STAR Businessweek - 30 December 2017

THE STAR BUSINESSWEEK DECEMBER 30, 2017

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Chinese contractor sued over $3.5bn Bahamas resort A subsidiary of China State Construction Engineering, the world’s largest publicly traded contractor, has been dragged into a New York court on allegations it intentionally hampered the development of a $3.5bn luxury casino resort in the Bahamas.

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THEN AND NOW:

WHAT THE PANAMA CANAL MEANS FOR THE CARIBBEAN

BY ED KENNEDY, STAR BUSINESSWEEK CORRESPONDENT

The opening of the Panama Canal in 1914 was destined to change the world. The expansion of the canal, with works completed in June 2016, was in response to a changing world. The expansion project, which took almost a decade to complete, cost roughly US $5 billion. In its first year of new operations, an extra 25 million vessels sailed through. This achievement is undoubtedly notable but what does this upgrade ultimately mean in the context of the Caribbean?

Continued on page 4

Carnival: cruise control

The modern seafaring renaissance is more concerned with charting a course to the nearest all-you-can-eat buffet than any strange new lands. A surge in cruises means an estimated 25m people set sail on floating package holidays this year — up a fifth in just five years.

There is little reason to expect the direction of travel to change.

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THE BALANCING ACT OF GREEN ENERGY ADOPTION

BY ED KENNEDY, STAR BUSINESSWEEK CORRESPONDENT

The STAR Businessweek

BY CHRISTIAN WAYNE – EDITOR AT LARGE

Ladies and gentlemen, it is time once again to indulge in a little self-love by congratulating ourselves for making it to the finish line of 2017. Whether you sprint over the red line into 2018 with your arms spread wide, or whether you just crawl over it on your hands and knees, congratulate yourself nonetheless. Judging by the evening news headlines over the past year (yes, I’m thinking of Pyongyang’s Rocket Man), I think it’s safe to say that, as a whole, we all barely made it.

If anything, 2017 was the year that globally-accepted political norms went out the window. Brexit. Donald Trump.

The Middle East. Russia. North Korea.

The list goes on but if there’s one thing that’s certain, it’s that 2018 has even more surprises in store. I’m not much for predictions but perhaps the world will see its first trillion-dollar company towards the end of 2018 . . . while 80 per cent of the world continues to survive on less than $10 a day.

In this issue of STAR Businessweek we’re looking at two major opportunities that Caribbean businesses and policymakers should continue to watch: trade and renewables. Start with our cover story What The Panama Canal Means For The Caribbean, followed by The Balancing Act Of Green Energy Adoption here on page 2.

The STAR isn’t the only one looking to the Caribbean though. Read this week’s articles from The Financial Times that dive into Carnival Cruise Lines’ revenue performance for 2017 (page 7) and the latest chapter in the legal firestorm between the developers behind the Baha Mar resort in the Bahamas, and the Chinese state-owned engineering firm that bailed them out of bankruptcy (page 3).

All this and more in our final 2017 issue of The STAR Businessweek.

The STAR Businessweek Nothing Personal. It’s Just Business.

Stay connected with us at: Web: www.stluciastar.com Social: www.facebook.com/stluciastar Email: starbusinessweek@stluciastar.com

Caribbean electricity prices are among the highest in the world. If you’re reading this now, the odds are good that you know this, and lament it. In Saint Lucia, recent years have seen an average price of around 34 cents (US$) per kilowatt hour (PKH).

Compared to the average of 33 cents seen around the Caribbean, that is not a big difference.

A 33 cents average when compared to the US average of 12 cents PKH though? That’s a different story. Even when cost estimates vary - and prices go up and down when variables like renewable energy sources are introduced into a nation’s power grid whichever way you look at it, the region is expensive electrically.

The price gap, and the great frustration surrounding the untapped potential of the Caribbean as an energy epicentre, especially with further innovation, is what makes this such a big story. Let’s look now at this in-depth.

