The Cost of Crime by STAR Publishing

THE STAR Businessweek MARCH 23, 2019

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in this edition of

The CoSt of Crime

Last year, Saint Lucia had a per capita murder rate of around 24 per 100,000, putting it on a par with one of America’s most deadly cities, Chicago. The high incidence of homicides and other violent crimes isn’t just bad for citizens, communities and society at large, it’s also bad for business.

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The future of all-inclusive Why all-inclusive? All-inclusive first went mainstream in 1950s Europe when Club Med began offering vacation packages Page 3

By Catherine Morris, STAR Businessweek Correspondent Continued on page 4

Bringing the Caribbean’s Brain Drain Challenge to a Head Encouraging the youth of a nation to develop in their education and expertise is a key part of a national leadership. With the investment of time and resources into the young generation of today, the aspiration is that, when adults, they will drive advancement and innovation for the society around them Page 7

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Catching the Wave: Growing the Caribbean’s Watersports Identity By ED Kennedy, STAR Businessweek Correspondent

and engagement can be incorporated into a tourism strategy, there is the requirement for a headline event. And it’s in this space that the Caribbean — depending on your perspective — has been under-represented or is yet to maximise on its potential.

A Mainline to Miami

The Karujet is a world championship jetski event that takes place annually in Guadeloupe. This year the event is scheduled to take place across six high-octane days, May 10th to 15th

hen it comes to locales that are ideal for watersports, no place on Earth can outpace the Caribbean. From paragliding to deep sea diving, whether above, on or beneath the surface, if it can be done with water, it can be done in Caribbean waters. Which is why the absence of the region from atop the podium as the world’s leading region for watersports is more than curious. But while the Caribbean’s rise to great prominence in this arena is surely overdue, is there a compelling reason why other regions have, until now, held an advantage in drawing major events? And beyond the past, what more can be done in future to further establish the region’s identity as a watersports epicentre?

Drawing a Crowd

Any important event requires a major audience. There is an important distinction to be made here between an audience and a crowd. For though metropolises like Rio de Janeiro or Los Angeles are always surefire bets to bring thousands upon thousands of people through the doors, the relatively small population of most Caribbean states, with only six (Cuba, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago) holding more than one million citizens, means a different calculation is required. Once upon a time the lack of a major local crowd could pose a real challenge to a city’s ability to hold a key event. That is no longer the case. The immense popularity of eSports has shown that countless eyeballs, even if watching from afar, can look upon a largescale event and engage with it, all the while

while representing massive profits for those who host such events successfully. Accordingly, for smaller nations there is today the ability to draw a massive audience that can complement crowds attending inperson, whatever their size may be. It’s why the Republic of Ireland can draw over seven million views for its wrap of a local Diving World Series round, or how the island of Gran Canaria, Spain can draw in a whopping 37 million views thanks to a quick visit and BMX bike ride by Danny MacAskill, throughout the rooftops and off a clifftop into the sea. This is crucial for local communities looking to host events that showcase not only a great watersports competition, but the attractions that surround it. No longer are grandstands and cocktail-filled marquees the sole means of generating revenue and driving tourists to spend money in the local economy. Even so, before online marketing

For many people throughout the Americas and the Caribbean, it’s often held that Latin America begins not with the border of Mexico or the northern shores of Cuba, but instead in the Floridian city of Miami. With a huge population of Caribbean expats and a majority Spanish-speaking population, Miami has successfully sold the sun, sea and sand identity advanced for generations by all cities that sit on Caribbean shores. While the strength of the Caribbean culture within Miami is something for all people of this region to be proud of, it’s also inescapable that Miami often does ‘double duty’: as a stop on the international circuit that is recognised as a US destination, while also serving as something of a de facto Caribbean one. The same can be said of some locales across Brazil that at times are billed as representing not only South America’s biggest nation, but all nations in the region! And yet the absence of a greater Caribbean presence within the watersports community is clear and plain. How else to account for the International Windsurfing Association calendar providing for three events in Miami across the next year and two in Brazil, but none within this region? The Caribbean is clearly an obvious destination for the hosting of great watersports events, but outcomes haven’t followed opportunity.

