World MSMEs DAY 2025

Chamber Leads Impactful Celebration Centered on

the 2025 Theme

"Connecting Entrepreneurs Through Strong Ecosystems"

Chamber Celebrated World MSME Day by Mapping Saint Lucia’s Entrepreneurial Ecosystem June 27, 2025

The St. Lucia Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture marked World Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) Day on June 27^th, 2025, with a powerful call to strengthen and connect Saint Lucia’s entrepreneurial ecosystem under the global theme, “Connecting Entrepreneurs Through Strong Ecosystems.”

As part of its celebration, the Chamber hosted a half-day seminar and Showcase event at the Harbor Club titled “Building and Strengthening the MSME Ecosystem in Saint Lucia.” This initiative brought together a dozen key agencies—from government ministries and financial institutions to youth-focused and business support organizations—to share and present the core services they offer to entrepreneurs and MSMEs.

The Chamber will curate this information into a publicly available resource to help MSMEs easily identify and access support.

The Chamber continues to emphasize that while MSMEs are widely recognized as vital to Saint Lucia’s economy, they continue to face major information gaps. Thus, according to the Executive Director, Brian Louisy, the event was not just a celebration, it was a collaborative step toward building a more coordinated and accessible support system for small businesses. he noted.

With 74% of Chamber members employing fewer than 20 people, and 62% employing fewer than 10, the Chamber is deeply invested in the success of small businesses. Through its recently rebranded Elevate Program, the Chamber provides targeted training, networking, exposure opportunities, and now—crucially—a map of ecosystem support actors.

“Saint Lucia doesn’t have a shortage of programs,” says Mr. Louisy. “What we need is connection, coordination, and clarity.”

The Chamber remains committed to working with partners to empower MSMEs and ensure they remain at the heart of national development. The following agencies supported the event Unicomer, Bank of St. Lucia, SLDB, and the Youth Economy Agency, MASA and the Ministry of Commerce.  

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Remarks by the President of the St. Lucia Chamber of Commerce Industry and Agriculture on the Occasion of World MSME Day event hosted by the Chamber. Harbor Club Rodney Bay June 27, 2025

Let me begin by thanking all of you—our partners, business leaders, government agencies, financial institutions, entrepreneurs, and supporters—for being here with us this morning as we observe World Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Day 2025, under the powerful and timely theme: “Connecting Entrepreneurs Through Strong Ecosystems.”

I also wish to recognize and thank our Executive Director, Mr. Brian Louisy, for his welcome and for once again bringing the Chamber’s vision for MSME development to life through this well-designed and purposeful event.

Ladies and gentlemen, today we do more than celebrate. We connect. We collaborate. We curate.

This morning’s seminar—“Building and Strengthening the MSME Ecosystem in Saint Lucia”—is not simply another event on the Chamber’s calendar. It is an intentional step toward building a more coherent, visible, and accessible support system for our MSMEs.

The Saint Lucia Chamber of Commerce, as the island’s oldest and most established private sector organization, understands deeply the role of MSMEs in shaping our national development story. More than 90% of registered businesses are MSMEs. More instructively, 74% of the Chamber Membership are small firms that employ less than 20 employees with 62% of members employing less than 10 employees. These enterprises employ thousands, serve communities, generate local innovation, and represent opportunity for our youth, women, and aspiring entrepreneurs.

But we also understand their daily struggles:

Uncertainty about where to go for help

Confusion about eligibility for programs

Difficulty accessing finance, mentorship, or training

And the siloed way in which support is often delivered

It is for this reason that today’s activity is so important.

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The month of June has been a month in which, like many others, the Chamber Secretariat and Board of Directors have been purposefully serving members and carrying out the important work it has been charged with.

Hosting a most informative First General Meeting on June 12th, 2024, at the CoCo Creole Hotel Conference Room, the Pavilion, where critical information on the changing nature of the nation's key sector, CEO of the St. Lucia Toursim Authority, Lewis Lewis, he painted “A Current Portrait of Tourism in St. Lucia: Insights for the Business Community.”

Mr. Lewis charted a path showing the evolution of tourism and the accommodation product from the industry's inception in the country. He revealed the key phenomenon, global, technological and cultural that have impacted the sector and made it what it is today. He highlighted the move of St. Lucia to be seen as luxury destination, and its continued attractiveness while at the local level, while still being treated as privileged sector, exempt from the typical business commitments to the economy, there has been a deliberate and successful attempt to involve nationals in the most regarding accommodation subsector.

Mr. Lewis went on to excellent used his verbal and data filled brush to provide insights into the interesting challenges St. Lucia's success has brought to the industry. Perception dependent, sword or shield, the gap in three-star accommodation options presents a conundrum that he urged the business community to treat as an excellent investment opportunity waiting to take place.  The question left in our mind is will Government be bold, innovative and break the mold and find, instigate and catalyze a partnership, investment vehicle or financing model to grasp this opportunity by the scruff of the neck and change the lives of St. Lucians, away from being "hewers of wood and drawers of water".

