Invest Saint Lucia: Promoting Inward Investment Opportunities by Government of Saint Lucia

Issue 33 | 28 Sept, 2019

INVEST SAINT LUCIA:

Promoting Inward Investment Opportunities

Invest Saint Lucia Supports Next Generation of Business Leaders

INVEST SAINT LUCIA TO INTRODUCE BUSINESS INCUBATOR AND ACCELERATOR PROGRAMME

Saint Lucia Business Incubator & Accelerator Program Logo & Name Contest

03. Promoting Inward Investment Opportunities 04. Supporting Next Generation of Business Leaders

05. Invest Saint Lucia Hosts Entrepreneurship Meetup Achievements

06. Invest Saint Lucia to Introduce Business Incubator and Accelerator Programme

07. Make it Your Own .. The Rebranding 08. Why The Rebranding? 10. Saint Lucia Business Incubator & Accelerator Program Logo & Name Contest

12. Best Island in the Caribbean for Business and Pleasure

14. News Bites 2

Investing in Our

Future M any other.

ore than just another Caribbean island, more than just a small island, more than just sun, sea and sand, Saint Lucia may be small in size, but the dreams and aspirations of our people are as big as

Touted as “the best place to live, work, vacation, play and invest” the Government of Saint Lucia has been working alongside a number of partners and agencies, to strengthen the island’s infrastructure, perception, resilience and human capacity. This, while at the same time continuing to make Saint Lucia one of the leading holiday destinations in the world – a place for dream vacations as well as a place where our citizens can make their dreams come true too. The island has been voted several times as the World’s leading Honeymoon and Wedding Destination. However, Saint Lucia now has the added distinction of being named “Best Island in the Caribbean for Business”, by European Business Magazine, Europe’s leading subscriber-based publication. The Government, in recent years, has recognized that in order to advance the island’s socio economic development, the citizens must play a part by having a share and ownership in this development. To this end, the synergies with Government departments and agencies like the Ministry of Commerce, International Trade, Investment, Enterprise Development and Consumer Affairs, TEPA, SLASPA, SLTA, Events Saint Lucia and Invest Saint Lucia is seen as key. In this issue of Our Saint Lucia, we focus on one of these agencies, Invest Saint Lucia; its recent rebranding, as well as a thrust to encourage more entrepreneurship and local investments among our people. It is the hope that through the initiatives of Invest Saint Lucia, the island will be as renowned for its two Nobel Laureates as it will be for a cadre of world-class leaders, business-owners, innovators and pioneers. Editor, Toni Nicholas

Invest Saint Lucia: Promoting Inward Investment Opportunities

Our Saint Lucia: How important is this to sustaining Saint Lucia’s Economic Growth and creating employment.

DH: Entrepreneurship is an important building block of any sustainable economy with Saint Lucia being no different. Entrepreneurship does several things including; Improves productivity, spurs innovation and creates jobs.

We have recognized the role that entrepreneurship and innovation have played in the development of highly competitive and advanced developing countries, to improving overall living conditions and drive to wealth creation. We believe that this project is timely and will hopefully revolutionize our entrepreneur ecosystem to producing innovative businesses to compete on a national regional and global scale. Our Saint Lucia: When is the program expected to be fully launched?

DH: The program will be launched in four phases, commencing with a virtual business incubator in the last quarter of 2019. As part of ISL’s focus on Saint Lucian youth, we have engaged youth from the age of 16 – 30 to produce a name for and logo for Saint Lucia business incubator and accelerator program. The first phase will be followed by the launch of a growth accelerator in the first quarter of 2020, followed by a launch of the entrepreneurship hub and co-working space in the second quarter of 2020. The final phase will encompass the launch of the startup accelerator in the third quarter of 2020.

Invest Saint Lucia’s investment promotion and fulfillment officer Marie-Grace Walcott with Research and Development Officer Dave Headley.

Our Saint Lucia: Earlier this month Invest Saint Lucia held an Entrepreneurship meet-up. What was the rationale behind this initiative?

DH: Invest Saint Lucia realized that it was timely to engage

Our Saint Lucia caught up with Dave Headley who is the Research and Development Officer of Invest Saint Lucia. Mr. Headley gave us an overall insight about Invest Saint Lucia as well as the recent thrust to engage potential local investors and young entrepreneurs.

entrepreneurs to not only share their success stories with budding and existing entrepreneurs but to provide a platform to network and establish partnerships among entrepreneurs to further drive economic linkages. In addition, we see entrepreneurship as a key pillar to Saint Lucia’s sustainable economic development. Hence, ISL wants to be deliberate to driving entrepreneurship and innovation in Saint Lucia.

Our Saint Lucia: What is the overall mandate of Invest Saint Lucia?

Our Saint Lucia: Give us a sense of how successful this activity was and the feedback you have received so far?

DH: Invest Saint Lucia, is the official Investment Promotion Agency of the Government of Saint Lucia, it is responsible for stimulating, facilitating and promoting inward investment opportunities for both foreign and domestic investors in an effort to advance Saint Lucia’s SocioEconomic development. Our Saint Lucia: Explain the need for the introduction of the recent Business Incubator and Accelerator?