WHY IS IT SO EXPENSIVE?

The geography of the Caribbean is a blessing for many industries.

Unfortunately, power generation is not one of them. In the absence of a strong coal or oil reserve in its territory, an island nation has traditionally needed to import energy.

Distance and borders bring higher costs.

The shift towards renewable energy offers the potential to change this dynamic. But it also comes with new complications.

Firstly, the effective transition of a nation’s energy sector from traditional to renewable energy, while minimising disruption to employment and the economy.

Secondly, the minimisation of any price rise in electricity costs, if price rises are indeed ultimately required, as a result of the shift from fossil fuels to green power.

If only for its own future, any government will be wary of any new policy that will see a direct hit to a voter’s hip pocket.

Sustainable energy costs emerging as key election issues in many nations, globally shows this.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR CLIMATE CHANGE?

The Caribbean also sees the ongoing use of traditional energy directly linked to the immense risk that climate change poses to the region and its economies. Put simply, as a maritime region with abundant coastline, the Caribbean has as much ‘skin in the game’ when it comes to climate change as

any other region around the world. And in many ways more.

It’s true that the efforts of our region to address the shift may seem small when compared to giant powers like the US and China. Nonetheless, challenges like rising sea levels can be met with apathy from some other countries who also retort, ‘What is your nation doing about it?’

When it comes to energy efficiency the Caribbean has no choice but to be ‘all in’ on change. Developing local energy is a complex challenge but the equation is simple: if the region can do it, it can lower prices.

BRINGING ALL PARTNERS TOGETHER

If the starting problems are clear, what issues are regularly encountered in addressing them?

For Caribbean nations, a shift to greater renewable energy is often a mix of work, timing and luck. This was seen in 2017 here in Saint Lucia. At the start of this year the prospects for construction of a wind farm with multiple stakeholders was looking promising. Envisioned to have a potential output of up to 12MW, the farm was to be created in Dennery.

Then in March progress was stalled as a private partner - WindTex Energy - withdrew. This experience may be frustrating to many Saint Lucians but it is not unique. It is reflective of the challenges in pursuing progress within the renewable energy sector, itself subject to political and economic headwinds like any other area‚ that can make the sustainable energy sector unstable.

The setback notwithstanding, there are other avenues for other energy sources.

The Chastanet Government spent much of 2017 working towards a target date of 2018 for drilling to begin on a geothermal project. Such an experience could suggest the shift towards sustainable energy is the case of ‘when a door closes, a window opens’.

In reality it’s a balancing act. As with other issues in business within the region, the core risk is that progress doesn’t come fast enough. Past performance is no guarantee of future behaviour; one need only look at the dramatic shift on focus that Washington has made since US President Donald Trump was elected, repealing the Obama Administration’s climate change plan and dropping climate

change as a US national security priority.

Nonetheless‚ the core risk would come with a gradual approach to change. Even if the people of the Caribbean are more conscious than many others around the world about the immediate dangers of climate change, it is still easy in the back and forth of day by day political debate to see something put into the ‘later’ basket.

In January 2016 a barrel of oil was US $29. As we look to January 2018, it is double that at $58. The most severe effects of climate change may remain at a distance to some - and the good work done now could well arrest some of them before they arrive - but the economics of Caribbean energy could quickly become far more difficult.

CONCLUSION

Setbacks notwithstanding, the tremendous work of the public and private sector in the region cannot be overlooked. Regional governments have been leading supporters of UN action on climate change, many ratifying the UN Paris climate agreement on the day it came into effect on 22 April 2016.

On a national level, a number of nations like Bonaire and Barbados already have green power, Bonaire utilising wind, and Barbados solar energy. LUCELEC is set to open its 3MW solar farm in the spring of 2018. The differences in these technologies show that while there are no quick fixes or magic answers, a variety of solutions is on offer.

