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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.

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BPS T13- APRIL 25 REPORT.pdf

Click link to access report

St. Lucia Chamber of Commerce Business Performance Survey (Take 13)

The only independent review of business sentiment across all St. Lucia’s economic sectors and regions for the fourth quarter of 2024, the St. Lucia Chamber of Commerce Industry and Agriculture Business Performance Survey T13 is now available.

In summary, 56% of respondents are Chamber members. Most operate in Castries (62%), followed by Gros Islet (22%). The main sectors represented include Distribution/Retail (22%), Tourism (20%), Other Services (22%), and Manufacturing (10%).

Small businesses dominate, with 62% employing fewer than 10 people. In Q4:

•58% maintained workforce size

•28% increased staff

•14% decreased staff

•Recruitment difficulties were highest for skilled labor (27%), professional roles (20%), and technical staff (14%).

•Compared to Q4 2023: 56% of respondents reported increased sales, while 24% reported decline.

•Compared to Q3 2024: 58% reported growth.

•Year-on-year (2024 vs 2023): 68% performed better.

60% of respondents reported improved cash flow with Investment activity remaining steady, with 62% maintaining plans and levels and 36% increasing investments.

58% of respondents expect prices to increase in 2025 with the key drivers of price increases coming from purchase prices of goods (64%), finance costs (40%), and labor costs (38%).

The main concerns identified and reported by respondents include taxes, labor availability, crime, and inflation. Respondents reported that government policy, i.e., Health & Security Levy impacted 44% of respondents while the Minimum wage changes had minimal but varied impacts including raising prices for 18% of respondents, causing job cuts in 10%, while 50% saw no impact.

Executive Director Insights:

While optimism and resilience define the current business climate, strategic government support and clear policy engagement remain essential. Rising input costs and taxation are emerging issues requiring attention. More specific sectoral analysis featuring the tourism and small business sectors has also been compiled and is available to members of the Chamber.

For more information contact: Mr. Brian Louisy, Executive Director

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BPS T 14 Survey

Click link or Scan QR Code to complete survey

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

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On 14 April, I had the privilege of being invited as a panelist for a webinar provocatively titled “The End of Multilateralism? Strengthening International Organizations Under Siege”, hosted by Diplomats Without Borders and the Caribbean Policy Consortium. The question posed was not an abstract one. For those of us who have spent our careers working within multilateral institutions like the World Trade Organization (WTO), it lands hard.

We are, quite plainly, in a precarious era for global cooperation. And trade—the traditional arena for rules-based multilateralism—is no exception. In fact, it may well be the most threatened.

The WTO has long stood as the legal and political bedrock of the international trading system. Its core principles—reciprocity, Most-Favoured Nation (MFN) treatment, the single undertaking, and special and differential treatment—have, for decades, offered a degree of predictability and fairness in trade. But in recent years, the institution has found itself adrift.

Indeed, the latest evidence of the WTO’s marginalization came just days ago with the announcement of a new (temporary) U.S.–China trade truce. These two giants—among the largest exporters and importers in the system, accounting together for over 40% of global trade flows—agreed to roll back some of the tariffs they had imposed on each other over the past five years. Under the new deal, U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods will drop from 145% to 30%, and China’s duties on U.S. imports will fall from 125% to 10% (Business Insider, 2025). Ironically, the deal was concluded in Geneva, the situs of the WTO, and yet it happened entirely outside its architecture.

Another recently announced “trade” deal between the US and UK—reportedly limited to token tariff changes and regulatory cooperation—has also been criticized by trade experts as not really about trade, nor reflective of the tenets of a genuine trade agreement. Notably, it appears neither reciprocal nor comprehensive in scope.

The problems at the WTO, however, long predated these onslaughts of tariff wars. The organization’s once-binding dispute system has for years now been operating sub-optimally, hobbled by the U.S. refusal to allow new appointments to its Appellate Body. Meanwhile, key functions of institutions like the United Nations Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the International Trade Centre (ITC) are being curtailed or merged under funding pressures, despite their vital roles in development and technical assistance.

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Read More: https://shridathramphalcentre.com/multilateralism-under-fire-but-not-finished/

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DEVELOPING A POLICY FRAMEWORK FOR ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE

Representatives of the Chamber met with a member of the consulting team from CPCS, who is currently supporting the Government of Saint Lucia in developing a Sustainable Road Transport Policy Framework. The Consultants wanted to meet with key stakeholders like the Chamber to gather insights to help shape a practical and inclusive policy.