Making Local Assets Liquid

Any discussion of watersports events has to acknowledge the Caribbean’s abundance of natural resources and the complementary attractions. The Caribbean is blessed with pristine beaches, beautiful and diverse waterways, and an appealing climate, in tandem with a strong existing tourism industry, all of which make it a dream location for major events. Just the same, the natural beauty and existing industries require supporting infrastructure and resources to really grab hosting the rights to major events that other cities compete for. In this regard, while it’s surprising that the beauty-blessed Caribbean region is yet to acquire hosting rights to many more major draw cards, it’s understandable when the often inadequate support aspect is taken into account. Continued on page 5

Tourism

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The future of all-inclusive

Once the mainstay of the Caribbean’s tourism product, the all-inclusive model is evolving to keep up with travel trends. By Catherine Morris, STAR Businessweek Correspondent

hy allinclusive?

All-inclusive first went mainstream in 1950s Europe when Club Med began offering vacation packages. For the first time, tourists could pay one price upfront to cover the costs of transportation, accommodation, food, beverages and entertainment. It was an appealing idea amongst the post-war crowd who wanted to travel but were also looking to cut costs and enjoy a fuss-free break. The idea quickly gained momentum and spread to warm-weather destinations around the globe. It hit the Caribbean in the 1970s, starting with Jamaica where it was embraced by hospitality big-hitters such as Superclubs Breezes creator John Issa and Sandals pioneer Gordon “Butch” Stewart. The model has since taken off across the region and the Caribbean is now home to more than 250 all-inclusive resorts scattered across 20 islands. It’s easy to see why the formula is so successful. At a time when tourists are faced with hidden fees, unforeseen charges and mounting costs as they vacation, the idea of a single price has widespread appeal. For groups and families looking to make the most of their travel budget, an all-inclusive charge is often more cost-effective than paying piecemeal. Most visitors come to the Caribbean to relax and relish being able to forget about their wallet and just enjoy the amenities without ever handing over cash. All-inclusives have also profited from concerns over crime. Many destinations in the Caribbean are perceived as unsafe or high-risk. For visitors, the idea of staying in a managed property with security is worth missing out on local experiences. Sun-seekers who come purely for the weather or families looking to just take a break are more likely to take

(worldwide representative for Sandals and Beaches Resorts) says: “With every year, social media enhances our connection to the rest of the world, opening our eyes to an incredibly diverse mix of places, culture and people. Creating ‘Instagrammable experiences’ is important to attracting guests and staying ahead of the pack.”

Emerging themes

Sandals’ Over-the-Water Villas in Saint Lucia

advantage of all-inclusive offerings as they prioritise comfort, consistency and security.

Evolving and growing

They may have retained their popularity so far but, like the rest of the tourism industry, if allinclusives fail to keep up with changing times, they risk becoming redundant. The biggest game-changer in tourism in recent years has been the rise of technology and the resulting scramble by those in the hospitality sector to leverage disrupters such as AI, virtual reality, big data and the Internet of Things to deliver the best possible guest experience. Online platforms and apps running behind the scenes can now collect, sort through and assess a huge volume of data on a single passenger, tracking what activities they book, what type of rooms they request and who they travel with. This big data centralised system is perfect for all-inclusives where a guest can plan, book and purchase every aspect of their entire stay in advance, without ever having to interact with human staff. And visitors want to take full advantage of social media opportunities during their stay, connecting with their friends and family back home as well as getting tips on what to do at their resort of choice. Debbie-Ann White, Sr Vice President of Public Relations & Promotions, Unique Vacations Inc