DH: Saint Lucia currently has a vibrant entrepreneur

culture. However, there is a need to establish a business framework that would guide and support start-ups, existing entrepreneurs and micro business with a special focus on the innovative Saint Lucian youth. It is evident that the entrepreneur ecosystem needs to be strengthened. Hence, a deliberate attempt is being made to foster collaboration with all the key stakeholders to drive innovation and entrepreneurship in Saint Lucia, while providing the necessary business support services needed to grow those businesses.

DH: The attendance was great, having entrepreneurs from several

sectors as well as established businesses in attendance. Most participants expressed their support for such an initiative. In addition, the feedback survey revealed that most persons are very likely to attend a future meetup. One of the main take-aways from the entrepreneurs was the need to include a platform to allow for display of products and services of the entrepreneurs in attendance which would further add value to the networking component. Our Saint Lucia: What other initiatives do you have in the pipeline to incentivize local entrepreneurship?

DH: In an effort to further drive entrepreneurship and innovation in

Saint Lucia, we would like to launch startup weekend in the near future. It is basically a learning and networking event where persons in just 54 hours, experience the highs, lows, fun, and pressure that make up life at a startup. They also learn how to create a real company, meet the very best mentors, investors, cofounders, and sponsors who are ready to help them get started.

The current Piaye Bridge Presently Accommodates Single Lane Traffic

Invest Saint Lucia Supports Next Generation of Business Leaders n keeping with its mandate to spur investment, Invest Saint Lucia lent its support to a youth mentorship initiative organized by local company HR Wise.

Called the EDGE Youth Mentorship Program, the not-forprofit program is designed to equip young persons between the ages of 16 and 21, with the information and life skills required to manage their transition from the school environment into the workplace and develop into well rounded citizens. The EDGE annual 3-week summer workshop, followed by internship opportunities, serves as an induction program for young Saint Lucians about to enter the world of work and is designed to improve knowledge, clarify workplace expectations and build strong work ethic. The program covers topics such as career planning and development, communication, workplace etiquette, customer excellence, employment essentials, personal brand, interview skills, social media and attitude, entrepreneurship, among others.

Ms. Goretti J Paul, founder and Managing Director of HR Wise, expressed her deep gratitude for Invest Saint Lucia’s continued support and emphasized the value of this innovative exercise. “EDGE serves as a platform for responsible corporate citizens to work together and make a positive impact on the social transformation of our young persons. This important group is key to the future success of our companies and by extension our country,” Ms. Paul said. Commenting on Invest Saint Lucia’s sponsorship, Marketing Officer Shirlyn Elliodore stated that, “For Invest Saint Lucia, the program is a perfect platform to engage young persons on the benefits of youth entrepreneurship. We see this program as a nursery for many young and aspiring business-oriented individuals to grow to appreciate entrepreneurship on a small and global scale as well as the intangible value of careeroriented mandates and goals. In addition, there is the added benefit of having access to a pool of job ready applicants but more importantly participating in engineering the overall success of Saint Lucia’s future business leaders.”

Invest Saint Lucia Hosts Entrepreneurship Meetup

nvest Saint Lucia (ISL) hosted a major event, dubbed “Saint Lucia Entrepreneurship Meetup 2019”, on Monday, September 2, targeting businessmen and businesswomen, motivated creators and dreamers. The event held under the theme “Doing What You Love and Being Successful Doing It: Ingredients for Success”, was held at Pink Papaya Restaurant, Pointe Seraphine. Project Coordinator at Invest Saint Lucia, Dave Headley, gave welcome remarks, telling patrons that the Meetup formed part of a wider sensitization campaign ISL is embarking on to stir up entrepreneurship on the island. The panel discussion included contributions from three of Saint Lucia’s most dynamic and inspiring entrepreneurs, namely Nydia Norville (Choiselle), Henson Hunte (Fun Foods Island Pops), and Ian Mitchell (eMagine Solutions). Moderator was Pauline Francis, Miss Massy Stores 2018. During the nearly two-hour-long panel discussion, the moderator posed questions to the panelists related to their personal journeys as entrepreneurs. They spoke about the difficulties they faced setting up their businesses as well as the challenges they face staying relevant and profitable.

