What Do The Fastest Growing Tourism Destinations Tell Us About Success?

THE STAR BUSINESSWEEK AUGUST 10, 2019

WWW.STLUCIASTAR.COM

IN THIS EDITION OF

WHAT DO THE FASTEST GROWING TOURISM DESTINATIONS TELL US ABOUT SUCCESS? The tourism industry has always been competitive, and there have always been many destinations on offer to entice a would-be traveller pondering their next trip. In recent years, competition has become supercharged as our economies have grown more global, and faster jet travel has made our world smaller, with millions of tourists now seeking a new location to get the perfect social media pics.

SBW THE STAR BUSINESSWEEK

Big Data for Big Trade When it comes to tracking trade the numbers can be dizzying. Volume of exports, number of suppliers, net profits, logistics costs — the sector generates an enormous amount of vital, but long-winded, paperwork.

Page 3

BY ED KENNEDY, STAR BUSINESSWEEK CORRESPONDENT Continued on page 4

A New Era for Energy Utilities The Caribbean’s utility landscape is shifting rapidly, especially for the region’s energy suppliers who are feeling the pressure from environmental concerns, juggling new innovations and incorporating emerging tech. With a new era and new challenges, industry body CARILEC is launching a strategic plan focused on cooperation and partnership that aims to transform the sector in a measured, responsive and realistic way.

Page 7

Ho Chi Minh City , Vietnam

2

THE STAR BUSINESSWEEK

AUGUST 10, 2019

MIDDLE EAST & NORTH AFRICA / CBI

WWW.STLUCIASTAR.COM

The STAR Businessweek PROUDLY PRODUCED BY STAR PUBLISHING CO (1987)

ST KITTS AND NEVIS IS ATTRACTING MOROCCAN BUSINESS VIA CBI

BY OPM ST KITTS

Prime Minister Dr. the Hon. Timothy Harris (fifth from right) and members of the St. Kitts-Nevis delegation with Moroccan officials

L

ast month St Kitts and Nevis’ Prime Minister Timothy Harris led a highlevel delegation to the Kingdom of Morocco.

The purpose of the visit was to strengthen the bilateral ties between the two countries that had established diplomatic relations in 2007.

PM Harris’ press unit also announced a new Ambassador-designate to Morocco — Ian Queeley.

During the visit the Caribbean delegation met with several highranking Moroccan counterparts.

PM Harris sat down for dinner with the Prime Minister of Morocco, Saadeddine El Othmani, where the leaders reiterated the countries’ commitment to one another.

The appointment of Ian Queeley, who has 35 years of experience in law enforcement, will mark St Kitts and Nevis’ first Ambassador to Morocco.

PM Harris described Mr Queely as “a son of the soil” who has “elevated to the high office of ambassador, not only of St Kitts and Nevis but of the independent member states of the OECS [Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States] as our first ambassador to the Kingdom of Morocco.”

Since 1984 St Kitts and Nevis has been providing foreign investors and their families with a means of acquiring its citizenship through an investment into the country’s economy.

The Sustainable Growth Fund (SGF) is the newest investment channel under St Kitts and Nevis’ CBI Programme.

The delegation led by Premier Harris also met with the former Foreign Affairs Minister Mr Salaheddine Mezouar, who chairs the General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises (CGEM). The CGEM is a 90,000-member association of businesses that make up more than half of Morocco’s GDP. Continued on page 6

INTERNATIONAL TRADE

THE STAR BUSINESSWEEK

AUGUST 10, 2019

WWW.STLUCIASTAR.COM

BIG DATA FOR BIG TRADE

BY CATHERINE MORRIS, STAR BUSINESSWEEK CORRESPONDENT

W

hen it comes to tracking trade the numbers can be dizzying.

Volume of exports, number of suppliers, net profits, logistics costs — the sector generates an enormous amount of vital, but long-winded, paperwork. Thankfully for those in the business, there are a number of technological tools available to help shift through the data, and policymakers in the Caribbean are now making use of these cutting-edge IT platforms to transform trade.

