Newly appointed Commerce Minister Dr. Ernest Hilaire is determined to enhance the ease of doing business in Saint Lucia and cultivate a thriving environment for local entrepreneurs and manufacturers.
The Minister is resolute in building on past achievements and actively seeks new opportunities for collaboration and growth across multiple sectors.
Dr. Hilaire emphasizes the government’s clear mandate of “Putting People First,” asserting, “We must unite the country and seize the golden opportunity to build on our successes.”
“We invite all Saint Lucians to join us on this journey and drive commerce forward,” he stated.
He highlighted “small successes” within the Ministry of Commerce related to Small and Micro enterprises, proclaiming, “This presents a tremendous opportunity to elevate the groundwork laid by former Commerce Minister Hippolyte and focus intently on strengthening the small business sector in Saint Lucia.”
In this context, Minister Hilaire stressed the necessity for authorities to “step back” and evaluate the obstacles hindering locals from starting their own businesses and investing in the country.
Referencing achievements from the Youth Economy Agency (YEA), he urged, “We must look at our successes within the Loan Grant Facility and eliminate institutional, regulatory, and legislative barriers that impede the launch of small businesses by Saint Lucians.”
The Minister vowed to intensify efforts to improve “the ease of doing business in Saint Lucia.”
Importantly, Dr. Hilaire affirmed, “We will create an enabling environment where the people of Saint Lucia feel confident that the government is dedicated to supporting business growth. And when businesses encounter challenges, the government will be there to assist them.”
He is confident that this transition will invigorate the economic landscape across sectors, including tourism, manufacturing, and the creative industry, empowering Saint Lucian business owners to flourish and succeed.