In the private sector, as our region is home to many large resorts, the capacity for these destinations to lead as large selfsustaining businesses is considerable. In fact it’s already been done by St. Maarten’s Westin Dawn Solar Resort and Spa. Action on energy prices can bring action on climate change. In energy policy in this region at the start of 2018, it’s an ideal time for a surge of momentum. The old adage ‘the best time to fix a hole in the roof is when the sun is shining’ rings true.

A nation that pursues energy security will help lower prices in its territory‚ and drive action on lowering prices across the region.

Strong action to stop climate change across our nations will keep pressure up globally for further action on climate change across all nations. At home and around the Caribbean‚ electricity cost and innovation will be a core issue of the year ahead.

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© The Financial Times Limited [2017]. All Rights Reserved. Not to be redistributed, copied or modified in anyway. Star Publishing Company is solely responsible for providing this translated content and the Financial Times Limited does not accept any liability for the accuracy or quality of the translation

CHINESE CONTRACTOR SUED OVER $3.5BN BAHAMAS RESORT

BY FT CORRESPONDENT

The Baha Mar resort was once expected to add 12 per cent to the Bahamas’ gross domestic product

A subsidiary of China State Construction Engineering, the world’s largest publicly traded contractor, has been dragged into a New York court on allegations it intentionally hampered the development of a $3.5bn luxury casino resort in the Bahamas.

The complaint brings head to head the son of an Armenian peanut magnate with one of China’s most powerful state-owned companies over a sprawling seaside hotel and casino complex near Nassau, the Bahamian capital.

With 2,200 rooms, private beaches and a golf course designed by Jack Nicklaus, the Baha Mar resort was once expected to add 12 per cent to the small island nation’s gross domestic product.

Instead, it filed for bankruptcy in 2015 after failing to open on schedule, a factor that led S&P Global to downgrade the sovereign rating of the Bahamas. The project was eventually acquired by Hong Kong-based Chow Tai Fook Enterprise — the parent of a jewellery group that is bigger than

FOOD & RUM

Tiffany’s — and the resort launched in April this year under the new ownership.

But the dispute between the original developer and the Chinese contractor has raged on.

BML Properties, which started the development in 2005, alleges that Baha Mar contractor China Construction America intentionally delayed the development of the resort while charging BML hundreds of millions of dollars in fraudulent fees.

The complaint, filed to the Supreme Court of the State of New York, alleges a wide-ranging conspiracy to undermine the project, such as knowingly understaffing construction sites and using it as a training facility for new employees, resulting in persistent delays.

BML also claims CCA sought to sabotage aspects of the project and moved machinery and workers from the Baha Mar site to that of a competing project.

The developer is seeking $2.25bn in damages from the Chinese company.

BML is controlled by Sarkis Izmirlian, the son of an Armenian businessman with holdings in a Switzerland-based agricultural

BML Properties, which started the development in 2005, alleges that Baha Mar contractor China Construction America intentionally delayed the development of the resort while charging BML hundreds of millions of dollars in fraudulent fees

company specialising in peanut farming. Mr Izmirlian was awarded the project by the Bahamian government in 2005 but took on emergency investment from CCA and a $2.45bn loan from state-controlled ExportImport Bank of China following the global financial crisis.

Since the bankruptcy of the project in 2015, BML and CCA have clashed in other court battles, with BML seeking $192m in damages in the UK High Court in 2015.

Shanghai-listed CSCEC, with a market capitalisation of about $42bn, is one of the world’s largest construction companies. Earlier this year it invested in a Manhattan residential tower and is also building a stadium in North Carolina, Africa’s tallest building in Nairobi and social housing in Panama.

CCA did not respond to an emailed request for comment and representatives at its parent company in China could not be reached on the phone.