TRADE VISTA Early in July the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) signed an important trade agreement that will further the use of big data in trade. The EUR3.6 million TradeCom II initiative aims to strengthen economies in African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) nations through deepening trade links with the European Union. Part of this mission includes upgrading trade expertise through technology and the OECS has already begun trialling an advanced IT platform that will be able to track trade statistics in real-time and collect and sort trade data.

So far Trade Vista, as the portal is known, has been piloted in the agricultural sector but funding from TradeCom II will allow the OECS to expand its application to other industries. Head of the OECS Trade Policy Unit Virginia Paul explains: “The trade information portal will draw data from sources such as Com Trade and National Statistics offices and present it in a user friendly format so that users can analyse trade (import and export) patterns with single countries or a group of countries with which the OECS member states have trade relations, such as USA, Canada and members of the European Union.”

Having this kind of information at their fingertips will allow policymakers and exporters to see where their efforts can deliver the most rewards. “The analysis that one is able to undertake utilising the data can point to potential export markets, investment opportunities, or lead one to do further investigation to address trade-restrictive measures,” says Paul.

The OECS is hoping that Trade Vista will help bring more young people into the agricultural sector by engaging their interest in technology and inspiring them to target new niches. The organisation

Stronger trade expertise and the creation of a harmonised trade information and facilitation platform in OECS member states are key areas earmarked for development under the EUR3.6 million, EU/ACP-funded TradeCom II Agreement signed by OECS Director General Dr. Didacus Jules (centre) in Geneva, Switzerland.

is also hoping it will help reduce the Eastern Caribbean’s food import bill by identifying areas where local providers can supersede imported goods. The platform has already flagged up those areas where imports are high but domestic farmers can meet local demand, such as in lettuce, broccoli, kale and poultry products.

But it’s not just the agricultural sector that is set to benefit. Trade Vista can also deliver huge benefits to the creative industries and other non-traditional exports. No matter the industry, Caribbean trade has its own unique challenges. Less resources, smaller scale production, high transport costs, exporters face a number of hurdles getting their products off island. Many find the best route to profitability is targeting high value niches. Big data can help them identify these niches before they become overcrowded, leading to a host of other indirect benefits such as greater innovation and entrepreneurship and more employment among young people.

Knowledge is power and in the turbulent landscape of global trade every bit of information helps. US research firm Gartner defines ‘big data’ as information which has five key characteristics: volume, variety, velocity, voracity and value.

In other words, real-time, high-quality information that is taken from a range of sources and produces useful insights.

With targeted, smart and responsive data, Caribbean exporters will be able to compete more effectively and become

more resilient to market shocks.

Data and analytics will allow them to forecast demand, make more accurate predictions on long-term trends, optimise their logistics and add or reduce inventory as necessary.

A database of readily available statistics will also help foster cooperation between the public and private sector, often a contentious relationship in the Caribbean. As government, development bodies and small businesses parse the data and monitor their progress, it gives all players an opportunity to weigh in on how to enhance intra-regional and international trade, and identify gaps that need to be addressed.

The Caribbean is far behind in its treatment and use of big data but the region is steadily making progress.

In the meantime, it can look to the lessons learned by the current global

Early in July the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) signed an important trade agreement that will further the use of big data in trade

big data revolution. Data is only as good as the analytics programme accompanying it; and a robust analytics model must go hand in hand with a strong security framework to ensure data protection and privacy.

Computer driven models are extremely helpful, but not watertight. While the technology can spit out forecasts and detailed reports, these models run the risk of being too inflexible and not cognisant enough of issues on the ground, especially in the Caribbean where conditions can change in an instant. The impact of natural disasters on the agricultural sector, for example, can throw markets for a loop and significantly disrupt data-driven insights.

The technology must therefore go hand in hand with a human component. And that human component needs to be adequately trained. Big data has largely been used in the tourism industry and statistics departments, but other sectors may be less familiar with analytics.