Over 140 patrons attended the meetup, many of them posing questions to the panelists and inquiring how agencies like Invest Saint Lucia can assist them in setting up their businesses. Fostering greater entrepreneurship via effective nurturing, mentorship and direct access to key markets forms a critical part of Invest Saint Lucia’s mandate. To that end, ISL continues to seek new and innovative ways in which entrepreneurs can equip themselves with the tools that can result in the overall growth and success of their respective businesses. The Saint Lucia Entrepreneurship Meetup 2019 is a precursor to a broader programme currently being finalized by ISL, namely the Business Incubator and Accelerator Programme, which is expected to be launched by December this year. “There needs to be a deliberate attempt to encourage entrepreneurship, innovation and continuous improvement among our youth and wider society towards sustainable growth,” Minister for Enterprise Development and Consumer Affairs, Bradly Felix, stated at that meeting. Minister Felix added that entrepreneurship is a crucial factor to the global economy, contributing to growth, economic development and job creation. Through ISL, he said, Government will continue to strengthen the entrepreneurship ecosystem through

the introduction of the Business Incubator and Accelerator Programme. Meanwhile, ISL’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Roderick Cherry, notes that ISL eagerly anticipates the introduction of the Business Incubator and Accelerator Programme which, he believes, will stimulate the local economy, encourage inclusive economic growth, improve on sectoral linkages in the local economy and scale-up or assist in the internationalization of local businesses. “The Business Incubator and Accelerator Programme will provide start-ups and existing small businesses with a variety of business support services to further improve business operations,” Cherry said. Based on feedback from initial focus groups with various entrepreneurs, ISL realized that the networking among entrepreneurs at the sessions was very organic. “We believe that the Entrepreneurship Meetup is timely as we plan to launch the logo and name contest for the programme,” Cherry added. “We also want to spark the entrepreneurship and innovative thinking of Saint Lucian youth.” The “Meetup” ended with an ice-breaker networking activity, namely a Bingo, where three winners were presented with prizes. According to Headley, similar meetups will be hosted by Invest Saint Lucia over the ensuing months.

Stakeholders meet to concretize incubator and accelarator programme

INVEST SAINT LUCIA TO INTRODUCE BUSINESS INCUBATOR AND ACCELERATOR PROGRAMME

nvest Saint Lucia is today one step closer to the launch of a Business Incubator and Accelerator Programme, designed to foster greater entrepreneurship on the island, through effective nurturing, mentorship and direct access to markets.

Representatives from several local government agencies, banking officials, young entrepreneurs and other key stakeholders, met at the Coco Palm Resort on Tuesday July 9th, 2019 to further concretize the programme and agree upon the ideal framework to guide entrepreneurs seeking to establish successful businesses in the near future. Discussions were led by the international consultants on the project, CREEDA Projects, headed by Julian Webb and Thea Chase. Speaking at the gathering, Enterprise Development and Consumer Affairs Minister, Honourable Bradley Felix, recognized that in today’s global business environment, entrepreneurship has been the life blood to many economies through evident growth, economic development as well as job creation and as a result, “there needs to be a deliberate attempt to encourage entrepreneurship, innovation and continuous improvement among our youth and wider society towards sustainable growth”. The Minister noted that the Government of Saint Lucia through Invest Saint Lucia (ISL), is embarking on strengthening the entrepreneurship ecosystem with the introduction of the business incubator and accelerator programme. Business incubation and acceleration have been acknowledged as one of the principal means of providing a comprehensive range of business support services that can contribute to the successful establishment of new micro and small enterprises and the growth of fledgling ones. A business incubator and accelerator’s main goal is to produce successful firms that will leave the programme with good prospects for future growth and expansion. A key element of a Business Incubation and Acceleration Programme is that of an incubator space.

According to CEO of Invest Saint Lucia, Roderick Cherry “we are now in the final stages of designing an accelerator and incubator program which is expected to be completed by December 2019. This will provide start-ups and existing small businesses with a variety of business support services to further improve business operations”. Cherry further confirmed that “Invest Saint Lucia is eagerly looking forward to the launch of this service, as it is a tremendous avenue for growth of businesses in Saint Lucia, which is of course part of Invest Saint Lucia’s mandate. “ The CEO is of the firm belief that the enhancement of business competitiveness will stimulate the economy, encourage inclusive economic growth, improve on sectoral linkages in the local economy and scale up or assist in the internationalization of local businesses. Study tour Puerto Rico

INVEST SAINT LUCIA STUDY TOUR

nvest Saint Lucia is committed to better understanding the workings of the entrepreneurial ecosystem. On a study tour arranged by the Puerto Rico Department of Economic Development and Commerce, Invest Saint along with The National Competitiveness and Productivity Council - Saint Lucia, met with several business incubators and accelerator programs, and other entrepreneurial support agencies. On this visit, ISL was exposed first-hand to the set-up of these agencies as well as the best practices and resulting success stories.

INVEST SAINT LUCIA

MAKE IT YOUR OWN – The Rebranding Gros Islet Waste Water Treatment Plant

nvest Saint Lucia (ISL) is expected to roll out a number of initiatives geared towards engaging nationals and creating opportunities for employment, ownership and investment locally. The official launch of Invest Saint Lucia’s rebranding was held on Monday 30th September, 2019. A dynamic new look, accompanied by a cultural shift is expected to enhance the competitiveness of Invest Saint Lucia in the global market. The entity, according to it Chief Executive Officer Roderick Cherry needed more than just a cosmetic change. Thus an intensive rebranding exercise ensued. “We must be a leading business enabler, generating sustainable investments for the transformative development of the economy of Saint Lucia,” Roderick Cherry said at the rebranding launch. “Invest Saint Lucia has and will continue to leverage our detailed knowledge and experience while being customer centric, accountable and transparent, while working together as a team as we target high impact projects in Tourism, Manufacturing, Agriculture, Business Process Outsourcing and Real Estate Development that will enable linkages with the wider society,” he went on to say. According to the CEO, Invest Saint Lucia will endeavor to forge partnerships with key promotion agencies such as the

