A new US$200 million investment in Choiseul is poised to raise the standard of living for residents and spur economic growth in Saint Lucia.
The new luxury development, Sunset Bay Saint Lucia, plans to have 40 villas and about 110 rooms on property.
The developer, GP Group, is a leading European-based construction and project development company. GP’s CEO of Overseas Operations, Christo Pancheff, said Saint Lucians will benefit from several employment opportunities.
“During construction we are trying to [employ] about 200 local people. After we finish, [we are looking to employ] at least 250 or 300 people for the maintenance service. Also, we would like to [put in] a beer garden, and a sports centre . The idea is to evolve that part of the island.”
Director of the Saint Lucia Tourist Board (SLTB) Louis Lewis, said the project promises to change the lives of that community.
“We are very excited about the prospect of this development project in Choiseul, and the opening up of the south-west of the island which has not been utilized for tourism purposes. It creates an opportunity for employment in that part of the island. It also is happening at a time when the demand for the destination is strong so we have every reason to believe that it will be successful.”
The earmarked development site is Sab Wisha in Choiseul. CIP Saint Lucia and the developers say that the ecosystem in the designated 25 acre property will not be negatively impacted. These assertions are based on an Environmental Impact Assessment carried out in the early stages of the project.