All-inclusives have always thrived by capitalising on certain groups — tailoring their product for couples, families or singles — but tastes in tourism have changed and this is the era of the themed resort. 2018 was the year of ‘wellness and rejuvenation’ according to the Caribbean Tourism Organisation and this niche continues to grow through 2019. Saint Lucia’s BodyHoliday resort is an all-inclusive wellness retreat with an on-site ‘Wellness Centre’. Guests can relax with a massage, go on a hike, take a yoga class, sample the restaurant’s organic menu or visit the Ayurvedic Temple for treatments. The resort uges guests to personalise their experience by setting up their own ‘web room’ through which they can choose from over 170 treatments and more than 50 sports and activities. Also jumping on the wellness bandwagon, but ditching the technology, are so-called detox retreats. These all-inclusives promise guests a completely disconnected experience, with an emphasis on mental health and relaxation. The Natura Cabana Boutique Hotel & Spa in the Dominican Republic proudly lacks television and air conditioning in each of its eco-friendly bungalows. Similarly, the all-inclusive Caves in Negril, Jamaica boasts of being TV-free. Sandals recently launched Luxury Included Vacation Plus (LIV+)), a programme allowing visitors to customise their experiences depending on their interests and tastes. “Customers can not only indulge in the awesome inclusions they already get at a Sandals and Beaches Resorts, but now they can also enjoy limited-edition events and experiences centred around music, culture,

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voluntourism, sports, and social interests,” says White. “Multigenerational travel is also a popular trend but it can be difficult to find a resort that suits children, parents and grandparents alike. Resorts that can cater to a broad spectrum of family members and ensure everyone has the best vacation are the resorts that will “win”. One of the most pervasive trends in tourism is the desire for eco-friendly, sustainable vacations. With the dangers of over-tourism now well-known, sustainablyminded travellers are seeking to lessen their environmental footprint and this is where Sandals shines. Having dominated the sector in Saint Lucia, Sandals Resorts is committed to giving back and, through the Sandals Foundation, has been investing in a myriad of environmental projects including coral reef restoration, water conservation and elimination of plastics and styrofoam.

Here to stay

All-inclusives may be focused on upgrading and adapting, but does the model have longevity? Some might argue not, given the phenomenal rise of the shared economy which gave us Airbnb and competitors such as vbro.com. But tourism will always have its budget-hunters, its big spenders and everyone in between. The secret to a thriving industry is one that caters to all needs. All-inclusives are here to stay, the question is: In what form? For market-leader Sandals, the answer comes from the customer. The brand has always been responsive to visitor needs and tries to stay one step ahead of the marketplace, according to White who says: “Sandals Resorts has pioneered so many innovations over the years, like the swim up pool bar, specialty restaurants, unique suites such as the Sky Pools Suites, Millionaire Suites, Rondoval Suites and our most recent Over-the-Water Butler Villas and Bungalows, to name a few. We pride ourselves on being innovators and gamechangers in the all-inclusive industry. “Like it has for the past 50+ years, we expect that the all-inclusive resort will continue to grow and evolve, mirroring the ever-changing wants and needs of consumers. We are in the service industry and we believe that the SBW client is always right.”

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The Cost of Crime Continued from page 1

Incidents of crimes reported to Caribbean Safety and Security Net, a yachting industry crime watchdog

rime and violence costs the Caribbean around 3 per cent of its entire GDP, according to a 2017 study from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), as it erodes business, economic growth, tourism, emigration and citizen security.