Saint Lucia Tourism Authority, Export Saint Lucia and CIP to create a united front for the promotion of Saint Lucia as the location of choice for investments, visitors and exports. In addition, ISL will engage key government agencies to highlight the common purpose of advancing the country’s socio-economic development and develop programs that enable land ownership by Saint Lucians in order to improve the socio-economic return on assets, while strengthening ISL’s execution capabilities by; “aligning our people, structure, processes, culture and leadership to our Mission, Vision and Strategy”. The rebranding of ISL, according to the CEO comes at a time when Government is rebranding Saint Lucia and all national agencies. “The first agency to develop and adopt the branding was the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority. In addition, all the other agency logos were streamlined into one modern, clean template. Invest Saint Lucia was included in this exercise,” Cherry pointed out. Further, Invest Saint Lucia needed much more than just a surface makeover. One of the key focal points of our Strategic Plan was the need for an entire cultural shift within the agency. As I describe the shift I know a lot of you are going to concur with me, this is not just relevant to our agency. We all know that now more than ever we must shift from a mindset of excuses to a

Invest Saint Lucia CEO Roderick Cherry mindset of possibilities, from “how things have always been done” to embracing change, from overreliance on processes at the expense of purpose, from operating in silos to partnerships and seeing the bigger picture, from looking at effort to looking at what is the outcome of all that effort, from seeing stakeholders as stumbling blocks or competition to seeing them as allies”. ISL according to the CEO, will now seek to bring investment solutions and revolutions to sectors that the world has never tried before, that Saint Lucia pioneers! “This is the island of firsts! First country named after a woman. First country to boast the most Nobel Laureates per capita and one of those Laureates, pioneered new economic models that we have yet to truly take to its highest manifestation. We must do this at a time when globally the world is trying to attain the Sustainable Development Goals outlined in the Agenda 2030,” Roderick Cherry stated. ISL with its new approach is looking for a different kind of investor. The entity is seeking investors who do not see Saint Lucia as just a lucrative market to exploit but a place and people to treat as their own. Hence the tagline “Invest Saint Lucia make it you own”.

Why The Rebranding?

Invest Saint Lucia (ISL) is a Business Support/Facilitation Agency under the administration of the Government of Saint Lucia. As a Saint Lucian agency, it falls within the umbrella branding of Saint Lucia which was rebranded for a streamlined new look.

Invest Saint Lucia needed to do more than just a cosmetic change, they wanted a culture change and a change in how they interacted with their national and international audience. Therefore, they undertook Intensive Brand Metamorphosis Management which included: • • •

A Brand Audit Brand Archetype/Personality Testing New Brand Archetype Embodiment- Visual materials, communication, organizational culture, salesmanship, Public Relations and Inter-agency Stakeholder Relations.

What Is The New Brand Personality?

PAST CAREGIVER Invest Saint Lucia was The Caregiver, a service-oriented Brand Personality typical among Service/Support Industries, Tourism Based Industries and/or in countries/cultures shaped by colonialism and the British education system and a conservative outlook that emphasizes duty, and adherence to rules and regulations. Indeed, the Client Experience of the brand is one where they have to initiate the relationship or it came about by referral or previous contact with ISL, it was not one where ISL proactively found them or innovated but rather facilitated and served. This is the foundation of the brand in terms of being service-oriented, trusted and amenable and reliable. It forms the background of all messaging. It is supported by the existing track-record of those who have benefited from being catered to well by Invest Saint Lucia.

PRESENT RULER

FUTURE CREATOR

Invest Saint Lucia is the promotional agency for a stellar investment marketSaint Lucia! Our island leads its competitors in several indices yet ISL was not flexing its muscles like a Ruler Brand Personality should. This is about to change. Invest Saint Lucia will be doing things with more consistency and achieving predictable positive outcomes, boasting about those outcomes as well as leading the field. There will be a new confidence, stronger salesmanship and leveraging of: • Satisfied clients and testimonials. • Choice of investor imagery • emphasizing ease of doing business All the Indices showing Saint Lucia excels and is upward trending over its competition, even those in larger markets.

Invest Saint Lucia will speak like a RULER! Deliver and interact with foreign investors like one too. Invest Saint Lucia can get here but it will require more autonomy, resources and support from Government. In the meantime, Investment Officers are being groomed to become bolder more confident, sales-pitching, network forming, ideas type individuals who go to conferences and make waves and come back with a myriad ideas and connections and know how to pursue them. Bold, innovative initiatives are going to be spearheaded that will absolutely impress clients and give them a different impression of Invest Saint Lucia as innovative and ground-breaking.