The Meeting took place in the Chamber Conference room where members articulated their views and concerns, primarily the fact that several consultancies and studies on the road infrastructure have been conducted and none of the findings or outcomes implemented. The Chamber bemoaned the implementation crisis within the public sector and highlighted the high economic impact of the economy and businesses that ultimately had to be passed on to consumers.

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CHAMBER JOINS WIDER PRIVATE SECTOR IN MEETING WITH THE POLICE

The perennial concerns of how crime and general breakdown of Law and Order was the subject of a meeting of private sector agencies and the Royal St. Lucia Police Force.

In a meeting organized by the Ministry of Commerce the Commissioner of Police was able to hear some of the concerns of the business community and in turn in a "tour de force" presentation outline some of the major initiatives he was implementing to tackle the longstanding and bothersome of crime fighting and bringing a greater of control to the hands of the police degree as they tackle the scourge.

The Private Sector was impressed with the systematic and targeted approach the Commissioner of Police was employing, and he articulated the rational and anticipated outcomes that will be derived.

Chamber President advised the Commissioner that members of the Chamber had agreed to support the efforts of the Police and would as such be contributing some computer hardware and devices to facilitate the work of the Police among other support members were providing directly.    

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Commerce & Cocktails

Successful in the South

Castries, Saint Lucia – 15 May 2025 — On Wednesday, May 14, 2025, the St. Lucia Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture successfully hosted its second  Commerce & Cocktails networking event at Heineken Saint Lucia Social Room in Vieux Fort.

The event drew southern business owners and entrepreneurs, as well as key representatives from the Chamber Board of Directors who travelled to Vieux Fort in support of this important outreach initiative.

The evening featured insightful remarks by Mrs. Debra Tobierre, Managing Director of True Value Building & Hardware Supplies, a prominent voice in the southern business community. She emphasized the usefulness of greater collaboration among southern enterprises as a catalyst for economic growth. Mrs. Tobierre also shared the value of Chamber Membership citing her companies experience actively taking advantage of many training sessions and informative and consultative meetings, which they have used the knowledge gained to support her company’s continued expansion.

The event featured networking, an interactive scavenger hunt designed to facilitate connections, and a brief presentation on the value of Chamber membership. As with the inaugural edition, the scavenger hunt proved to be a highlight of the evening—encouraging attendees to actively engage each other in a fun, structured environment. The activity also resulted in some valuable prizes being won, including complimentary participation in training and luncheon events to be hosted by the Chamber.

Kamille Huggins, Membership Development Officer, reminded attendees that active participation is key to maximizing the benefits of Chamber membership. She reinforced the Chamber’s continued commitment to working with and on behalf of members across the island.

Several participants suggested the Chamber needs to exert greater effort to host event in the south of the islands including more training sessions aimed at this business community.

Celebrating its 140th anniversary in 2024, the Chamber—established in 1884—remains dedicated to promoting sustainable growth and prosperity for businesses in every corner of St. Lucia. Commerce & Cocktails – Southern Edition served as a reaffirmation of this enduring mission. Once again, as part of its Commerce and Cocktails effort a special discount was on offer to firms from the south of the island who joined the Chamber within the next 30-day period, in celebration of the Chamber’s 140-year of operation.

For more information contact: Mr. Brian Louisy, Executive Director

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Upcoming: BCP Workshop

Business Continuity Workshop

St. Lucia Chamber of Commerce to Hosts the Business Continuity Planning Workshop un the Elevate Program

The St. Lucia Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce its upcoming four-day Business Continuity Planning Workshop hosted under the “Elevate Program”, set to take place on June 2nd to 5th, 2025, from 4:00PM to 7:00PM at the Chamber's Conference Room, Orange Park Commercial Center, Bois D’Orange.

This vital workshop is designed to help small businesses strengthen their ability to withstand a wide range of disruptions, ensuring they can recover quickly and continue operating effectively. Given that small businesses often operate with limited financial resources, it's especially important for them to be well-organized and proactive in managing the many risks that exist.

The workshop examines BCP as part of resilience strategy as business resilience extends beyond merely preparing for hurricanes or natural disasters. The workshop will encourage firm's to properly the various risks and disruptions their particular operation is exposed to, including cyber risks, civil unrest, cashflow, inventory, primary talent exposure, biological threats, and pandemics. The workshop will delve into how companies can conduct thorough risk assessments, and develop comprehensive Business Continuity Plans (BCP), and implement effective risk reduction strategies.