SAINT LUCIA

FOOD & RUM SAINT LUCIA

JANUARY 12 – 14, 2018

information@stlucia.org

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EXCITING MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT Photo courtesy of: Big Chef Steakhouse

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Then and Now:

WHAT THE PANAMA CANAL MEANS FOR THE CARIBBEAN Continued from page 1

When it first opened‚ the Panama Canal sliced travel times, allowing ships travelling from the Atlantic to the Pacific to forgo a far longer journey along the South American coast‚ and especially the nautical dangers of sailing around the Cape of Good Horn. It was a revolution in global business. Today‚ global business is in a state of perpetual revolution.

The ever-growing globalisation of our economy‚ the digitisation of industry‚ and the ongoing impacts of disruption across the board mean that the pace and scale of change are greater than ever before. And all this with artificial intelligence, blockchain, and self-driving vehicles on the horizon. These changes don’t mean that the canal is less valuable‚ but it does hold a different value.

THEN AND NOW

Everybody recognizes that the world was very different 100 years ago. Yet, it’s only when one contrasts 1914 with now, that the immense growth and scale of change is apparent.

When the Panama Canal opened, the first Model T Ford had been out for less than a decade.

It was not until over a decade later, in 1926, that the first international telephone call was made, and not until the 1950s that the TV began to find widespread adoption around the world.

It took until the 1990s for the internet to shift from being used largely among military, scientific and academic circles to something that was mainstream, and would forever change our personal lives‚ and business. These changes illustrate why the canal’s opening was significant in its time.

It will be important to watch the future use of the canal. Expanding the canal’s capacity

as a tool of economic productivity is, at its core, an effort to ‘future proof’ it, amidst a period of immense global change.

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR THE CARIBBEAN

The Caribbean is a completely different region to what it was 100 years ago. In 1914, many nations of our region were still governed out of European capitals; the sense of certainty, confidence, and pride surrounding our own unique national identities that would come decades ahead with campaigns for independence, was still being formed and established.

Today, our region in the New World is still young and growing but already boasts a rich mix of history, peoples and cultures. More growth and diversity here is surely always welcome, but certainly the Caribbean has a great foundation in this already. Ultimately, it’s in the economic field that the region will need diversity, especially as the shape of the seas around us is changing.

Precise estimates and annual GDP may vary slightly but it’s clear that the Asian region will be the economic engine room of the 21st century. Asia holds the already huge economies of Japan, China and India. Beyond this, the future growth of Australia, South Korea, Indonesia and Taiwan - all in the top 25 economies of the world - will shift the balance further. The Caribbean holds historic links to Europe but its economic future will increasingly reside in Asia.

A STORY OF THE AMERICAS

When the Panama Canal was created last century, it was conceived for the Atlantic to meet the Pacific. Soon the world’s economic power will be driving trade from the Pacific to the Atlantic.

It is difficult to predict the benefits, or consequences, of the expansion of the Panama Canal. The project will lead to increased competition between regional ports and shipping lines and undoubtedly the shippers will be the clear winners

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It is not only the country of Panama that has prepared for this eventuality. Recent years have seen a new momentum surge in Nicaragua, one that would finally see the creation of its own canal.

Beyond this, in the far north of the Americas, the Northwest Passage has begun to open. The potential for it long-term is unclear, especially given the territorial dispute between the Canadian government which seeks to claim it, and all other nations which seek to sail through it. Whatever the case, ships are now sailing faster through it, and its viability is growing.

HOW MUCH WILL THIS MATTER?

Today, our region in the New World is still young and growing but already boasts a rich mix of history, peoples and cultures. More growth and diversity here is surely always welcome, but certainly the Caribbean has a great foundation in this already.

Ultimately, it’s in the economic field that the region will need diversity, especially as the shape of the seas around us is changing

We remain a world of material goods and products. That is unlikely to change any time soon, especially as - for all the new growth and shifts that the rise of a digital economy will bring - construction materials, machinery, and consumer goods will always need to be transported.

Nonetheless, the balance between traditional ‘bricks and mortar’ businesses, and online-only digital offerings, is only set to shift further, and to do so away from Europe, towards Asia, as eCommerce is set to grow rapidly. The Panama Canal’s expansion is a story of building on the economic growth of the 20th century, but also represents a clear break from it.