The New Tagline We are looking for a different kind of investor. We are looking for investors who do not just see our island as a lucrative market to exploit, but a place to treat as their own home, and our people as their own people. Long-term, sustainable and ethical investors are whom we wish to attract.

How Invest Saint Lucia Will Be Living Their New Brand Personality? Our Rebranding is not just cosmetic. It will involve: •

• • • • • • • • • •

New dynamic marketing materials including » Investment promotional video » Umbrella television commercial » Sector specific commercials and testimonials » A jingle » New trade show materials » Other print materials and promotional items Greater online presence through a new website and more social media engagement A new culture within our agency More proactivity and salesmanship in our foreign engagements Better foreign engagements with markets that are more ethical and environmentally responsible Crisis Communications Upskilling Persuasive Elevator Pitching Better Inter-Agency Collaboration Investment Awards “Invested In You” Indigenous Campaign Corporate Social Responsibility to encourage Impact Entrepreneurship.

Saint Lucia Business Incubator & Accelerator Program Logo & Name Contest

nvest Saint Lucia invites the creative and innovative Youth (16-30) in Saint Lucia to design a logo and a name for Saint Lucia Business Incubator and Accelerator Program (see pg 6). The logo and name may be used in all media- including online, print, on merchandise and other visual collateral.

ELIGIBILITY Must be a Saint Lucian National Youth age from 16-30 All submitted work must be the original work of the entrant(s) and must not include, be based on or derived from any pre-existing or third-party designs, trademarks or copy print images The proposed business name should be cleared by a business search name from the Registrar of Companies and Intellectual Properties (ROCIP) All entries will become the intellectual property of Invest Saint Lucia. By submitting an entry, each entrant agrees that any and all intellectual property rights in the logo design are deemed assigned to Invest Saint Lucia Except where forbidden by law, an entry submission into this contest constitutes permission to publicity purposes, without further permission or compensation.

The selected designer must submit a scalable vector of the winning design so that it is adaptable to electronic and print media, to production on small and large surface and to use in color or in grayscale.

REVIEW A selection committee will evaluate all entries based on the following criteria: Relevance – Does the logo and name align with the concept and objectives of the Business Incubator and Accelerator Program. Originality – Does the logo design exhibit original design, creativity and imagination Creativity – Is the name of the Business Incubator appealing and relevant to the target market. Aesthetic Quality – Does the logo command attention as well as display visual balance and color coordination? Do all the elements work together to create a united and appealing design?

PRIZE Winning prize – XCD $5,000

TIMELINE

Invest Saint Lucia reserves the right to modify the winning logo to better fit the needs of the initiative.

The deadline for submission is Friday 15th November 2019 by 4:00 pm. All projects will be submitted to dheadley@ investstlucia.com

The decision of the Selection team will be final.

The results of the winning project will be announced December 2019.

INVEST SAINT LUCIA UP AND ABOUT Invest Saint Lucia is certainly excited about its rebranding and in the coming weeks and months intends on getting the entire Saint Lucian community, at home and abroad as well as investors locally, regionally and internationally just as excited.

Nydia Norville

Moderator Pauline Francis, left, interacts with panelists Nydia Norville from Choiselle, Ian Mitchell from eMagine Solutions and Henson Hunte from Fun Foods — Island Pops at the Invest St. Lucia Entrpreneurship Meetup.

Brand Choiselle Meet Nydia Norville

nvest Saint Lucia felt privileged to have hosted the recent Entrepreneurship Meetup, utilizing the experience of young entrepreneurs to serve as panelists and mentors to the many invited guests and participants. Panelists were Henson Hunte from Fun Foods/Island Pops, Nydia Norville from Choiselle and Ian Mitchell from eMagine Solutions. The Entrepreneurship Meetup targeted young entrepreneurs described as “businessmen and businesswomen, motivated creators and dreamers”. The event was themed “Doing What You Love and Being Successful Doing It: Ingredients for success.” “Our Saint Lucia” caught up with Nydia Norville of Choiselle who said it was an honour to be part of such a milestone event. “As a bourgeoning entrepreneur, I know how important it is to hear other people’s success stories, their hits, their misses; it’s always an inspiration to me. And so I thought like wow, being invited to do that and share my experiences and stories with others, I certainly welcomed the opportunity,” Nydia told us. “It was also a wonderful opportunity to network with other entrepreneurs and the positive energy and the vibe at that event was just awesome” she added.

Nydia says she was very familiar with Invest Saint Lucia and the work that they do having reached out to them when she started her company in New York back in 2004. It was a plunge she decided to take, after a self- realization of the toll urban living was having on her skin, having migrated to New York and worked as an aspiring young model. She started developing products more suitable for her skin type, which redirected her senses to the remedies which she grew up with back in Saint Lucia. In 2014 she rebranded to Choiselle focusing on the potent powers of natural botanicals and a passion for formulating nature based skincare solutions that were, at once, effective, aesthetically pleasing and elegantly packaged. It was a journey not just back to Saint Lucia, but back to nature and to her own backyard and a family tree which was firmly rooted on the idyllic Helen of the West Indies. It was here that Nydia spent hours at the knee (or under foot!) of her grandmother, watching closely as she crafted hair and skincare concoctions for her granddaughter from organic botanicals harvested from the family garden. CHOISELLE pays homage to the spirit of the island, its people and the family heritage that inspired it all.

