Sunday’s (January 12) meeting of members of the Saint Lucia vendors Association will be an exciting one as it will deal with the developments planned for the Castries Seaport and its environs which includes the vendors arcade where the vendors are presently located.
Peter “Ras Ipa” Isaac, President of the Saint Lucia Dry Goods Vendors Association, yesterday stated that the membership is energized and prepared for the upcoming Biennial General Meeting.
Scheduled to be held at the Entrepot Human Resource Development Centre in Castries, this 29th Biennial Meeting will also feature the president’s report, financial statements, and election of officers.
Isaac underscores the importance of this meeting, declaring it a pivotal moment for the association’s evolution and a critical step towards empowering members to take decisive ownership of their business ventures.
While the association initially planned to implement a ‘pre-nomination’ process for the elections, this has not materialized. Nevertheless, nominations will proceed using a streamlined “secret ballot” process.
“We are eagerly anticipating the construction of a new Vendors Arcade, linked to the Global Port Holding (GPH) project and other developments,” Isaac announced.
Following the government’s announcement of upgrades to the seaport through the GPH project, Isaac is optimistic about the membership’s expectations. GPH has assured vendors that they will facilitate the payment of requisite rental fees for the new facility, confirming that these fees will not increase.
“This is an innovative approach,” Isaac stated. “We have engaged with GPH about creating a pathway for visitors disembarking at the northern end of the harbor – at the Queen Elizabeth Port – to pass through the Vendors Arcade before exploring Castries or heading to sightseeing tours.”
Additionally, La Place Carenage management has pledged to design an exit from their shopping areas directly to the Vendors Arcade, ensuring visibility and accessibility for vendors.
As the association’s leader for 28 years, Isaac asserts that this visibility will enhance trade opportunities. Plans include booths for vendors, displays showcasing locally-made gift packages, and a bandstand for live entertainment aimed at attracting visitors.
Significantly, Isaac says that the La Place Carenage management has agreed to allow vendors to operate at their location during ship dockings, providing critical opportunities for commerce.
The association is also planning a ‘Night Activity’ initiative to foster an engaging environment in Castries and broaden its offerings.
When asked if these initiatives align with the association’s short-term and long-term projections for improving operations sustainably amidst the demand for more innovative, locally-made Saint Lucian products, Isaac confirmed that GPH personnel will actively assist vendors in developing and promoting locally crafted goods.
Despite the influx of cruise ships, vendors are not fully capitalizing on these opportunities. GPH is committed to ensuring that vendors receive a fair share of the tourist dollar, addressing competition from various services and attractions vying for visitor attention.
Isaac further explained that vendors plan to create specialized aisles for different products such as leathercraft and woodcraft eliminating redundancy and enhancing product variety.
He emphasized that the GPH project is set to be completed within two years, and during the construction period, the Vendors Arcade will remain operational. Vendors will be phased into new units as they are completed, ensuring continuity in their operations.
With an anticipated turnout of around 100 members from over 300 registered members, Isaac is determined to address attendance issues, recognizing that the membership, spread across the country, serves a network of more than 3,000 vendors.
Despite acknowledging the factors contributing to low attendance, Isaac firmly believes that this timely project will empower vendors to establish a sustainable livelihood within the hospitality sector.