MAYOR Peterson Francis wants Castries vendors not to see their trade as a ‘day to day hustle,’ but as “a micro business enterprise”.
Francis was addressing the closing ceremony of a training workshop for vendors Tuesday, when he told the gathered crowd: “Your trade is vital to the future and continued achievement of your business and by extension our beloved country,” Francis stated.
The Mayor told the gathering that as such, the vendors should pay special attention “to the Local Business / Local Content Development, Business Integrity, progress and Safety and new and emerging business models.”
“We as policy makers, contributors and developers should be dependent on you for quality or value, innovativeness and usefulness of the training programmes you received during the workshop period,” Francis observed.
He called on the vendors to remember the fundamentals and the overall goal of the training workshop.
“Challenge yourself, upgrade, take risks, but effectively share the knowledge and skills to better streamline your business.”
The Mayor declared: “This workshop was designed with you in mind, simply because our government is embarking on major developmental plans where you in the long run will benefit greatly.
“The redevelopment of the Castries Market includes you. The redevelopment of the City of Castries includes you. The redevelopment of the William Peter Boulevard includes you. The side walk rehabilitation project includes you. The Green-spaces project includes you. And our soon-to-be-launched Vendor’s Registration Programme also includes you.
“As such, your lives and businesses will be improved and positively impacted.”
He told the closing session of the training workshop that the Government of Saint Lucia remains committed to their welfare and is working towards enriching their trade and livelihood.
The Mayor advised: “The public opinion campaigns will try to divide you, don’t let it. Instead, be patient, be adaptable to change, support the progress and share your information, particularly what you learnt at the workshops,”