Saint Lucia’s business leaders have inaugurated a comprehensive and multifaceted action plan to transform the nation’s economic landscape into a more viable, efficient, and timely framework.
Earlier this month, the Department of Commerce orchestrated an unprecedented assembly of the nation’s foremost regulators, facilitating direct engagement with private sector leaders for high-level consultations aimed at enhancing economic facilitation in the country.
The one-day session, conducted at the Finance Administrative Centre on April 9, showcased the 2026 Ease of Doing Business (EODB) Forum under the theme “Breaking Barriers, Enabling Business.” This forum prioritized administrative efficiency, digital transformation, and the elimination of systemic bottlenecks to cultivate a more resilient domestic business environment.
During the morning sessions, delegates from the Saint Lucia Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Agriculture, Bankers Association, Manufacturers Association, and other industry organizations pinpointed critical friction points hindering private sector growth.
Minister for Commerce & Investment, Dr. Ernest Hilaire, reinforced the Government’s commitment to shifting public services from a regulatory-first mindset to a facilitation-based model, asserting that reforms must transcend mere technology.
“We are talking the language of smart regulation,” Hilaire stated. “Our agencies must adopt a facilitator mindset, recognizing our responsibility to ensure businesses can thrive responsibly.”
Following rigorous panel discussions and multi-stakeholder breakout sessions, the Forum established a robust series of Action Points for immediate and phased implementation:
– The Bankers Association of Saint Lucia will streamline the mortgage application process to match the efficiency of retail credit and explore integrating non-traditional collateral, such as intellectual property, to bolster the creative and technology sectors.
– To address challenges with securing commercial space, stakeholders proposed a centralized database for commercial and crown lands, coupled with an online “application tracker” for real-time transparency in permit approvals. – The Forum called for the establishment of a dedicated Labour Court with permanent judicial oversight to expedite the resolution of industrial disputes, enhancing labour market predictability.
– The Inland Revenue Department (IRD) is actively evaluating a “presumptive tax” system for micro-enterprises and will introduce a Taxpayer Charter to define and guarantee service delivery standards. The Forum underscored significant strides in the government’s digital agenda.
The Customs and Excise Department is finalizing a fully paperless clearance system, while the Registry of Companies & Intellectual Property (ROCIP) is automating incorporation workflows to eliminate manual errors.
Additionally, an Electronic Single Window will be implemented to unify digital interfaces among the Customs & Excise Department, Saint Lucia Air & Sea Port Authority (SLASPA), Ministry of Agriculture, Department of Commerce, and other trade facilitation agencies, drastically reducing administrative burdens on importers and exporters.
To ensure the sustainability of these reforms, the Department of Commerce has established a Business Facilitation Unit, supported by a joint public-private task force, responsible for monitoring the implementation of the Forum’s Action Points and maintaining inter-agency accountability.
Addressing the Forum, Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre declared, “We want Saint Lucians to feel empowered to start a business, confident that they will receive support from the government to thrive. This initiative is not merely for rankings; it is essential for our survival and long-term prosperity.”
Department of Commerce’s Permanent Secretary, Sophia Alfay-Henry, affirmed, “This Forum is not ceremonial; it is purposeful. Meaningful progress cannot occur in isolated silos. Our aim is not to engage in discussions that result only in promises and pleasantries; we are committed to translating dialogue into action.” The outcomes of this Forum will form the cornerstone of the reform agenda to enhance Saint Lucia’s competitiveness and business climate.