Addressing the data science skills gap will require educational efforts and greater public outreach and awareness.

Ultimately, the technology must be accessible to everyone, from the budding business owner to the farmer in the field. Collection of data can enable growth, but dissemination of that data is necessary for that growth to become sustainable. SBW

3

4

THE STAR BUSINESSWEEK

AUGUST 10, 2019

TOURISM

WWW.STLUCIASTAR.COM

WHAT DO THE FASTEST GROWING TOURISM DESTINATIONS TELL US ABOUT SUCCESS? Continued from page 1

I

n this era, tourism providers and authorities need to be conscious not only of what neighbouring nations are doing to draw new visitors, but what those across the world are doing. That’s why it’s a good time to consider what Caribbean nations can learn from countries with the fastest growing tourism industries, and what factors their success has in common with the rapidly expanding tourism markets in this region.

TOURISM GROWTH RATES GLOBALLY At time of writing, Egypt, Togo and Vietnam are the three fastest growing tourism destinations in the world, and the experience of each tells a story about growth.

Within Egypt, the improvement of security infrastructure (complemented by the nation’s IMF-backed economic reforms) has underwritten a new era of tourism growth in the MENA nation.

The recent performance of the West African nation of Togo has been a case of decisive policies being put in place to supercharge its growth. Even back in 2011 the nation drew 326,000 tourists to earn a total of US$ 40mn annually; this while also being ranked among one of the poorest countries in the world during 2012. Although challenges remain, the goal set in 2013 to see tourism grow from 2% of its economy to 7% by 2020 has borne fruit. And the launch in 2018 of the Togolese government’s Infrastructure and Urban Development Project, supported by the World Bank, is expected to drive a flow-on effect into future tourism.

In one respect, Vietnam’s recent growth has been a great example of proximity, with the growing purchasing power of China seeing it deliver 2.1 million tourists to Vietnamese shores from January to May of this year alone. Yet Vietnam has also worked hard to cultivate a new image in the 2000s, with a range of cultural festivals and the promotion of tourism throughout former sites of the Vietnam War drawing arts and history enthusiasts alike. This has also attracted strong numbers from South Korea, Thailand and beyond.

It’s important to note that these are nations with the fastest growing tourism markets; this does not mean they are the top tourism destinations globally. In this regard, countries like France, Spain and the United States typically occupy the upper ranks each year of total visitors overall.

While the work these nations have done in cultivating the tourism dollar is admirable, it does mean their capacity to pursue rapid innovations and growth is reduced. Put simply, it takes longer to adjust course on a cruise ship than it does on a speedboat. That’s where, alongside Egypt, Togo and Vietnam, it’s important to look at the results a number of Caribbean nations are achieving right

Lomé, the capital of Togo, is a bustling and diverse city with great markets, street food and a vibrant nightlife (Source: Wikimedia)

now in their tourism growth. Many have the best of both worlds: a strong tourism market and a capacity to rapidly grow it further.

THE LOCAL GROWTH MARKETS Over the past calendar year the nation of Belize has been the fastest growing tourism market in the region. With a population of 384,000, Belize recorded 158,290 overnight arrivals in the first quarter of 2019 alone, representing an increase of 6.3% on the same period in 2018. While many factors account for this, the substantial growth in new air routes from the United States and Canada has been a cornerstone.

There is also the new interest being driven by the anticipated opening of the Four Seasons Belize in 2021. While not yet finished, the project has captured the attention of media around the world, showing that a new tourism project can begin drawing return on investment well before it’s ready, if marketed correctly.

Cuba has also been a notable growth market, largely driven by a warmth of relations with Washington in the Obama era. This has soured since President Trump’s arrival in the White House and

the recent years of Cuba’s tourism growth are expected to become a statistical anomaly as American visits drop, given that the ‘status quo’ of cold relations between Washington and Havana has returned.