WHAT MATTERS MOST TO THE CARIBBEAN

The Caribbean region is one of unique challenges and opportunities for the future. As a region with a relatively small population, small land mass, and huge bodies of water between our people, the potential to compete with a nation like Japan or Taiwan in manufacturing would not be possible. Nor could we outpace the United States in agriculture, or Germany in pharmaceuticals.

Increasingly though, these factors are of diminishing importance to the future of the global economy. The need for effective administration of digital goods and assets is growing.

The Caribbean is already a recognised global destination for travel and finance and, some of the controversies with the latter notwithstanding, has central proximity between East and West, and also two existing industries to take advantage of it.

A focus on building skills over growing shipping may ultimately be the order of the day for the future, then. People of the Caribbean who embrace what the expanded canal signifies about the region’s future, as opposed to turning from it, will sail strong into the future.

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CORPORATE

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HANDS

THE LANDINGS RESORT SPREADS CHRISTMAS CHEER FOR THE BOYS AT THE BTC For the past two years, the boys residing at the Boys Training Centre at Massade, Gros Islet have maintained a special bond with The Landings Beach Resort & Spa, specifically the General Manager Mr. Wilbert Mason.

Throughout the year The Landings Resort has provided food for special celebrations including the annual Christmas Party.

The Boys Training Centre has developed many initiatives aimed at the successful rehabilitation of the residents including sports development, woodwork, art and an active choir, with the formation of a band as a future aspiration. Recognising this, The Landings Resort saw it fitting to pledge support by way of musical instruments this Christmas, along with some Christmas treats.

The donated guitars are a splendid gift as they enable more boys to participate in the music programme while alleviating the cost of purchasing the instruments.

This contribution is part of the resort’s at-risk youth community outreach programmes which its GM strongly supports.

Stated Mr. Mason: “I use the philosophy of moving from good to great to help inspire the youth who see their current situation as a lifetime sentence. We must take the time to encourage and applaud the future leaders so they can start believing in themselves again.”

If you wish to support the Centre, please contact Elvin Ryan Germain: 450 8336 or elvinryangermain@gmail. com/ elvin.germain@govt.lc

The Landings Resort hosted a tour of its luxurious apartments for The Boys Training Centre. The tour began with a cool towel and cold beverage and ended with motivational words from The Landings’ management team

HOUSE & LAND FOR SALE

Fond Cacao Development S O U F R I E R E - S T. L U C I A

Lot Area/Size Building Area Open Area Bedrooms

11,335 sqft 1,726.66 sqft 9,608.34 sqft 13.8 sqft

The house is located in the south-western section of Saint Lucia in Fond Cacao Development (part of the Debuolay Estate), in the Quarter of Soufriere. The property (which was built and designed by Consolidated Designs), is in an upmarket private residential development & commercial area and is ideally situated with easy access off a paved road, leading to the Diamond Falls.

The house comprises 2 master bedrooms with en-suite, a spacious open plan lounge / dining area and kitchen. The property has ceramic tiled floors and jalousie windows throughout with exposed timber frame ‘high’ ceilings (with a varnish finish). The property and land has open space for future expansion and is ideal for residence and as a weekend country home.

Pearl Moore

For further information Contact: Mobile: +44 (0)790 181 4140 Email: pearl.moore@sonymusic.com

The Saint Lucia Government Gazette FISCAL INCENTIVES

LIST OF PARTICIPATING JURISDICTIONS FOR THE AUTO-

Approved Enterprise: Dr. Freezers Ice Cream Parlour and Fast Foods Ltd. Approved Product: Cakes, pastries, ice cream and shakes Production day: The production day Dr. Freezers Ice Cream Parlour and Fast Foods Ltd. is the 1st day of June, 2010.

Benefit to Income Tax: (A) 100% waiver of Income Tax for a period of 3 years. The declared benefits terminate on September 30, 2022.