“Choiselle skincare is deliberately formulated to eliminate the need for harmful chemicals and synthetic fragrances that aren’t compatible with our skin’s nature. At the heart of each formula is a bounty of vitamin and nutrient rich botanicals, oils and plant butters with intensive reparative, protective and restorative capabilities. Because our skincare is packed with intensively hydrating, moisturizing and nutrient rich ingredients, a little goes a long way and provides long-lasting effects even after bathing and showering,” Nydia says. Only pure, essential oils are used to fragrance Choiselle formulas. “These extraordinary compounds, volatile molecules that are the life force of the plants, have incredible healing powers in addition to balancing emotions and lifting the spirit,” Nydia explains. Choiselle Products

Nydia Norville is now based in Saint Lucia and is keen on continuing to source the best organic raw material for the products. “So far so good” is how she responded when we asked how well her products were doing. They can be purchased online and on the Choiselle Website and is also available in Beverly Hills California at Clean Beauty Mart. The intention she says is now to expand to other markets in the region including the French territories as well as Europe and to continue to work more closely with Saint Lucian agencies such as Export Saint Lucia, SEDU and Invest Saint Lucia. Just last month Choiselle products were showcased in Germany at CARIFORUM.

SAINT LUCIA

BEST ISLAND IN THE CARIBBEAN FOR BUSINESS AND PLEASURE The Government of Saint Lucia has in recent years been touting the island of Saint Lucia as “the best place to live, work, vacation, play and invest.” Strengthening the island’s infrastructure and making it more accessible for Saint Lucians to become entrepreneurs at home, in a range of sectors has been part of the mandate. This, while at the same time continuing to make Saint Lucia one of the leading holiday destinations in the world. Here are just some of the international accolades that the island has been receiving as more than just sea, sun and sand…

Laureates per capita – the late Sir Arthur Lewis who won for Economics in 1979 and the late Sir Derek Walcott who won for Literature in 1992. This Eastern Caribbean island, with a population of approximately 173,000 people of diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds, continues to receive global acclaim as a choice niche market destination, among high-end tourists in particular. Saint Lucia’s wide range of accommodations includes world-class five-star resorts, all-inclusive resorts, niche/eco-tourism, chic boutique properties, luxurious holiday villas as well as health, wellness and spa retreats. Culturally rich offerings include the bustling marketplace in Castries, the capital city; quaint fishing villages along the coastline; and annual events such as the Soleil Summer Festival – which includes the popular Saint Lucia Jazz Festival as well the Roots and Soul and Creole Heritage Month. Historically, Saint Lucia is known as the “Helen of the West Indies”, a comparison of the island to Helen of Troy, who, according to Greek mythology, was considered the most beautiful woman in the world. Historical remnants as well as artefacts of early Amerindian inhabitants still exist and form part of island tours for the hundreds of thousands of cruise and stay over tourists who visit annually. Award-winning deep water harbours located in both the northern and southern parts of the island, provide quality facilities for cruise ships and modern heavy-duty equipment for cargo. Saint Lucia is also home to two yacht marinas including the IGY Rodney Bay Marina, which serves as the finish line for the annual Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC) now in its 29th year.

ny visitor to the 238 square mile island of Saint Lucia will understand, from first glance, why it is known the world over as a premiere tourism destination, capturing the coveted title of World’s Leading Honeymoon Destination by the World Travel Awards for a tenth time!

Whether one enters by air or sea, one cannot help but be captivated by Saint Lucia’s mountainous beauty, lush rainforests and its endless shoreline of palm-fringed beaches. But don’t think for one minute that this island, renowned for the hospitality of its people and its iconic twin peaks – “the Pitons” – a UNESCO World Heritage site, is only famous for its beauty and splendor. Saint Lucia is in fact the only country in the world with the most Nobel

The island offers prime real estate including green field properties earmarked for tourism development; agriculture and aquaculture farming; industrial development and housing – validation as to why Saint Lucia was recently voted Best Caribbean Island to Invest. Moreover, the island’s prospects for growth and development are boundless, given the number of projects that are either proposed or currently under construction. Investor confidence is rife and given Saint Lucia’s strong history of attracting & protecting investments, there are no limits to what can be realized. This is further evidenced by the fact that Saint Lucia was also identified as one of the countries outside the US, where companies will most likely locate within the next five years. A burgeoning middle class, political and economic stability, an industrious, well-educated workforce, and quality infrastructure are some of the considerations cited, when it comes to investing in Saint Lucia over other islands. Through the efforts of its investment promotion agency, Invest Saint Lucia (ISL), the Government has adopted a more targeted approach in relation to investments, ensuring that potential investors are environmentally conscious and socially responsible. Invest Saint Lucia is focused on stimulating and attracting investments in three key sectors, namely tourism; manufacturing;

and infrastructure and their respective sub-sectors such as eco-tourism, smart manufacturing and Business Process Outsourcing. Despite these competitive advantages, the Government is constantly working towards enhancing the investor experience by putting in place additional reforms and incentives to improve the business environment. – Europeanbusinessmagazine.com