The workshop will be facilitated by Mr. Andrew George, an ISO Certified Risk Management Trainer, who brings extensive expertise in disaster risk diagnosis and business continuity planning. Mr. George has a proven track record of helping organizations identify vulnerabilities and develop robust plans to mitigate a wide range of risks. His hands-on approach will guide participants through the process of conducting risk analysis, thinking through mitigation measures, and building a BCP tailored to their firm's specific needs.

Registration fees are $300 for Chamber members and $500 for non-members. Due to the interactive nature of the workshop, spaces are limited. Interested participants are encouraged to register by May 15^th, 2025.

For more information, please contact the St. Lucia Chamber of Commerce at info@stluciachamber.org or call 452-3165.

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Look Out for the 2025 St. Lucia Business Award

The St. Lucia Chamber has invited requests for proposals (RFPs) for the production of the St. Lucia Business Awards. One RFP is for PR, Video and Audio Services while the other is for Event Production Services.

Many would recall that in 2008 under the Presidency of the deceased Christian Husbands the Chamber put out a similar request for proposals for the production of a "revised format" for the Awards which had formerly been done as part of the President's Dinner and Awards.

This bold move ushered in the ten years of a most highly rated St. Lucia Business Awards. The Chamber has not hosted the event for some five years now (due to the COVID-19 Pandemic) sees this as an opportunity to breathe fresh and new ideas into the event, once again, by inviting proposals from a number of firms.

Members, who for a number of years have wished to have an opportunity to submit proposals for the execution of the event are happy and anxious to submit their proposals.

Members are asked to pay close attention as the next month will see a flurry of active as we put plans into high gear.  

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Upcoming:

Finance for Non-Financial Managers

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Be sure to stay tuned for the highly anticipated upcoming Chess Championship!- Registration Opens soon !

Explore Alternative Suppliers at Agroalimentaria 2025

The St. Lucia Chamber of Commerce invites its members to take advantage of a unique opportunity to explore new suppliers and expand their business connections at Agroalimentaria 2025—the premier trade show for the Food, Beverage, and Tobacco industries in the Caribbean.

Set to take place from May 28th to 31st, 2025 at the Dominican Fiesta Hotel & Convention Center in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Agroalimentaria offers a dynamic platform to discover high-quality products, ranging from fresh and processed fruits and vegetables to exotic beverages and world-renowned Dominican cigars.

This 9th edition of Agroalimentaria is expected to bring together exporters, buyers, and investors from over 170 countries. With more than 3,800 product lines on display, it’s the ideal space for businesses looking to diversify their sourcing, reduce supply chain risks, and engage with regional partners.

Participants will benefit from scheduled B2B meetings, informative sessions, and networking opportunities with some of the most innovative producers in the region. Whether you're in retail, distribution, food service, or hospitality, this trade show could open doors to new markets and alternative suppliers that align with your business goals.

We encourage all members interested in sourcing quality goods or exploring trade opportunities in the region to mark their calendars and consider attending.

For more information, visit www.agroalimentaria.com.do, or contact the Chamber directly.

Click Link to View Magazine: Agroalimentaria 2025-link.pdf

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Join the Chamber's WhatsApp Group

Scan QR Code to Join!

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Chamber's Website Placement

Renewals & New Applicants

New Applicants:

We are excited to offer you an exclusive opportunity to showcase your company’s logo, social media handles, and contact details prominently on the St. Lucia Chamber of Commerce website and in our widely circulated Annual Report. This is a unique chance to amplify your brand visibility while aligning with the credibility and outreach of the Chamber.

Renewals:

The current arrangement for your company’s logo placement on the Chamber’s website, along with links to your email, telephone number, and social media assets, have expired as of February 1, 2025.

For your convenience, we encourage you to visit our website at www.stluciachamber.org and review your company’s listing. This is an excellent opportunity to confirm or update your existing information.

Kindly Note: The placement for 2025 will remain valid until December 31, 2025, ensuring extended value for your investment.

Thank you once again for your continued support and partnership. Should you have any questions or require further clarification, please do not hesitate to contact us.

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Elevate: Small Business Support Program

Click flyer to register

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KPI's Series : Key Performance Indicators

Healthy Lifestyle Series

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