An initiative has begun in St. Lucia to determine what sectors, policies and regulations could spur St. Lucia’s competitiveness and drive inclusive long term economic growth.
The Dialogue for Private Sector Development and Economic Growth held on July 27th at the Finance Administrative Centre was driven and facilitated by Compete Caribbean through its local focal point the National Competitiveness and Productivity Council.
Attendees of Dialogue for Private Sector Development and Economic Growth
In his address Minister for Finance Senator Dr. Ubaldus Raymond, noted the timeliness of the initiative coming as St. Lucia lagged behind in productivity and innovation.
He lamented that “Unfortunately, St. Lucia is no longer ranked first place in the region in the World Bank’s Doing Business indicators. This situation is further compounded by low levels of productivity and innovation, as well as lack of competitiveness”.
The Minister noted that government has been working on a Private Sector Development Strategy and a National Export Strategy in its efforts to stimulate economic growth.
L-R – Senator Dr. Ubaldus Raymond, Ms. Michelle Charles (DPS Education), Dr. Sylvia Dohnert (Compete Caribbean Partnership Facility) and Lisa Harding (CDB)
Dr. Raymond added that “The Government is therefore committed to leading the process by creating the enabling environment which will support private sector-led growth. This support will be channelled through the NCPC and other agencies of government in collaboration with our development partners such as Compete Caribbean”.
Mrs. Fiona Hinkson of the National Competitiveness and Productivity Council detailed the successes of the NCPC in advancing the island’s competitiveness and noted her organisation’s readiness to facilitate the dialogue.
The NCPC Executive Director expounded on the functions of her organisation noting that “We actively research on factors and principles of productivity and competitiveness in order to inform policy, project design, and dissemination of key indicators”.
Mrs. Fiona Hinkson – Executive Director, NCPC
Dr. Sylvia Dohnert, the Executive Director of Compete Caribbean Partnership Facility said this private sector development program has agreed to fund three projects that will lead to meaningful reform or the institutional strengthening needed for business growth in St. Lucia. Similar offers are being made to other OECS States.
She noted that one call for proposals “is at the national level in each country and is about a policy or regulatory reform or institutional strengthening projects that St. Lucia wants Compete Caribbean to fund.”
The Compete Caribbean Program was launched in 2011, with a view to increasing productivity and stimulating private sector development in region. Building upon the successes of Phase 1, Phase II (2017-2020), funded by the Inter-American Development Bank, the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development and the Caribbean Development Bank is intended to further facilitate private sector development and economic growth in the region.
The second call for proposals targets clusters with bias towards job creation. Dr. Dohnert described clusters as “groups of firms that do things together. In the first phase of COMPETE Caribbean we found them to be very powerful, over 5000 jobs were created through 8 clusters that we supported”.
Dr. Sylvia Dohnert- Executive Director, Compete Caribbean Partnership Facility
A deadline of August 31st has been set for the receipt of submissions. Proposals for clusters can be submitted directly to Compete Caribbean (competecaribbean@iadb.org). Proposals for policy or regulatory reform and institutional strengthening should be forwarded to the National Competitiveness and Productivity Council:
The Executive Director,
National Competitiveness and Productivity Council,
4th Floor, Finance Administrative Centre
Pointe Seraphine
Castries, Saint Lucia
Further details can be obtained by downloading the Compete Caribbean Partnership Facility Call for Proposals or from the NCPC via e-mail stluciancpc@gmail.com or telephone 468-1587.