Saint Lucia Wins Best Island to Invest In Award In October of 2018, Saint Lucia won the award for Best Caribbean Island to Invest in. That’s according to European Business Magazine, Europe’s leading subscriber-based publication, which boasts close to 90,000 C-level readers who range from senior corporate executives to decision makers, from some of the leading businesses across Europe. Saint Lucia emerged as the front-runner, surpassing several other Caribbean islands including Jamaica, which was the 2017 awardee.

confidence in the island’s potential as a choice investment location.

Saint Lucia has made CNN Travel’s list of the World’s Ten Most Beautiful Islands. On September 24, 2019 CNN named Saint Lucia, after Milos Greece),Bartolome (Ecuador),and Fregate(Seychelles) as one of the most beautiful islands in the world. “Bright-painted houses are strewn like confetti across St. Lucia’s steeply pitched slopes, which veer from rocky summits to the Caribbean shoreline,” CNN said. CNN went on describe the iconic Pitons as “the spectacular centerpiece of this beautiful island”. “Lush forest at the base of the mountains, which are part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, give way to miniaturized “elfin woodlands” at higher elevations. Here, look for fairy-sized hummingbirds, delicate ferns and trails shrouded in mist,” said the CNN special.

SAINT LUCIA’S TOURISM ARRIVAL FIGURES REVEAL MORE DOUBLE-DIGIT GROWTH According to the latest figures released to industry partners, the month of July saw Saint Lucia recording not only the highest number of visitor arrival figures ever recorded for the month of July, but also for any one month period in the island’s history. This surpasses the record set last March by 2.5%, when 41,741 visitors stayed on island.

Chief Executive Officer of Invest Saint Lucia, Roderick Cherry, was elated by this latest accolade. “This Award is testament to the hard work and dedication that Invest Saint Lucia has devoted to targeted investment promotion and marketing over the last few years,” he noted. “Indeed, our current projects, as well as those in the pipeline, are as a direct result of our more assertive and proactive investment promotion efforts at related overseas events and in various targeted international publications. ISL’s efforts have managed to alter the public and stakeholder perception of the agency as simply an investment facilitator, landlord and source of inexpensive land for both commercial and residential purposes. This repositioning to promote Saint Lucia as a more ‘investment friendly’ island, has apparently paid dividends and we’re looking forward to facilitating additional foreign direct investments into Saint Lucia in the not too distant future.” According to publisher Nick Staunton, “Saint Lucia’s award for ‘Best Caribbean Island to Invest’ was based on new projects; the expected returns on investment for the new projects in question; the yield and return on real estate; and Government assistance as it relates to tax incentives. “The island received over 30,000 votes over a 6-month period, with readers citing areas of significance such as standard of living, the preservation of domestic laws and ease of access,” he explained. Readers were also impressed with the current projects from international investors, which signals investor

In July 2019 Saint Lucia welcomed a total of 42,773 visitors, an increase of 13% or roughly 5,000 additional visitors from July last year. The US market grew by a whopping 23%, owing largely to the hosting of Carnival activities and the additional airlift from American Airlines out of Miami. The Caribbean market recorded 6% growth due to a series of summer vacation campaigns notably Carnival, Caribcation, Mercury Fest, the hosting of the Caricom Heads of Government Summit and the introduction of the second Capo Rosso ferry from Martinique.

Arrivals from France grew by 2%, the rest of Europe by 17% and the rest of World by 61%. Despite the overwhelmingly positive increases there were however some decreases in arrivals for the month of July from three markets, namely the UK 3%, Canada 3% and Germany 18%. Notwithstanding this, Tourism Minister Hon. Dominic Fedee says Year To Date July 2019, all markets are recording growth, except Canada and France, which are down 3.5% and 0.5% respectively.

News Bites

Online applications for Saint Lucian drivers’ licenses to be available in 2020 The government of Saint Lucia is seeking to modernize the vehicle licensing process.

Minister for Economic Development, Housing, Urban Renewal, Transport and Civil Aviation, Guy Joseph, explained that the processes at the Department of Transport will soon be fully automated and that citizens will be able to access the services online. Additionally, the current systems will be integrated so as to allow law enforcement access to relevant information to conduct their duties effectively. As the catalyst, the project has commenced with the Department of Transport and will seek to develop an application for applying for drivers’ licenses online. The license renewal process should be available in 2020.

Taiwanese Embassy Supports Campaign To Buy More Local Foods In a move to forge a closer relationship with the community and consumers at large, agriculture leaders in partnership with the Taiwanese Embassy have initiated a series of events that will serve to build interest in locally-produced foods, the people who grow them and the needs of the consumers.