Every nation is different but there are common factors in the Caribbean and beyond driving tourism growth: 1. Upgraded security 2. New infrastructure 3. Expansion of air routes In this regard, Saint Lucia is currently ‘ticking all the boxes’: upgraded security planned in Castries, major new infrastructure projects like the proposed new port in Vieux Fort to follow the current work at Hewanorra International Airport, and the latter expected to entice new air routes into the island. By many measures, Saint Lucia’s current chapter is a blueprint for other nations in the region seeking to boost overnight arrivals.

START SPREADING THE NEWS Infrastructure projects and major tourism policy can take years to finalise.

That’s why it’s worth recalling that even announcements can spur tourism.

For example, Togo and Belize have not yet realised some of the major infrastructure projects they have on the books. Certainly a nation must avoid perpetual announcements because, if projects stall or fall through, it can be counterproductive, but when a new resort or major highway is announced as incoming, it drives new media interest.

For nations looking to grow their tourism without a sizeable budget, an effective campaign can focus on framing domestic announcements as global ones too. Announcing the construction of a new highway from the airport to a capital city won’t just entice local voters in elections, but can be picked up by global media and spur tourism demand if governments commit to a lean but agile marketing strategy.

The global tourism market is more competitive than ever but there remains a difference between countries which market their attractions effectively and those who do not. The stories of Togo, Vietnam and Saint Lucia showcase this and can serve as inspiration for any nation seeking to build its tourism brand better than ever, looking to 2020 and beyond.

HAITI

THE STAR BUSINESSWEEK

AUGUST 10, 2019

WWW.STLUCIASTAR.COM

5

SUCCESS STORIES OF HAITIAN ENTREPRENEURS

BY ED KENNEDY, STAR BUSINESSWEEK CORRESPONDENT

R

ecent times have seen the people of Haiti embattled with a high-octane political crisis, as President Jovenel Moïse continues to preside over a government fighting corruption allegations.

This current difficult chapter in the nation’s story follows on from years when the carnage of natural disasters tested the nation’s spirit. It was a period when the country also wore the ignominious label of being the poorest in the Western hemisphere.

In such an era, it’s no surprise that much media coverage focused on the nation’s challenges, but such challenges should not be permitted to overshadow the many tremendous achievements Haitians continue to record in life and business day by day. That’s why now is a good time to look at some of Haiti’s most outstanding entrepreneurs and the ventures they are building in business.

AN OVERVIEW OF HAITI’S BUSINESS COMMUNITY At its best, Haiti’s business community is celebrated for its diversity and dynamism; for the ability of aspiring entrepreneurs to start businesses ‘from street stalls all the way to tech start-ups’. With the past couple of years having delivered solid growth in GDP, and the nation’s population estimated to have reached over 11 million during the last twelve months, the road ahead has positive signs.

At the same time, even when allowing for the current challenges in the nation’s political life, the country faces the difficulty of distance within its entrepreneurial community. As in other regional nations, a Haitian entrepreneur looking to start a business today must consider the position of it within the global economy. This is especially so for those with a digital or tech component, often with reference to tech hubs like San Francisco’s Silicon Valley. For many start-ups, a pilgrimage to the Bay Area is often a rite of passage — to seek funding to build their network, or even as a permanent move to take success achieved locally and try to convert it into a global renown.

But the following profiles are exceptional homegrown ones; stories of entrepreneurs who have the Haitian identity at the heart of their origin. Here are four of Haiti’s greatest professionals.

clean and green as well as beautiful.

Jude Celiscar of Goodoo Courier Jude Celiscar founded Goodoo Courier seeking to combat an issue that will be familiar to all in the Caribbean family: the high cost of purchase and delivery of goods from the USA. Specialising in the delivery of small package goods, and doing so from one centralised US location, Jude and business partner Jean Carlson Dor created a business that seeks to ‘fill the gap’ and cut the expense of shipping between the two nations.

The fact Goodoo Courier uses recycled materials from Haiti for its packaging is another reason to love GC.

