Document Actions
Saint Lucia
Quick Facts
| Population: | 150,000 |
| Land area: | 616 square Km |
| Capital: | Castries |
| Language(s): | English |
| Local Currency: | East Caribbean dollar (XCD) |
| Exchange: | US$1.00 = EC$2.70 |
| UNDP Human Development Rank: | 71 of 177 |
| Life Expectancy: | 72.4 |
| Adult Literacy rate: | 90.1 |
| Official Government website: | http://www.stlucia.gov.lc/ |
Government
- Governor General - Dame Pearlette LOUISY
- Prime Minister - Stephenson KING
- Attorney General and Minister for Justice - Senator Dr Nicholas FREDERICK
- Min. for Agriculture, Forestry, & Fisheries - Ezechiel JOSEPH
- Min. for Communications, Works, Transport, & Public Utilities - Guy JOSEPH
- Min. for Economic Affairs, Economic Planning, Investment and National Development - Ausbert D'AUVERGNE
- Min. for Education and Culture - Arsene JAMES
- Min. in the Min. of Education and Culture - Senator Gaspard CHARLEMAGNE
- Min. for Finance,International Financial Services, External Affairs, Home Affairs and National Security. - Stephenson KING
- Min. for Health, Wellness, Family Affairs, National Mobilization, Human Services and Gender Relations. - Dr Keith MONDESIR
- Min. for Physical Planning, Housing, Urban Renewal,and Local Government - Richard FREDRICK
- Min. for Labour Relations, Information & Broadcasting - Edmund ESTEPHANE
- Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister - Senator Tessa MANGAL
- Min. for Social Transformation, Public Service, Human Resource Development, Youth and Sports - Lenard MONTOUTE
- Min. for Tourism and Civil Aviation - Allen CHASTANET
- Min. for Trade, Industry, Commerce and Consumer Affairs - George MAYERS
Public Holidays: New Year's Day (01 January); New Year's holiday (02 January); Carnival Day (10-11 February); Independence Day (22 February); Good Friday; Easter Monday; Labour Day (01 May); Whit Monday; Corpus Christi (29 May); Emancipation Day (04 August); Thanksgiving (06 October); National Day (13 December); Christmas Day (25 December); Boxing Day (26 December) Holidays that fall on Sunday are celebrated on the Monday following
Economic Development
Economic Survey of the Caribbean 2007-2008
According to the survey the economies of the ECCU continued to show positive growth for the sixth consecutive year. In 2007, preliminary data indicated that growth slowed to 5.2% from 6.3% in 2006 as many public and private construction activities geared towards the CWC were completed. In addition there was a significant contraction in the tourism sector, which actually declined by 0.6% in 2007 compared to 6% in 2006. Fuelled by hikes in oil and food prices, especially in the last quarter of 2007, the rate of inflation increased to 6.1% from 1.3% in 2006 and is expected to continue on an upward trend in 2008. Economic growth will continue to slow but remain positive in 2008, projected at 3.8%, mainly influenced by the slowdown in the United States economy and rising international oil, food and other commodity prices.
In 2007 growth was strongest in Anguilla (21%), St Vincent and the Grenadines (6.9%) and Antigua and Barbuda (6.9%) while Hurricane Dean, which struck in August 2007, negatively impacted on the growth rates of Saint Lucia (1.7% compared to 4.9% in 2006) and Dominica (1.8% compared to 3.8% in 2006). Despite the challenge of continuous volcanic activity in Montserrat, the economy grew by 2.8% compared to negative growth of 3.8% in 2006. Intermediate growth of 3% was recorded in both St Kitts and Nevis while growth in Grenada was 4.4%. The main impetus of growth continued to be the construction sector with spill over effects into mining and quarrying, transportation and communication, electricity and water and banks and insurance. Construction activity will remain robust in 2008 driven by the private sector and the Public Sector Investment Programme (PSIP).
Economic Performance of 2006
Sourced from St. Lucia's 2007 Budget Address, Eastern Caribbean Bank 2006 Report , Eastern Caribbean Currency Union: Selected Issues
The first six months of 2006 had a two-coined effect for the economy of St. Lucia. One side perpetuated high-quality activities, such as the construction sector, which expanded due to infrastructural upgrading for the highly anticipated Cricket World Cup 2007 and other private investment projects. Another influential element for St. Lucia’s good fortune was the increased production in Agriculture; banana production was estimated to increase by 1.5% in 2006 compared to 35.8% decline in the corresponding period of 2005. Spill over effects from the development in the areas mentioned above pushed the manufacturing sector by 5.49%.