Tourism Fears

Tourism is Saint Lucia’s number one industry, generating jobs, investment and economic growth. And nothing kills the tourist trade faster than crime. All Caribbean destinations are competing for business from sun-seekers and, in this heavily competitive landscape, reputation matters. When British expat Robert Hathaway was murdered in his Grand Riviere home in January, the case made news around the world; the UK’s Telegraph went to press with the damaging headline ‘Murder in Paradise’. The brutal slaying, and the fact that it remains unsolved, generated columns in international media that all pointed to the same conclusion: Saint

Lucia is a dangerous place for foreigners. It wasn’t the first time such a case received worldwide attention. The 2014 murder of British tourist Roger Pratt also captivated the British media, and, like the Hathaway case, the killer has not yet been brought to justice. In 2014, Saint Lucia received a dubious honour. The country was included in the list of Top 10 Most Dangerous Cruise Destinations in the World, compiled by influential blog Cruise Law News. Explaining Saint Lucia’s inclusion, writer and lawyer Jim Walker cited several instances including the 2013 armed robbery of 55 cruise ship passengers in Soufriere and the 14 cruisers and their tour guides held up at gunpoint and knifepoint in 2009 in Anse-La-Raye. The situation became so concerning that cruise lines held crisis talks and, in 2010, Norwegian Cruise Lines took the drastic step of scrubbing Saint Lucia completely from its 2010-2012 Caribbean schedule. More recently, two German cruise ship passengers were attacked in a botched robbery last January. The incident, which

In 2014, Saint Lucia received a dubious honour. The country was included in the list of Top 10 Most Dangerous Cruise Destinations in the World, compiled by influential blog Cruise Law News took place near the Castries cruise port, followed several accounts of muggings at tourist hotspot Sir George William Mallet Serenity Park. Of course tourists are less likely to be victims of crime than Saint Lucians themselves, who bear the brunt of the escalating violence, but when it comes to visitors, perceived risks are just as harmful to the industry as legitimate concerns. In the internet age, bad news travels quicker

than ever, often accompanied by salacious headlines and damaging images. A cruise ship passenger assaulted and robbed in Castries is likely to post on social media about the experience, tell friends of the trauma they endured and dissuade others from taking a trip to the island. And it’s not just Saint Lucia in the crosshairs. In the battle for public opinion, every Caribbean nation is under scrutiny. The stigmatisation of the entire region impacts every destination’s tourism industry.

Bad for Business

Crime isn’t just bad for tourism, its negative effects are felt throughout the entire economy. The IDB estimates that if Saint Lucia can bring its homicide rate down to at least the world average, the country could grow its GDP by 1.6 per cent. From the struggling small business owner whose premises are robbed or vandalised to the foreign investor who researches Saint Lucia’s crime stats and takes his money elsewhere, an unsafe environment is one that economically contracts rather than expands.

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In 2014, 84 per cent of Caribbean businesses said crime was a serious obstacle to their growth, according to the IDB, and in Saint Lucia just over 20 per cent reported losses from theft, robbery, vandalism or arson. Business-owners operating in a high-crime environment have to worry not just about loss of inventory or profits, but also the cost of security, both of which can ravage their bottom line. In developing countries, where FDI has a vital role to play in a nation’s development, crime is a significant deterrent to foreign investment. As with tourism, pockets of high crime in the region can turn away potential investors from the entire Caribbean. Researchers at the University of Texas term this the ‘geographic halo effect’ — high levels of violent crime in specific locations lead foreigners to broadly categorise the whole country, region or area as dangerous. This has been seen in Latin America as unstable states bring down FDI for the entire area, and it’s now becoming an issue in the Caribbean as nations struggle to reduce their homicide rates.

Contributors to crime

Many commentators, academics and experts have weighed in on the causes of crime, and why violence seems to be endemic to the Caribbean region. These discussions usually zero in on four key factors: poverty, inadequate education, poor mental health and institutional weaknesses. In Saint Lucia, the latter has been particularly problematic as inefficiencies in the judicial system have resulted in failed prosecutions, long delays before trials and a penal system that barely functions. Indeed, the Castries courts have only recently reopened following a nine-month delay while the government scraped together funds to renovate the courthouse. The prime minister has said he is focusing on strengthening the police force and justice system but many wonder just how long that effort will take to deliver tangible benefits and improve safety in a measureable way. Any discussion about crime must involve a discussion about the region’s young people who are more likely to be both the victims and the perpetrators of violent crime. Government and school initiatives to identify at-risk youth, parenting support and social