Haiti is a land of natural beauty where many outstanding entrepreneurs are building great businesses (Source: Pixabay.com)

David Andre Boutique Collection is a unisex fashion store specializing in fashionable and affordable clothing (www.davidandrecollection.com)

Goodoo Courier is a freight consolidator and forwarder to Haiti (www.shipgoodoo.com)

Daphnée describes Bijou Lakay as a “daring and innovative fashion jewellery brand that holds true to Caribbean traditions, whilst creating unique and bold statement pieces guaranteed to turn heads”. (www.bijoulakayhaiti.com)

According to Nora, Radikal’s mission is to tackle the root causes of gender inequity, economic disparity and poverty by creating franchises and providing women with an opportunity to invest in their own thriving micro-enterprises and create wealth (www.radikal.co)

4 FANTASTIC HAITIAN ENTREPRENEURS AND THEIR STORIES

sewing machine and one employee, André’s business has not only gone from strength to strength, but has successfully navigated the transition into the digital era. With his label’s distinctive style, it’s a match made in heaven for the Instagram generation.

David André, Clothing Designer David André’s career in business is impressive for many reasons. Founded in 1998, his fashion label is now a brand with fans around the world, that retains a Haitian soul. Beginning with a single

Daphnée Karen Floreal of Bijou Lakay Daphnée began her jewellery business, Bijou Lakay, while in the final year of her university studies at Haiti’s École Nationale Supérieure de Technologie.

Although her degree in business

administration doubtless assisted in the growth of her venture, she began it with just US$45.

Following the many compliments she received on the beautiful handmade jewellery she created, Daphnée decided to start a business offering her designs to all. Since then a shop in Port-auPrince has opened, Bijou Lakay has been showcased at the Milan Expo and the brand has garnered devoted fans in Haiti, the US, Canada and beyond. As an ecofriendly jewellery line, Bijou Lakay offers customers pieces they can wear that are

Nora Jeanne Joseph of Radikal With a name like Radikal, Nora Jeanne Joseph’s business was destined to win attention, and that’s exactly how she wanted it. She started Radikal with an aspiration to see micro-franchise brands created in Haiti that would provide organic beauty, wellness and environmental products via a heavy leveraging of social media and mobile technology. At its core, Radikal seeks to not only offer great products but also help drive a greater gender equity in Haiti by empowering women to run businesses.

Nora is a patriot at heart, and her love of Haiti drives her each day to keep building an alternative image of Haiti in the global community that showcases the nation’s talented entrepreneurs and their hard work. It’s a goal we can all support.

BUILDING A BETTER BUSINESS COMMUNITY The achievements of these Haitians and their peers are incredible; success stories from which people in Haiti and beyond can draw inspiration. But it should be acknowledged that it will be easier for the next generation of entrepreneurs to get ahead without familiar roadblocks in place.

Recent political events in Haiti are themselves unique, but representative of ongoing challenges, at the core of which is corruption. While some already highly affluent businesses can consolidate their advantage via corrupt practices, for newcomers an even playing field is essential to ensure they have a fair chance at building their profitability in the market.

Just as the four stories above are wonderful testaments to Haitian business, there are surely many would-be entrepreneurs who are yet to start their business, or have done so outside the nation in a more open and fair business community. Working to remove hurdles and pitfalls could help bring home some expats abroad and their business expertise, and also make the road ahead easier for future entrepreneurs.

6

THE STAR BUSINESSWEEK

AUGUST 10, 2019

WWW.STLUCIASTAR.COM

MIDDLE EAST & NORTH AFRICA / CBI / COMPANIES OFFICE

ST KITTS AND NEVIS IS ATTRACTING MOROCCAN BUSINESS VIA CBI Continued from page 2

Mr. Ian Queeley has been selected to represent the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States in Rabat, Morocco as its first Ambassador to the Kingdom of Morocco

According to a release issued by the PM’s office, they discussed investment opportunities as regards alternative energy, agriculture, healthcare, infrastructure and “attracting Moroccan business through the Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Programme”.