On the other side, contrary to the respectable output fulfilled by various sectors, special attention must be kept in mind for 2007’s economic outlook. The number of cruise ship arrivals and stay-over visitors declined in the first half of 2006, leading to a fall in the tourism sector. Importation payments for merchandise goods (especially for construction material) caused a widening of the trade deficit. Government expenditure on capital goods led to a broader public sector debt.
But most importantly, though Agriculture may appear to have some positive 2006 output figures, it could be debilitated by the recent trade arrangements between CARICOM and EU. Incisive suggestions from a 2005 report, in regards to the removal of preferential treatment to CARICOM’s banana exports to the EU, stated that powerful U.S. multinational corporations based in Latin America will cripple the micro producers of banana within CARICOM if preferential treatment is not granted.
Most OECS countries will suffer the most from this tariff only arrangement in 2007, as the exportation of agriculture to the EU was a mode for diversification from the ever fluctuating sector of tourism. St. Vincent’s Deputy Prime Minister Lewis Straker stated, “..a Latin American plantation is bigger than the whole of St. Vincent. If this new banana regime goes ahead, we can be reduced to poverty overnight”, so imagine the repercussions for St. Lucia.
Social Development
The Assessment of Poverty in St. Lucia. (Draft) vol.1
August 2006
This study on living conditions in St. Lucia was conducted in the latter half of 2005 and first quarter of 2006 by Kairi Consultants Limited (Kairi) in collaboration with the National Assessment Team of St. Lucia. The study was commissioned by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) with the support of other development partners – DFID, EU, and CIDA.
This poverty assessment study has three overall objectives. The first is to assess the current living conditions affecting the welfare of people of St. Lucia and analyse the poverty situation, the processes that generate and maintain conditions conducive to poverty, existing responses to the poverty situation and the means available for effective actions to reduce poverty.
The second is to identify the policies, strategies and action programmes that would reduce the extent and severity of poverty in St. Lucia, enhance social development and improve the overall quality of life in the country.
The third is to develop recommendations and a programme of action which sets out strategic options for addressing critical issues emerging from the study, including recommendations to improve existing social development interventions, and the institutional and legal framework.
The study consists of four main components:
- A Macro-Economic and Social Analysis;
- A composite survey comprised of a Survey of Living Conditions (SLC) and a Household Budgetary Survey (HBS);
- A Participatory Poverty Assessment (PPA)
- An Institutional Analysis (IA).
DISASTERS
Assessed Cost of Damages Caused by Hurricane IVAN
September 7TH, 2004
This report provides the assessed cost of damage caused by the effects of Hurricane Ivan. It is only an Initial Damage Assessment (IDA) and does not include any significant details. Despite providing damage assessment from a sectoral standpoint, it must still be considered preliminary, particularly insofar as cost is concerned.
Source: St. Lucia National Emergency Management Org.
2005 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices (Western Hemisphere)
All men and women desire and deserve to live in dignity and liberty. As President Bush said: "The advance of freedom is the great story of our time." Promoting human rights and democracy is a worldwide phenomenon and there is a growing global discussion of democracy and the universal values protected by democratic governance.
By defending and advancing human rights and democratic principles, we keep faith with our country’s most cherished values and lay the foundation for lasting peace. Fulfilling the promise of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights and building vibrant democracies worldwide will take generations, but it is work of the utmost urgency that cannot be delayed.
Source:US Dept. of State
Health
Saint Lucia National Mental Health Policy (Draft)
Ministry of Health, 2007
The National mental health Policy has been developed in response to the inadequacies of our current system in meeting the mental health service needs of the St. Lucian population and represents an attempt for the first time to coordinate and deliver care through national community-based activities and not through the Golden Hope Hospital as a stand-alone institution.
Legislation
Statistics
More Information
St. Lucia: World Bank Approves US$3.5 Million to Help Reduce Youth Unemployment
Washington, May 8, 2007
The World Bank’s Board of Directors today approved a US$3.5 million zero-interest credit to increase youth employment in St. Lucia by providing private sector-driven training .The OECS Skills for Inclusive Growth Project will improve the knowledge and skills of beneficiaries to help youth transition to the labor market. The project will be implemented by the Ministry of Education and the National Skills Development Centre (NSDC). It is the first phase of a regional program that is open to other countries in the region.
This project will assist the Government of St. Lucia to improve the competitiveness of the economy by providing youth with the skills, training and know-how sought by employers,” said Caroline Anstey, World Bank Director for the Caribbean. “Better education and training will allow young people to take advantage of the opportunities presented by a globalizing and growing economy.