skills programmes all have a role to play in dissuading young people from gang violence and other antisocial behaviours. A recent IDB study discovered that Saint Lucia’s young people exceed the regional average in terms of their likelihood to engage in fighting, drinking and drug use. While these activities do not necessarily lead to a life of crime, they certainly contribute. One often-overlooked aspect of the fight against crime is the relatively simple and practical steps that can be taken to mitigate risks. Situational crime prevention involves tweaking the landscape and urban design to make crime more difficult. This can involve better street lighting, more CCTV cameras and more visible open areas, ie reducing opportunities for criminals to target victims. Crime is a complex problem, with complex solutions that involve every level of society from government down to communities and families. Prime Minister Chastanet referred to this shared responsibility recently as Saint Lucia celebrated its 40th anniversary of Independence, saying: “Together as one nation, we have achieved much. But we must admit there have been times when it seemed we had lost sight of our goals, our aspirations. Only by standing together in pursuit of a common cause; only by holding on to our faith in ourselves, in our values, will we find the strength to take care of our country. “It will take a united effort between Government and all Saint Lucians to guarantee safety and security for all.”

MARCH 23, 2019

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Catching the Wave: Growing the Caribbean’s Watersports Identity Continued from page 2

Lac Bay, Bonaire was the first stop on the 2005 PWA world tour, drawing professional riders and fans from across the world while positioning the island as a must-visit windsurfing destination

Those who desire change by seeking to still rely on the region’s existing resources, instead of driving the development of new incentives, may be waiting a very long time for change.

Catching the Wave

Caribbean nations seeking to grow their presence in global watersports competitions have three core options. The first is to advocate for the addition

of a local event to existing global watersports events; to say to major tours like the World Surf League that sure, events in Tahiti and France are nothing to sneeze at, but it’s time to see the Caribbean represented more strongly. The second option is to expand existing local events to become truly regional. The Karujet Personal Watercraft Competition is an obvious candidate in this space, not only as a lead-in to IJSBA’s

official Endurance World Championship, but potentially as an expanded event in its own right. Finally, there’s the option of building new events locally, ones that complement existing drawcards such as the King of the Caribbean in Bonaire and the Curacao Challenge Windsurf Competition. This region may not yet be leading the world of watersports but, with the right event planning and ambition, the tide can turn quickly.

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LOCAL

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Economic growth slows to 1.5% in 2018; but 3.5% increase is projected

Cointha Thomas, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance

fficers from the Ministry of Finance, led by the Permanent Secretary Cointha Thomas, provided members of the Chamber of Commerce with an update on Saint Lucia’s economy during their Executive Luncheon last week. Jemma Lafeuille, the Acting Director of Research and Policy, provided an overview of macro-economic developments, spoke of expectations and zoomed-in on the fiscal performance of central government, the debt situation, the policy direction of government and the medium-term development plan and sectoral interventions. Ms. Lafeuille reported that preliminary estimates indicate that economic growth slowed down to 1.5 per cent in 2018, a deceleration from a growth of 4.6 per cent in 2016. Growth was spurred by cruise ship and stay-over arrivals, a 10.2 per cent increase. The agricultural sector rebounded after Tropical Storm Kirk in 2016 with banana exports to the UK and the region increasing. But there was ‘significant contraction’ in construction in 2018, as 2016/2017 projects were completed and others delayed, but that is about to change. The Ministry of Finance officials expected

