"Adapting, Operating and Thriving in the Next Normal Some Critical Perspectives" highlighted the dramatic impact COVID-19 has had on Developing Countries the world over. Tourism-dependent economies like that of St. Lucia have been hit hard and among other things are experiencing a collapse of revenues. Among the considerations shared by Dr. Nurse was the assertive option of “Reinventing” of the economy, Diversification through Innovation, Strategic Transformation, and Social & Environmental renewal.

Dr. Nurse postulated that there are strategic opportunities for St. Lucia to pivot; through tourism diversification in areas such as educational tourism, medical tourism, business relocation (MICE), and cultural/heritage tourism. Nurse also pointed out the need to explore and take advantage of the low carbon competitiveness, in areas like the circular economy, renewable energy, the green economy and the blue economy. He also noted that St. Lucia could also take steps in public health and emerging diseases, reduction in non-communicable diseases and preventative health, agri-tech and entrepreneurship as well as food import replacement. He also highlighted opportunities in ICTs and Telecoms, Digital trade and e-commerce, creative economy and cyber-tech and security.

Dr. Nurse also took time to set out the dynamic and transformative role of the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College in positioning itself to help the business community and wider society take advantage of emerging opportunities. Dr.  Nurse took many questions from the floor and pointed out that overtime St. Lucia has reduced its funding to tertiary education to less than what it contributed in the era when the College was first established.

Dr. Nurse alerted members of the emerging programs and scope for greater responsiveness and collaboration with the College and some early wins that the College was already enjoying. Dr. Nurse sounded the College’s preparedness to partner with Chamber and its members to help Adapt Operate and Thrive in the next normal.