While delivering the annual throne speech yesterday, Saint Lucia’s Acting Governor General (GG) H.E. Errol Charles spoke about the country’s resilience, economic performance and governance priorities amidst global uncertainties.
He noted that despite the challenges posed by external forces due to “supply chain disruptions, high energy prices, and interest rates, the Saint Lucian economy continues to show resilience.”
High up on the agenda, GG Charles highlighted the achievements of Saint Lucian sprint sensation Julien Alfred and acknowledged her outstanding feats.
“We have good reason to celebrate and to be proud. We have been able to call to the world’s attention, not for the first time, that we are good enough to be the best,” he told the gathering at the joint sitting of parliament on Tuesday.
“The recent achievement of Julien Alfred is a vindication of all those who believe in the ability and the talent of the youth,” declared GG Charles. He added that Alfred has “given us reason to be proud Saint Lucians.”
“Her tenacity and self-belief must be an inspiration to all of us. Her achievement is a reminder that talent and ability are not the preserve of those enabled by privilege and huge resources,” he said.
Despite the global economic hurdles and hardships faced by the citizenry, GG Charles stressed on the government’s successful management of public finances, enabling the partial servicing of debt obligations while meeting recurrent expenditures. Notably, he said, more people have been able to be gainfully employed and the unemployment rate has reached its lowest since 2007.
“A significant part of this increase is in youth unemployment,” Charles stated.
He continued, “tourism, the main driver of the Saint Lucian economy, is now almost back to the pre-COVID-19 level and growing. Investor confidence is up with growth in the Saint Lucian economy expected for a third consecutive year.”
The acting governor general is optimistic about the country’s future economic growth, citing an increase in planned infrastructural projects for 2024–2025 that is anticipated to further bolster the fiscal position and reduce unemployment.
He noted that since July, 2021 “government has set our country on a path of stability and sustainable growth. Much ground has been covered in a relatively short period, but not enough …for government to ease up on the acceleration pedal to economic and social change.”
Charles stressed the government’s commitment to good governance, emphasizing accountability, transparency, and the rule of law.