“a significant pick-up in construction activity led by the private/public sector construction activity”, namely the Hewanorra International Airport redevelopment and a roads development programme, both Taiwan-funded. There are also infrastructural projects, such as bridge rehabilitation and water development projects, at the John Compton Dam, in Dennery and Vieux Fort. Construction of a new wing of St. Jude Hospital is also on the cards for the next fiscal year, along with ‘at least one of the four hotel projects’ in the pipeline. All this is expected to see an acceleration in economic growth of 3.5 per cent over 2019/2020. In spite of the economic growth of 1.5 per cent in 2018, unemployment showed little movement at 20.2 per cent, but youth unemployment, still high, came down to 36.3 per cent. Commercial bank lending to the private sector continued to decline in 2018, with a slight decline in credit to households. However, there was an increase in lending by credit unions. Deposits at commercial banks increased steadily, consequently commercial banks returned to profitability in 2018. Non-performing loans remained an issue but declined to 10 per cent from 15 per cent in 2016 — partly as loans were written off or restructured. Debt to GDP ratio moved from 65 per cent in 2017/2018 to 64 per cent in 2018/2019. Government collected more money than it spent — there was a ‘significant upturn’ from the Citizenship by Investment Programme; increased revenue from excise tax on fuel, airport taxes and VAT. Caribbean Business Report

The Saint Lucia Registry of Companies & Intellectual Property Company Incorporations Name: Island Hardware Ltd. Description: Retail and wholesale Directors: Raywatte Roserie, Calin Marius Boca Date Incorporated: 3/3/19 Chamber: Sachin Narhari Name: ATT Limited Description: Transportation and logistical services Directors: Francis Springer, Kervin Mitchell,

Directors: Ionut Moldovan Date Incorporated: 3/7/19 Chamber: The Jacobian Law Office Name: Vieux Ancre Inc. Description: Holding company Directors: Thaddeus Antoine, Turkessa Antoine Date Incorporated: 3/11/19 Chamber: TM Antoine Partners

Rondell Springer

Name: County Sheriff Protection & Escort Services Inc.

Date Incorporated: 3/5/19

Description: Security and escort services

Chamber: Pierre, Mondesir & Associates

Directors: Alban Pauleon Date Incorporated: 3/11/19

Name: Tab Holdings LTD.

Chamber: Jennifer Remy & Associates

Description: Property holding company Directors: Andie Wilkie

Name: MKAT LTD.

Date Incorporated: 3/6/19

Description: Holding company for shares

Chamber: Gordon, Gordon & Co.

Directors: Tamara Semei-Spencer, Aylwin Cenac, Merle Clarke

Name: NAPOCA INC.

Date Incorporated: 3/12/19

Description: Hospitality

Chamber: Tamara Semei-Spencer

LABOUR

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Bringing the Caribbean’s Brain Drain Challenge to a Head By ED Kennedy, STAR Businessweek Correspondent

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pull factors. And at times when the pull factor is immense — such as the booming economic growth in Asia that is drawing professionals from all over the world to the region — it’s not necessarily the fault of a worker’s native land that they have pursued a career elsewhere; they are simply chasing the opportunities and career momentum that can best be found in a new economic hotspot. Just the same, no nation can fairly look beyond its shores and simply absolve itself of all blame at home due to good economic fortunes luring its citizens abroad. While blockbuster growth overseas may explain why people first depart, chasing new adventure and experiences, after a number of years abroad many do wish to return home. Ultimately, whenever there remains a lopsided occurence of far more departures than returns, it’s a real problem.

Under the Umbrella

Caribbean countries with small populations need to seek to engage the high-skilled members of their diaspora while simultaneously providing an economic climate that retains and grows existing locally-based talent

ncouraging the youth of a nation to develop in their education and expertise is a key part of a national leadership. With the investment of time and resources into the young generation of today, the aspiration is that, when adults, they will drive advancement and innovation for the society around them. But sometimes there’s a breakdown in the sequence. It occurs when young people (as well as mature students and those who change careers later in life) progress onto higher education but thereafter are not available as local resources to enhance and drive forward their native nations. The brain drain phenomenon is one that can place great strain and hurdles in a country’s path. So why does it happen? And what can be done to help address it? Let’s look now.