Benefit to Import Duty: (A) 100% waiver of Import Duty for a period of 5 years.

The declared benefits terminate on October 31, 2020.

The Minister for Finance, the Honourable Allen Chastanet, has

TOURISM INCENTIVES Approved Development: The upgrade of Aanola Villas

by Aanola Villas Ltd. Benefit to Income Tax: 100% waiver of Income Tax for a period of 5 years. The declared benefits commence on June 1, 2022 and terminate on May 31, 2027.

Benefit to VAT and Customs Duty on Imports: (A) 100% waiver of VAT and Customs Duty on fixtures and equipment (B) 100% waiver of Customs Duty on alternative energy and energy saving equipment for a period of 5 years.

The declared benefits terminate on May 31, 2022.

Benefit to Property Tax: 100% waiver of Property Tax for a period of 5 years. The declared benefits commence on June 1, 2022 and terminate on May 31, 2027.

Approved Development: Genesis Casinos (St. Lucia) Benefit to Import Duty: (A) 100% waiver of Import Duty on all building materials, furnishings, gaming equipment, and software for a period of 2 years. The declared benefits commence on January, 2017 and terminate on December 31, 2018.

MATIC EXCHANGE OF FINANCIAL ACCOUNT INFORMATION. approved the following States as Participating Jurisdictions for the purpose of the automatic exchange of information as per section 9(2) of the Automatic Exchange of Financial Account Information Act, No.22 of 2016 (as amended).

Antigua & Barbuda Aruba Italy Belize Latvia Canada Malta Cook Islands Nauru Czech Republic Romania Finland Sint Maarten Greenland Switzerland India Indonesia Isle of Man Barbados Korea British Virgin Islands Luxembourg China Mexico Curaçao Poland

Estonia Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Ghana Spain Hungary Uruguay Vanuatu Australia Japan Bermuda Lebanon Cayman Islands Marshall Islands Costa Rica Netherlands Denmark Russia France Slovakia Grenada Trinidad and Tobago Argentina Israel Belgium Kuwait

Bulgaria Malaysia Colombia Montserrat Cyprus Portugal Faroe Islands Saudi Arabia Gibraltar Sweden Iceland Ireland Austria Jersey Brazil Lithuania Chile Mauritius Croatia Norway Dominica Saint Kitts and Nevis Germany Slovenia Guernsey United Kingdom

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© The Financial Times Limited [2017]. All Rights Reserved. Not to be redistributed, copied or modified in anyway. Star Publishing Company is solely responsible for providing this translated content and the Financial Times Limited does not accept any liability for the accuracy or quality of the translation

CARNIVAL: CRUISE CONTROL

BY FT CORRESPONDENT

Carnival revenues rose more than 8 per cent in the fourth quarter

The modern seafaring renaissance is more concerned with charting a course to the nearest all-you-can-eat buffet than any strange new lands. A surge in cruises means an estimated 25m people set sail on floating package holidays this year — up a fifth in just five years.

There is little reason to expect the direction of travel to change.

Carnival, the world’s largest cruise company, will reap the rewards. The Miami-based company reported full year revenue of US $17.5bn on Tuesday, up 7 per cent on the previous year and slightly ahead of expectations.

This in spite of some literal headwinds. Shares in the cruise giant, which is dual listed in London and New York, lost momentum when Hurricanes

Harvey, Irma and Maria hit the Caribbean this autumn. The region is responsible for one-third of the industry’s capacity and bad weather depresses booking volumes.

Happily, cruisers seem to have deep pockets.

Carnival can keep revenue up by raising ticket prices. Net revenue yields, a favourite industry metric that measures revenue minus costs per berth, rose in the last quarter of the year by 4.2 per cent.

Successfully raising prices can do wonders. So would next year’s industry plan to target a younger audience, including “voluntourism” and sustainability.

