The National Competitiveness and Productivity Council (NCPC) has successfully concluded the final segment of its Enhancing Business Productivity Training Programme. The milestone marks the 12^th cohort of the two-day training sessions, an initiative aimed at strengthening how Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) plan, operate, and grow in an increasingly competitive environment.

Officials from several critical agencies, including the Judiciary, the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force, Customs & Excise, the Inland Revenue Department, the Financial Intelligence Authority and the Financial Services Regulatory Authority came together for a workshop focused on the latest global standards for combating financial crime.

Saint Lucia is adopting a strategic, forward-focused approach to national development as the Ministry of Economic Development convenes a series of stakeholder consultations to help chart the country’s course over the next 15 years. The consultations form a critical component of a comprehensive situational and gap analysis that will guide the formulation of the Medium-Term Development Strategy for 2026 to 2030 and the National Development Plan spanning 2026 to 2040. 

Taxpayers filing for the 2025 income year can expect notable changes to their returns, following amendments to the income tax legislation.   According to Acting Deputy Comptroller Cyprian Montrope, the reforms stem from recent budget announcements by the Government and are aimed at delivering meaningful financial relief.

The Ministry of Finance, through the National Integrated Planning and Programme Unit (NIPP), has commenced specialized Public Asset Management training, commencing with the Ministry of Education. According to the Deputy Director of Finance, Alison Griffith-McDiarmed, effective disaster preparedness begins long before a crisis. Without that baseline information, accurate budgeting, financial reporting, and post-disaster assessments become extremely difficult.

A new project aimed at strengthening Saint Lucia’s climate change resilience efforts is officially underway. Known as SALUT, Saint Lucia Training for Climate Change Resilience using Citizen Science Data and Technologies.  The initiative brings together international and local partners in a collaborative effort to improve climate monitoring, data use, and capacity building.

The Inland Revenue Department (IRD) has embarked on a major initiative aimed at strengthening tax administration and improving service delivery to the public. Senior management of the IRD, with support from consultants from the Caribbean Regional Technical Assistance Centre (CARTAC), participated in a week-long strategic planning workshop held from January 12 to 16, 2026.

The Department of Finance, through the Accountant General’s Department, has embarked on a mission to modernize the management of government finances. Accountants from key departments, including Inland Revenue, Audit, Procurement, and several other agencies, recently convened for a workshop organized by the Treasury Department.