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Dr. Nadia Samuel and Dr. Alwyn Benjamin of Tapion Hospital graciously shared their expertise with Chamber Members as they spoke to critical issues related to male and female health. These issues are already impacting the business community as employees who are not in the peak of health are not very productive and can cause serious challenges for employees with high levels of sick leave, absenteeism Diabetes and Hypertension and other cardiovascular sicknesses to name a few, are also robbing people and companies at the time where workers are expected to be most productive.   The outstanding presentations are available from the Secretariat.

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Dr. Jan Yves Remy, again demonstrated her understanding of International Trade Issues and an incredible ability to impart that knowledge in a practical easily understood manner.

In a one hour webinar Dr. Remy skillfully articulated the real bread and butter issues involved in the America First Policy of President Donald Trump.

Aftr explaining the itiallly stated policy and its traiff implications, she went on to explain how the policy was expected to affect the Caribbean generally. She very quickly went on to alert that this Policy was not only about tariffs but an almost total reset of trade and economic relations between america and its trading partners lareg and small.

In what can best be described atour de force, Dr. Remy spoke to the new transactional nature of US- trade negotiations and dialogue, which was not predictable or followed any predictable formula.

The Webinar was most revealing as it took the business community into thinking about how their trading arrangements have already started to react to that policy and the emerging issues that were already being felt, such as visa concerns and the immediate change in development assistance and or cooperation, between the US and other nations and international bodies.

The Chamber thanks Dr. Remy for her again sharing of her knowledge and insights with Chamber Members and will certainly accept her offer to host regular dialogues and conversations with her on the numerous and varied international trade issues that are affecting the country.

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Navigating the Skills Shortages and Recruitment Challenges in St. Lucia

HR Professionals from close to thirty Chamber Member Companies participated in the Chamber HR Connect where issues related to the challenges members have reported in recruitment of appropriate talent. The context for the event was presented as follows:

The Chamber has over the years brought HR Managers from Member Companies to discuss issues of common interest. This has led to the Chamber developing among other things an Annual Training Calendar that offers a number of People Development Programs that Chamber Members subscribe to. The Chamber wishes to reassess and ensure it is meeting the needs of members.

Secondly from the findings of the Chamber Business Performance Survey over the last five years, the story is clear, there has been consistent and ongoing recruitment difficulty, rising labour‑cost pressure, but positive business growth and declining unemployment has taken place in the economy.

The labour recruitment challenges aren't just cyclical pains—they’re systemic skill gaps. The question was therefore how can the Chamber meaningfully reduce recruitment roadblocks, stabilize costs, and fortify the supply of skilled labour at scale?

The questions posed to participants was: (1) What Are the Main People Development Challenges Facing Your Business?”

(2) “What are the Training Programs that if the Chamber Hosted Will Have a Significant and Positive Impact on Your Company”

Fourteen (14) priority actions and or areas were identified which members thought the Chamber could assist with. Theses priority areas have been reduced to ten areas and these findings are now being validated by the Chamber through a quick survey.

The Session was so engaging and positive a second round of discussions using a ZOOM platform was held on June 26, 2025, and a series of specific actions were recommended to be taken by the Chamber to help address the Recruitment Challenges faced by Members.  These will be presented to members upon validation.

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Since the introduction of VAT in St. Lucia the St. Lucia Chamber of Commerce Industry and Agriculture has advocated, for greater use of the Zero-Rated VAT mechanism rather than the VAT Exempt mechanism in Governments pursuit of protecting the most vulnerable in society through minimizing the impact of the VAT on the cost of basic goods, particularly food and essential items.

The Chamber has always been of the view that VAT rate should be low with few exemptions and paid at the same level by all across the economy.  

The rational for this specific piece of advocacy on the VAT Exempt list is that the differential treatment afforded to these two distinct classes of goods, means that the firm, is able, in the instance of Zero-rated items to claim all VAT that has been paid associated with the trading in those goods, while in the other instance, i.e. VAT Exempt, this is not the case and so the firm has to absorb that portion of VAT.

The situation is further complicated and compounded when Section 31.2 C., of the VAT Act., comes into play, sometime referred to as the apportionment rule.    

The Honourable Prime Minister, Philip J. Pierre in the 2025/2026 Budget Statement stated his government's intention to move a number of goods from the VAT Exempt List to the Zero-Rated list come July 1st 2025.

The St. Lucia Chamber of Commerce is extremely pleased that this decision has been taken as it will alleviate significant financial pressure from firms that have been affected over the years by this matter. Additionally, the Government is removing service charge all goods that are under price control that will result in a reduction in the price of these goods of equivalent to the extent of the service charge.

Another accompanying measure is the changing of the classification of a number of goods from the standard rate to the zero rate that will also positively impact the price of goods to the consumer.

