVESTMENT & TOURISM!
Based on all the pronouncements to date and the ministerial appointments made in the areas of Commerce and Tourism, it is very clear that the Government is very conscious of the need for investments in our economy and to maintain the current momentum being experienced.
The wind is currently in the sail of the Government and the ship is cruising in the waters of investments. I am revisiting a document that I had the pleasure of preparing almost 10 years ago, and the conviction I had then remains the same today as when it was first written. I feel that simple steps in mobilizing global partnerships to promote St. Lucia as a Destination for Business and Pleasure can be taken with spectacular results.
It is in this regard that I once again ventilate a plan that will make it possible to achieve our most important economic goal – to attract Entrepreneurs and Investors:-
International Trade and Investment Representatives
1. The Persons: Male and Female.
2. Vocational Background: Business and Professional.
3. Qualifications:
a) Highly commended for contribution to society in general and to the immediate community in which the individuals operate.
b) Must be of integrity and would have established a track record of fair play in their relationships with others.
c) Must have a desire to promote St. Lucia as a destination worthy of consideration for Trade, Investment and Co-operation in the national development.
d) Must undertake at their own expense all necessary activities in keeping with the position of International Trade and Investment Representative.
e) Must be actively involved in Business/Community Associations.
f) Must be able to seek out opportunities to enhance the Goodwill of St. Lucia
4. Territories
Overseas Appointments
Representatives should be appointed in each of the 50 States of the USA and wherever the area to be covered necessitates more than one individual, the Coordinator of the Programme should be at liberty to make such appointments. This same approach should be for all major countries including, Japan, England, France, etc.
Local Appointments
Business Executives and Professionals who travel extensively on business, and confirm to the qualification criteria should be invited to participate and be appointed as International Trade & Investment Representative at Large.
5. Impact
(i) The direct benefit of such appointments will guarantee that St. Lucia is being promoted without cost to the Government in every major city of the World by hundreds of individuals.
(ii) As a direct result of the International Trade and Investment Representatives activities, Industry, Commerce, Tourism and NGOs will benefit substantially.
a. Industry
The promotion of St. Lucia as a destination offering Investors many benefits, including Tax Incentives will cause many enquiries to be directed to the National Development Corporation and improve the possibility of Joint Ventures between local and foreign Investors.
b. Commerce
Many Corporations, not currently doing business in St. Lucia will be invited to do so and opportunities for Regional Representation could be made available to St. Lucian Entrepreneurs.
c. Tourism
Increase in business and tourists arrivals and the opening up of opportunities for Incentive and Conference Tourism. The Representatives will work directly with business and social groups, including educational institutions and extend invitations to visit St. Lucia. eg: Spring Break, Annual Board Meetings, Conferences, etc..
d. NGOs
The base of NGOs could be expanded with new and innovative ones introduced to St. Lucia.
6. Incentives
(a) The Representatives should be given Citations/Appointment Letters. All Representatives should be exposed to an orientation programme designed for a duration of at least two days. All visits must be at the Representative’s expense.
(b) An Annual Recognition Ceremony should be staged in St. Lucia to recognize those Representatives who got results from their efforts as an encouragement for their involvement.
7. General
We live in an age of networking, lobbying and aggressive marketing. The more persons assisting, with a single purpose, i.e. to promote St. Lucia, we can be assured of a rewarding experience that will be beneficial in respect of Investments, Tourism Expansion and most importantly Jobs.
This document can be expanded upon but definitely shows a way forward if implemented properly. This is a very cost effective plan to promote St. Lucia and is well suited to be processed by the Internet.
My last article was not even printed where my headline called for a Secretariat for Innovation and Technology and I dealt with some aspects of Internet Marketing Programmes, I got word on the AGLOCO campaign which prompted my sending out this ALERT:-
…….. I have been tracking down Money Making Opportunities on the Internet with a passion. I am committed to take my Internet businesses to the next level in 2007 and I invite you to share my goal with me.
There is something developing on the Internet where a new breed of Internet Marketers are seeking to place value on the word FREE!!! If it is too good to be true, then it is, but since I have nothing to lose financially, I am not prepared to sit back and ask the question – Can Agloco deliver? I have jumped in and I invite you to do the same so that should Agloco deliver, my colleagues and I will not be left out. Please click on this Link: http://www.agloco.com/r/BBBM1300 ……
The Internet is a super highway providing traffic in all aspects of life, business being no exception. The information flow is simply overwhelming. My level of patience has improved tremendously since I have been prospecting the Internet. But it is a great place if you wish to be kept abreast of developments.
The Consumer Electronic Show (CES) was held in Las Vegas during the past week and it was all about Innovation and Technology. You can follow developments at http://www.cnet.com and check out the top 30 products. Apple was the talk of the Show as they introduced their iPhone which is expected to be in stores by June, 2007. I hope that some of our Distributors and Professionals visited the show.
In recent weeks, I have been receiving a number of different letters from many counties with persons inviting me to participate in a scheme to help them get money that is held in banks for them. Even a company in the Far East was inviting persons to accept funds for their invoices on their behalf so that they can evade foreign exchange regulations in their homeland. I wish to advise you to stay away from such offers. I am concerned about the frequency with which I receive these mailings. One thing is certain if persons were not falling prey to these bandits, the persistency would have diminished.
There is a recent push in the Internet Marketing business to acquire Internet Domains. Diamonds.com was sold for US$750M, Myspace.com for US$580M. Today, Domains are seen as Real Estate in the 21st century. SearchBigDaddy may be your place to make your fortune on the Internet. Establish your real estate on their planet. You can check it out at http://www.bigdaddypays.com/edharas If you wish to know more about Domains (the name of a website) I will be pleased to share this information with you.
Keep the Faith, God is in Charge! Commit to make 2007, your best year ever!
Edward A. Harris Email: eaharrisdestiny@gmail.com Website: http://www.edwardharris.ws