Size Alone Isn’t the Indicator

Most Caribbean nations have a small population although this is not necessarily a liability. After all, nations like Norway, Singapore and New Zealand are regularly cited as the most desirable places in the world to live, and yet they too have small populations. But there is an issue when it comes to the regeneration of local resources and talent. When someone in the workforce retires, this should open the door for

others to be promoted and fill the gap. In nations with sizeable populations and economies, this transition can be seamless. But even so, economic giants of the world, like China, regularly face this problem as many of their citizens, on the conclusion of their studies, look to work abroad. While no country is immune from the ebbs and flows of economic downturns, the capacity to deliver an effective handover of responsibilities from one generation to the next is a structural feature of an economy and a society; one that won’t be stopped by economic turbulence alone, but is instead something that is best measured as an ongoing trend over many years. It’s here that the data is revealing about the experience of the Caribbean.

The Brain Drain of the Caribbean’s Best and Brightest

The Caribbean is a unique business region in the global economy, and this is evidenced for better and worse in the brain drain trend. The region may hold a relatively small population compared to others, but many professionals in the region can seamlessly transfer into roles from one nation to the next, and even go further abroad to huge economic hubs like the United States and the European Union. This adaptability is an asset overall, but does also mean that many of the Caribbean’s best and brightest will spend their careers deploying their talents far from their native land. The IMF has estimated that Caribbean countries have

lost up to 40 per cent of their labour force via emigration. The rise of the digital economy has only enhanced the potential for this figure to rise. Though some may be tempted to think there’s little cause for concern in the lives of expats, the brain drain effect can also have a negative impact on those who depart for foreign shores. Even if on paper the income and prospects for career advancement are higher, in practice the emotional pangs of homesickness that an expat may feel for their family and community can also be accompanied by some clear-cut financial pain. The experience of Jamaica with remittances is a key example of this, and also serves to show the finite balancing act that policy makers must look to achieve when seeking to address a brain drain. For though many in Jamaica may miss the talent lost to overseas posts, the benefit to Jamaica’s government from expats paying remittances is not inconsiderable, earning Kingston US$ 2.2bn in 2016 alone. But such a sizeable figure is bittersweet. It may make the loss of local talent more palatable but, overall, whatever earnings Caribbean nations like Jamaica gain from remittances, it generally cannot compare to the greater revenues they would enjoy were a brain drain not occuring.

A Smart Assessment

Though steps can be put in place to arrest the impact of an annual brain drain, it’s important to acknowledge that its occurrence can be a case of push and

The brain drain is an issue faced by many nations, alongside wider issues like aging populations, and generational inequality. All parties and all generations have a role to play in helping to address this problem, for the sake of this generation of the Caribbean family, and all generations that will follow it. And where does it start? With recognising that the brain drain effect is indeed real, but also a buzzword for an umbrella over low salaries, scarcity of jobs, unattractive regulatory laws for entrepreneurs, and more. Nations looking to combat the brain drain in 2019 don’t need to be mystified by its existence, or expect it to be resolved overnight, but they do need to begin tackling it on many fronts; and at its heart, this will always begin with local education. Many students who go abroad to study never return, not because they don’t wish to but because they recognise that a college degree (and network) is usually at its strongest close to where they obtained it. Many secondary effects flow on from this. Policymakers need not be baffled by why the brain drain occurs but they do need to make real plans in local education if they wish to counter it. Further action here is unquestionably the smart move.

The brain drain phenomenon is one that can place great strain and hurdles in a country’s path SBW

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making moves

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Saint Lucian Craft Distiller Awarded For Excellent Spirits By DEAN NESTOR, STAR BUSINESSWEEK CORRESPONDENT

Austria earlier this month. His Breadfruit Eau de Vie received a gold medal while his Mango Eau de Vie and Taro Vodka (distilled only from dasheen), were awaded silver medals. STAR Businessweek sat down with Eike to discuss the work behind his unique products.

What type of spirits do you produce?