Since 1984 St Kitts and Nevis has been providing foreign investors and their families with a means of acquiring its citizenship through an investment into the country’s economy. The Sustainable Growth Fund (SGF) is the newest investment channel under St Kitts and Nevis’ CBI Programme. It has quickly become a popular investment option

for larger families in the MENA region seeking a straightforward route to second citizenship. The Programme is one of the oldest in existence and is commonly known as the ‘Platinum Standard’ of CBI. Revenue generated from it is directed towards the islands’ socioeconomic advancement in areas like infrastructure, healthcare, education and tourism. Foreign investors are attracted to the dual-island nation due to the entrepreneurial opportunities it unlocks, its stable rule of law and the diplomatic relations and visa waiver agreements it has established with two thirds of the world’s countries.

The Saint Lucia Registry of Companies & Intellectual Property Company Incorporations Name: Medexotic Ltd

Name: Techland Limited

Description: Herbal, spice, fruit and

Description: Renting and leasing of property/

vegetable oils and cosmetics

holding company

Directors: Aris Isa, Emanuel Alexander

Directors: Rondell Springer, Bertrand Gaillard

Date Incorporated: Jul 18, 2019 Chamber: John & John Inc. Name: St. Juste Real Estate Holdings Inc Description: Tourism and hotel development Directors: Bertlyn St. Juste, Mable St. Juste-Francis,

Date Incorporated: Jul 24, 2019 Chamber: Self-incorporated Name: Centre For Advance Studies Limited Description: Institution/learning centre

Shekirah St. Juste, Kenroy Marks

Directors: Ji Hye Jeon, Shahzad Yousuf

Date Incorporated: Jul 23, 2019

Date Incorporated: Jul 24, 2019

Chamber: John & John Inc.

Chamber: Self-incorporated

UTILITIES / ENERGY

THE STAR BUSINESSWEEK

AUGUST 10, 2019

A NEW ERA FOR ENERGY UTILITIES

BY CATHERINE MORRIS, STAR BUSINESSWEEK CORRESPONDENT

T

he Caribbean’s utility landscape is shifting rapidly, especially for the region’s energy suppliers who are feeling the pressure from environmental concerns, juggling new innovations and incorporating emerging tech. With a new era and new challenges, industry body CARILEC is launching a strategic plan focused on cooperation and partnership that aims to transform the sector in a measured, responsive and realistic way.

REPOSITIONING FOR RENEWABLES CARILEC is the Caribbean’s association of electric energy solution providers. Its membership numbers over 100 and comprises state-owned utilities as well as independent power providers. At the helm is Saint Lucian Dr Cletus Bertin who joined the group in 2017 and was more than willing to take on the challenge of guiding CARILEC as it launched its 2018-2022 Strategic Plan. “It is not by chance that I came in at this point,” says CARILEC’s Executive Director. “What I bring to the table is a passion for innovation and change management. There is more we can do in the energy space and I’m excited to see what we can achieve.”

CARILEC recently celebrated its 30th anniversary and has seen a lot of activity in those three decades.

“There have been numerous changes in the sector — changes in technology, legislation, consumer expectations, business, marketing and the environment,” says Dr Bertin.

“That is what led to this repositioning of CARILEC to better cope with and anticipate these changes.”

Nature has been one of the biggest change-makers with climate concerns now at the forefront of all policy discussions in the region. As Caribbean nations look to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels, the conversation has turned to renewable energy sources such as solar, geothermal and tidal, some of which

Cletus Bertin Ph.D, originally from Saint Lucia, currently serving as Executive Director of CARILEC, is overseeing the industry group’s 2018-2022 strategic vision and energy resilience in the Caribbean

have already been implemented across the islands. Dr Bertin is bullish on the prospects of renewable energy to help meet demand but says it will take time, and every island has its own unique set of considerations and concerns. “It is a mixed bag. There are different rates of penetration in terms of renewables as a result of many factors. Each jurisdiction has different opportunities. There is a common perception that because the sun is shining and the wind is blowing we can switch to renewables tomorrow. It is not that simple.