The Chamber is pleased that after many years of advocating for this move, Government has acquiesced, and the implementation is taking place. The Chamber has remained focused and persistent in its advocacy and stayed the course.

The Chamber worked with and continues to work with Government on the implementation of the VAT Act and has always been forthright and positive in its recommendations. We still believe that there remains room for further amendments to the VAT Act, in line with the scope of our initial and consistent recommendations on this matter.  

The Secretariat wishes to thank the members who have worked with the Chamber providing valuable insights and information that has helped us make a cogent and balanced case on this matter.    

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Be Prepared for Hurricane Season!

Hurricane Season is upon us. Are you prepared? Have you taken the necessary precautions? Is your insurance up to date? Have you revisited your Hurricane Preparedness Plan? Is your staff familiar with it? Do they remember their role?

Now is a good time as ever to make sure your entire team is familiar and know what their roles are. Remember having a Business Continuity Plan is not sufficient, it needs to be reviewed regularly and even tested. Have you revisited your Business Continuity Plan? Do you have one? If you don't the Chamber suggests that your seriously consider developing one for your business.

Business Continuity is not just about hurricanes preparedness; it is about you doing all you can to ensure that in the event of some type of business disruption or interruption, disaster, natural or manmade, you have a clear, well thought out plan as to how you will recommence your operations, in the shortest possible time. Insurance is a mitigating measure yet thinking through and putting in place actions and approaches that make your business more resilient to all types of likely or possible disruptions is extremely useful. The Chamber reminds you to Complete Our Business Continuity Plan/Disaster Recovery Plan Check List to help. Also, remember the Chamber is offering a Business Continuity Plan (BCP) Workshop that will help your firm develop a draft Business Continuity Plan. The Facilitator, Mr. Andrew George is also offering for a small additional fee for site visits to your main place of business to which your BCP refers to validate and review with you the appropriateness of the BCP. He is also able to work with you to get your Company's BCP Certified by NEMO, this certification, may help in you getting more attractive Insurance rates from your insurance provider.  

Click here to access checklist.

BPS T 13 Report

Click link to access report

BPS T13- APRIL 25 REPORT.pdf

BPS T 14 Survey

Click link or Scan QR Code to complete survey

https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sv/SU01aL1

Look Out for the 2025 St. Lucia Business Awards

Saint Lucia Business Awards is Back!

After a five-year hiatus, the Saint Lucia Business Awards have returned ,not as a mere continuation of past tradition, but as a bold rebirth from beneath the surface of national and global adversity. At a high-powered media launch, business leaders, innovators, and dignitaries gathered to witness the formal relaunch of what is widely regarded as the island’s premier private sector recognition event.

The theme for the 2025 edition, "Celebrating Resilience", is more than poetic flourish. It is a metaphor forged in the crucible of the pandemic years, when the Chamber of Commerce, like the wider business community, went underground to survive and serve. “Some may ask, five years? Why did we wait so long?” posed Chamber President Ross Gardner. “Because these past five years demanded our full focus on helping you rebuild.”

Comparing the Chamber’s silent strength to a frozen lake, Gardner painted a picture of resilience beneath stillness of advocacy, training, and support programs that quietly sustained businesses. From the Small Member Support Program to youth entrepreneurship initiatives and policy lobbying, the Chamber remained anything but idle.

This year’s return, then, is not a return to business as usual, but an emergence  a breaking through the ice. With new categories focused on innovation, sustainability, and social impact, the awards also bring a streamlined application process, orientation workshops, and broader inclusion for social enterprises and microbusinesses.

“We’ve reimagined everything,” said Awards Committee Chair Karen Peter. “I promise you, all our members past winners and first-time nominees will have something refreshing and invigorating to look forward to. You won’t just be taking home a nomination or trophy, but also tangible benefits your enterprise can utilize for months afterwards.”

With the awards now entering their 11th cycle, the message is clear: excellence in Saint Lucia is not a static achievement, but a dynamic force. “This isn’t just about trophies,” Gardner affirmed. “It’s about honouring those who uplift us all, inspiring the next, and elevating the standards by which we thrive.”

As the ice melts and the energy builds, Saint Lucia’s business community prepares to take the stage not just to be seen, but to be celebrated, and to lead.

Waiver of Customs Service Charge on Select Food and Baby Juice Items

In a significant policy move aimed at improving affordability and stabilizing the cost of essential goods, the Government of St. Lucia has announced a temporary waiver of the Customs Service Charge on select imported food items and baby fruit juices effective June 1, 2025 to May 31, 2026.

The waiver applies mainly to price-controlled items but also includes some non-price-controlled sizes of products like oil, margarine, and baby juices that fall under the same Customs HS codes.

The list of eligible items will be reviewed by August 2025 to ensure it reflects current market needs. The Ministry will also monitor retail prices to ensure the benefits are passed on to consumers.

For more information, contact Mrs. Wendy Frederick, Director of Consumer Affairs, at (758) 468-4224 or 486-3604.

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