Eike: I produce craft distilled spirits out of local products, all in my spare time. We’ve introduced a vodka that is made from dasheen, a gin that has a base alcohol produced from starfruit, schnapps — or Eau de Vie — from breadfruit, mango, banana and guava, plus a sorrel liqueur.

WHAT GAVE YOU the idea? Eike Lauff is now an award-winning distiller based right here in Saint Lucia

hef Eike Lauff is best known for his decades-long work in the culinary field, but the Executive Chef at the Mystique Royal Saint Lucia Resort & Spa, and cookbook author, has recently tapped into another

talent of his: the craft distilling of spirits out of nearly 100% local agro-products. Although the Saint Lucian permanent resident and German native only started bottling last year, his company, Caribbean Craft Distilling, won three awards at the prestigious World-Spirits Awards in

Eike: In 2015 a good, old German friend visited me here. We drove around the island and saw mangos just rotting away, foods just falling. As we drove around he asked: ‘Do you remember what we used to do with this stuff?’ Then it clicked. I knew what he was referring to so I decided to get some equipment and run trials to see if it could work because Saint Lucia has a whole different climate. The first trials worked out quite well in the small batches we produced. Through trial and error, it came slowly together. But it all started out of that little trip.

Where DO you distil?

Eike: I set up a little distillery at a friend’s place in Cul-de-Sac. It’s not a big spot, and there’s not a big load of equipment.

HOW is production GOING? Eike: Production is seasonal and is done in small batches. Bottling started in November 2018. It’s always based on what’s available, in season, and the quality of the fruits that we can source. Since 2016 we’ve produced around 700 bottles. I am still trying to get a little more organised in the sourcing and more consistency in the raw material. We’re looking at working with farmers as this can help the farmer grow his business. So we’re streamlining ideas right now.

How did you finance it?

pleasantly surprised. They didn’t realise you could make vodka out of dasheen or turn breadfruit into a clear spirit. There are persons doing wine-type of fermentation with it but, to create a high-grade spirit from it, is something different. I also had friends taking it to Europe and testing it in different bars there, just to get feedback.

WHAT ARE the prices?

Eike: A 350 ml bottle of the Mango Eau de Vie costs EC$56. A bottle of Breadfruit Eau de Vie at the same size costs $45 and a 250 ml bottle costs $32.

WHAT DO THE awards MEAN TO YOU?

Eike: When you distil alcohol like this, people aren’t sure about the product. You will hear, ‘It’s moonshine, something that’s not done properly.’ But having participated and actually received that recognition at the Awards, it’s a quality stamp on the product, and I think that’s really the true benefit for a local product of that nature.

What are the BUSINESS benefits?

Eike: It’s a niche. We’ve established a niche product. Yes, there’s a gin and a vodka market but we want to stay true to the craft and niche aspect of it. I am still searching around and haven’t found anybody producing any spirit from dasheen, or any of the fruits in the region, so it’s still something unique to Saint Lucia.

How did BEING IN Saint Lucia inspire YOU?

Eike: I’ve been here eight years. Before coming here, I spent a long time in Canada. Saint Lucia definitely has inspired some of it. It’s the same reason I applied for permanent residence and it’s a project that can continue to grow. Eventually it will involve other people, such as staff. They would have to be trained in the different processing and distilling. If you’d like a taste of the spirits that Caribbean Craft Distilling has to offer, you can reach Eike Lauff on Facebook at CaribbeanSpiritsLtd or visit Coco Palm Resort, Bay Gardens Beach Resort, Cap Maison, St James’s Club, Jam Rock, Jacques Waterfront Dining, Q-Bar, Island Mix and Rhumba where the drinks are for sale.

Eike: The project is financed entirely by me.

IS YOUR AIM the local or the tourist market?

Eike: It’s both. The whole reason we bottled was to get a live market feedback and see if there’s an interest in locally crafted spirits of that type, whether for the tourists or the local market. I’ve introduced it to a couple of hotel bars and restaurants.

How has feedback been? Eike: Very, very positive. People are

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