“Transitioning is like turning a huge tanker in the middle of the ocean.

It takes time. There has been some reluctance in the past to embrace some of those changes [but] over the last decade the issues of climate change and CO2 emissions have put the utilities in a place where they have no choice but to get on board in terms of repositioning and pivoting.”

Dr Bertin is also wary of targets set by international bodies which may not align with realities on the ground. “We sometimes have a difficulty when policy

makers set targets almost arbitrarily, sitting in rooms far away from the region, and then we have no clue how to meet those targets. We believe that decisions should be more evidence based and data driven as opposed to simply philosophical positions.”

According to the CARILEC head, the answer lies in Integrated Resilient Resource Planning such as that seen in devising Saint Lucia’s National Energy Transition Strategy (NETS), which was drawn up by the government and LUCELEC with the support of the Rocky Mountain Institute. NETS looks at how much renewable energies can contribute to the national grid and how this hybrid approach can be managed and maintained. Dr Bertin sees it as a template for the region and an example of how partnerships between stakeholders can result in solutions that work for all.

In a region where most electric utilities are still government-owned, the idea of a hybrid business model can be a hard sell. International investors are actively searching for opportunities in the renewables space, but governments are often unwilling to relinquish control of such critical assets.

There is room in the market for both the public and private sectors, according to Dr Bertin who points out that most investors come in with innovative ideas and plans but are often unwilling to take on the more mundane challenges of transmission and distribution — an area where they could partner with state utilities.

But if utilities are to adopt a more flexible business model, they need flexibility in regulation. “We need a policy framework to enable transition. We must have incentives and a legislative framework for investors to come in. This is where the government has been a bit slow,” says Dr Bertin.

WORKING SMARTER While the sector is lagging in some areas, there are bright spots of progress. Quite a few islands are

WWW.STLUCIASTAR.COM

upgrading their grids to make them smarter, using the latest technology such as smart meters to track usage, highlight issues and crack down on illegal activity.

In Saint Lucia, LUCELEC is using innovative travelling wave fault locators which allow providers to remotely pinpoint breaches in the system and send crews out to fix the fault, cutting disruption from a matter of days to hours.

“We have technology that enables the provision of electricity to be more efficient and more cost effective,” says Dr Bertin. “We are embracing and promoting that and we see a different sort of landscape developing. It is within our reach and it is actually happening.”

While CARILEC’s Strategic Plan runs until 2022, Dr Bertin does not see that as an end point but merely another step in the journey. He is wary of making unrealistic promises and wants to push towards a realistic future, saying: “In 2022 the landscape will still be in transition. We do not expect to have arrived at any end point. What we expect to see is an energy market that has more certainty and some level of predictability for investors. We will also be using technology to determine the optimal energy mix going forward across each territory, as each has different potential and different trajectories.

“All of these things will be best enabled through collaboration in the region and beyond. No man is an island and the utilities sector cannot do it alone. Government, regulators, utilities and consumers all have a role to play.”

In the meantime, he urges the public not to be discouraged at the pace of change, saying: “As much as we become frustrated by the slow progress, and we should be frustrated, we also need to be mindful of how far we have come in a relatively short space of time. As small independent developing states, the rate of progress is phenomenal. We need to recognise our achievements but recognise that we have some way to go. We should push ourselves and never settle for mediocrity. This is not just an academic exercise for CARILEC. We all live and work in this region, it is in our interest to SBW see progress happen.”

7

8

THE STAR BUSINESSWEEK

AUGUST 10, 2019

WWW.STLUCIASTAR.COM

PRINTED & PUBLISHED BY THE STAR PUBLISHING CO, (1987) LTD. RODNEY BAY INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, MASSADE , P.O. BOX 1146, CASTRIES, ST LUCIA, TEL (758) 450 7827 . WEBSITE WWW.STLUCIASTAR.COM ALL RIGHTS RESERVED