Recent economic expansion in the region provides St. Lucia and other Caribbean countries with an opportunity to broaden the gains to youth. Youth unemployment in St. Lucia was 39% in 2005 compared to 13% for the workforce as a whole.
Recent World Bank data estimates that bringing youth unemployment down to the levels of the whole workforce would increase GDP by 1.3 percent. It would also help to reduce youth crime and violence which is negatively impacting economic growth.
Specifically, the project will support the following activities:
- Increasing the levels of training for unemployed youth through the establishment of a competitive training scheme that finances private sector-driven training. This component will subsidize training of approximately 1,850 unemployed youth and their placement in traineeships with private firms to gain on-the-job experience.
- Developing an improved policy framework for delivering training. This component will enhance OECS collaboration for training to reap the benefits of economies of scale, introducing occupational standards to increase the quality and value of training.
- Strengthening the institutional capacity of the National Skills Development Centre and the Ministry of Education to better implement, monitor, and plan training.
Improving provision of a skilled labor force in areas relevant to the economy will enhance investment outcomes,” said Andreas Blom, World Bank task manager for the project. “Additionally, public- private partnerships such as this showcase how public funds can efficiently leverage private resources.
The US$3.5 million credit from the International Development Association (IDA),the institution of the World Bank that provides interest-free loans, has a 35-year maturity and a 10-year grace period.
For more information on the OECS Skills for Inclusive Growth Project
Key Documents
Up one level- Exploring policy linkages between poverty, crime and violence: A look at three Caribbean states: LC/CAR/L.172
- Exploring policy linkages between poverty, crime and violence: A look at three Caribbean states: LC/CAR/L.172
- Report on the situation of youth in selected Caribbean countries: LC/CAR/L.150
- Report on the situation of youth in selected Caribbean countries: LC/CAR/L.150
- Impact of changes in the European Union import regimes for sugar, banana and rice on selected CARICOM countries: LC/CAR/L.168
- The OECS Deepening and Strengthening Integration Through an Economic Union: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- AN ASSESSMENT OF THE AGRI-FOOD DISTRIBUTION SERVICES INDUSTRY IN CARICOM
- Economic Survey of Latin America and the Caribbean 2007-2008
- The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank 'Economic and Financial Review' March 2008
- IMF Executive Board Concludes 2008 Article IV Consultation with St. Lucia.
- Consolidating Gains, Developing a World Class Destination and Enhancing Human Resource Capacity: Budget Address 2005-2006. By The Honourable DR. Kenny D. Anthony Prime Minister
- From recovery to expansion: St. Lucia budget address 2006-2007
- Toward An Integrated Economic Development Strategy
- St. Lucia Budget Address. 2005-2006: Consolidating Gains, Developing a World Class Destination and Enhancing Human Resource Capacity.
- Development of a Draft code of Ethics
- ECCB. Financial Statistics Yearbook. 2005
- CTO. Latest Tourism Statistics for the Caribbean 2008
- Disability in the Caribbean -A study of four countries: a socio-demographic analysis of the disabled: LC/CAR/L.134
- Exploring policy linkages between poverty, crime and violence: A look at three Caribbean States
- Saint Lucia - Macro socio-economic assessment of the damage and losses caused by Hurricane Dean
Bibliography
Up one level- Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States: Draft of the New Treaty
- Oils and Fats Agreement 1963-1966
- The Impact of Globalization on the Caribbean Sugar and Banana Industries
- THE CULTURAL INDUSTRIES IN CARICOM: TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT CHALLENGES
- Foreign Investment in Latin America and the Caribbean 2007
- Saint Lucia Government Statistics Department Publications
- Latin America and the Caribbean in the World Economy 2006. Trends 2007
- St. Lucia: 2002 - 2003 Budget Address
- St. Lucia Economic Review
- A Time to Choose: Caribbean Development in the 21st Century
- OECS. Towards a New Agenda for Growth
- National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan
- Environmentally Sound Technologies for Wastewater and Stormwater Management - Financing
- National Programmes of Action - The Caribbean Experience
- Survey of Caribbean tax systems
- The Economic Outlook for the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union
- Youth, unemployment and the Caribbean Information Society: a challenge and an opportunity
- Poverty and Gender in the Caribbean
- Caribbean Regional Youth Caucus
- World Economic and Financial Surveys. Regional Economic Outlook: Western Hemisphere:Grappling with the Global Financial Crisis