One thing the industry has yet to crack is the millennial market. For now that is not a problem. There are plenty of new customers in the older age bracket left to entice. Cruise Lines International Association, the trade

One thing the industry has yet to crack is the millennial market.

For now that is not a problem. There are plenty of new customers in the older age bracket left to entice

association, projects a new high of more than 27m individual trips next year.

A potential problem lies in capacity.

Carnival will add four new ships to its fleet of 103 next year. Older ships will be retired so the capacity increase will be relatively small. Later, however, it will start to climb — up 5.5 per cent in 2019 and 7.4 per cent in 2020.

This is ambitious growth given Carnival trades at 19 times enterprise value to earnings before interest and tax — a typical metric for cruise liners — an industry high. But advance bookings for the first half of next year are already ahead of last year, according to the company.

Persuading younger passengers to come on board will mean filling those empty rooms is even easier.

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MAKING

MOVES

OECS 30 UNDER 30’S RANDY LAFONTAINE MAKES STRIDES IN THE TOURISM INDUSTRY

BY NELLY CHARLEMAGNE, STAR BUSINESSWEEK CORRESPONDENT

G

iven the tough economic climate, you can spend ages searching for viable employment, or you create it yourself – which is what Randy Lafontaine did.

Having garnered knowledge of the tourism industry through his stint as a butler, he created St. Lucia Travel & Tours. Various accolades attest to his dedication and his drive, so STAR Businessweek invited Randy Lafontaine to share how he achieved success.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS. RANDY: St. Lucia Travel & Tours, established in 2016, provides

top notch private and luxurious taxi services to and from airports, resorts and cruise terminals, as well as exciting tours for both locals and visitors. We create an avenue which is conducive for clients to have fond memories of our beautiful island from the moment we have direct contact with them.

I plan on working in collaboration with a few resorts in providing my services to their clients. I’ve sent out a ton of emails and have been to a few resorts, most of which already have established tour operators taking care of all their airport transfers

WHAT WAS THE INSPIRATION FOR THE BUSINESS? RANDY: Being in the hospitality industry, I saw that there was

a need for a more personal taxi service. With my experience as a butler, passion for service and love for my island, I decided to start my own taxi business. It’s been difficult because it’s a competitive space but I love the challenges it comes with.

DESCRIBE YOUR TYPICAL BUSINESS DAY. RANDY: It starts with a vehicle inspection to ensure that it is clean and up to working standards. I ensure that everything is prepared for the clients’ arrival including bottled waters, a legibly printed name sign and any extra requests made during booking. I transport clients to their place of accommodation while giving them information on our lovely island. They are free to make any stops along the way.

When a driver is assigned to do the transfer, they are obligated to go through the same procedure to ensure consistency across the board.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR TEAM. RANDY: Team work makes the dream work. I have a wonderful

team of drivers who my clients always speak highly about. I have also entrusted someone to take care of reservations when I am on the road. I have plans to employ more young persons as the business grows, for marketing and as drivers.

WHAT RECOGNITION HAVE YOU RECEIVED? RANDY: I’ve won two awards over the past year: Outstanding

Youth in Entrepreneurship and OECS 30 under 30. I’ve also been featured in the local press and recognised on St. Lucia News Online a few times. However, my greatest recognition will always be the wonderful reviews from my clients.

HOW DO YOU PLAN ON EXPANDING IN THE COMING YEARS? RANDY: I plan on working in collaboration with a few resorts

in providing my services to their clients. I’ve sent out a ton of emails and have been to a few resorts, most of which already have established tour operators taking care of all their airport transfers.

However, I will remain persistent and continue to explore my options.

HOW DOES IT FEEL TO BE AN ENTREPRENEUR? RANDY: It feels absolutely amazing! I get to wake up every day doing what I love. I control my own destiny. It’s very flexible and rewarding.

Readers can contact Randy at info@stlucia-travel.com or 1-758-716-8598

I get to wake up every day doing what I love. I control my own destiny. It’s very flexible and rewarding

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