Cast your vote for the People's Choice Award here.
The St. Lucia Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture has submitted preliminary ideas for consideration of the Minister of Commerce as he contemplates his contribution to the Budget Policy debate on the 2026/2027 National Budget.
The suggestions highlight urgent action needed to improve the business climate and unlock economic growth.
While the proposals are based primarily on Board input and reflect ongoing business concerns, the Chamber notes that wider member consultation is still to come, with a more comprehensive submission planned for the next budget cycle.
The message is clear—St. Lucia must tackle longstanding structural challenges that continue to hold businesses back:
Low productivity
Skills shortages
Bureaucratic delays
Infrastructure bottlenecks
Growing safety concerns
The Chamber is calling for targeted action in five key areas:
Investment Policy: Fair and modern incentives that support local businesses and strengthen economic linkages
Ease of Doing Business: Faster, more efficient public services and real digital transformation
Skills & Labour: Stronger TVET, better alignment with industry needs, and new approaches like micro-credentialing & the development of a Skills Register.
Productivity & Competitiveness: A more focused and better-resourced National Competitiveness and Productivity Council
Infrastructure & Safety: Solutions for traffic, port congestion, water resilience, and improved public safety
Among the immediate actions proposed:
Lower duties on smartphones to support digital access
Reduce vehicle parts duties to ease business costs
Improve enforcement of environmental and planning regulations
Address congestion in ports and along key transport corridors
The Chamber emphasizes that these challenges are not new—but solving them requires stronger follow-through and coordinated action.
The Chamber stands ready to work with Government to turn these priorities into practical results that drive growth, competitiveness, and opportunity for all.