The farmers market, embracing the ministry’s theme of “Eat Fresh; Saint

Lucia’s Best” is a strategic move to meet the general population at their point of need: apprising consumers of the latest developments within the agri-food sector, farming trends and food safety, providing an outlet where farmers get the opportunity to showcase their produce and encouraging the consumption of local crops. Last week, a farmer’s market held in Roseau was the project’s third hosting.

Saint Lucia launches new winter campaign This winter, UK holiday makers can take advantage of a new month-long promotion from the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority (SLTA). Running until the end of October, sun seekers can book a holiday in Saint Lucia and enjoy some winter sun or book ahead for their summer holiday, saving up to 70%. There are 12 tour operators taking part, including Blue Bay Travel; Simply St Lucia; Trailfinders; Best At Travel; Classic Collection; Tropical Sky; Sackville Travel; Dial-a-Flight; ITC, Kenwood Travel; Caribtours and LetsGo2. This means there is a range of holidays on offer to suit all budgets and tastes. The ‘Winter in Saint Lucia’ campaign has a dedicated offers landing page www. stlucia.org/offers on the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority’s website featuring the 12 tour operators as the call to action.

SLASPA celebrates the first Port Showcase

The Saint Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority (SLASPA), officially closed the curtains of its inaugural Port Showcase on Sep. 25, at the Harbour Club Hotel, official home of SLASPA Port Showcase. Under the theme “The Promenade of Port Connectivity” the event was the first of its kind for SLASPA, Saint Lucia and the region. The historic event aimed to promote community, connectivity and convergence; build relationships with customers, partners and stakeholders within the air and sea port community; and inspire students and aspiring entrepreneurs to pursue air and seaport related careers and avenues.

Saint Lucia establishes diplomatic relations with the Government of Nepal and the Republic of Rwanda In September 2019 Saint Lucia established relations with the Governments of Nepal and the Republic of Rwanda which seek to promote mutual understanding and strengthen cooperation between the countries.

The relations are guided by the principles of the United Nations Charter and international law, particularly the respect and promotion of international peace and security, equality among states, due respect for national sovereignty and territorial integrity, independence and international treaties, and noninterference in internal affairs of the states. Signing on behalf of the government of Saint Lucia was H.E. Ambassador Cosmos Richardson, Saint Lucia’s Permanent Representative of Saint Lucia to the United Nations.

Fuel Price Adjustments from September 30 The Public is hereby notified that in keeping with changes in international oil prices and Government’s application of the modified market pass-through petroleum pricing mechanism, the retail price of gasoline, diesel, kerosene, LPG 20, 22 and 100 lb cylinders has changed. The price changes take effect from Monday, September 30, 2019: Gasoline decreased from $2.98 to $2.91 per litre or $13.57 to $13.21 per gallon Diesel decreased from $2.88 to $2.82 per litre or $13.07 to $12.81 per gallon Kerosene decreased from $1.93 to $1.79 per litre or $8.76 to $8.12 per gallon 20 Pound Cylinder (9.07 kg) increased from $32.07 to $32.28 per cylinder 22 Pound Cylinder (9.98 kg) increased from $35.55 to $35.79 per cylinder 100 Pound Cylinder (45.36kg) increased from $204.16 to $205.22 per cylinder The Public is informed that the next adjustment of the retail price of fuel products will be on Monday October 21, 2019.

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Government of Saint lucia

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Dominic Fedee

www.facebook.com/dominicfedee Sept 23 CNN rates Saint Lucia in the world’s 10 most beautiful islands #LetHerInspireYou #TravelSaintLucia

Ezechiel Joseph

www.facebook.com/ezechieljoseph758 Sept 20 FAO, Saint Lucia collaborate on fisheries policy development The Department of Fisheries in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) hosted a workshop for stakeholders this week, to develop a national fisheries policy which will inform the way in which the sub-sector initiates actions to sustain, safeguard and expand fisheries livelihoods.

Herod Stanislas

www.facebook.com/herodstanislas Sept 25 New maritime training program launched The Government of Saint Lucia, in collaboration with the Saint Lucia Social Development Fund (SSDF), has launched a maritime training program for the yachting sector. The program, which targets young men in Soufriere more commonly known as “boat boys” aims to build and expand the capacity of the Soufriere Yacht Service Association (SYSA) in order to generate economic benefits.

Stephenson King

www.facebook.com/stephensonking Sept 25 My team at the Department of Infrastructure just concluded a Press Conference on the Road Improvement and Maintenance Program (RIMP IV).Thank you to the media for coverage.Today also marked commencement of a Robust Communications Strategy, to educate Saint Lucians on what is being done to fix their roads.We will spare no effort in communicating the business of the people to ALL interests.

Allen Chastanet

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Lenard “Spider” Montoute

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Sarah Flood Beaubrun

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Guy Joseph

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Mary Isaac

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Bradly Felix

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Dr. Gale T C Rigobert

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Fortuna Belrose

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Hermangill Francis

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Edmund Estephane