Caribbean Business REPORT for 4th May 2020 (2)

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THE
INDEPENDENCE
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Issue 573
May 4, 2020
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THE
INDEPENDENCE
Speak to the Ministry of Commerce about
re-opening your business
The Chamber of Commerce has advised
its members that ONLY the Ministry of
Commerce can authorise the re-opening of
a business.
Business that may wish to operate at a
minimal level during the State of Emergency,
which expires May 31st 2020 should submit
applications to the Ministry of Commerce.
They will advise whether it is possible to reopen,
how soon and under what conditions.
ONLY the Ministry of Commerce can give
permission to re-open business during the
State of Emergency.
Businesses can apply through the Ministry of
Commerce website
https://www.commerce.gov.lc/
Or you can speak with Ministry officials at
285 7603 and 285 3324.
The Chamber stands prepared to assist members requiring assistance with these application,
and remains available via info@stluciachamber.org
»»
Headlines
¤ ¤ Speak to the Ministry of Commerce about
re-opening your business
¤ ¤ Prime Minister presents $1.6B budget
¤ ¤ The ECCB Governor addresses Covid-19
economic outlook
¤ ¤ Join hundreds of St. Lucians now paying
their bills online through SurePay
¤ ¤ NIC Chairman clears the air on NIC’s
COVID-19 response
¤ ¤ Carnival Cruises making arrangements to
repatriate St. Lucian crew members
¤ ¤ When will individual cruise lines sail again?
¤ ¤ Bank of Saint Lucia joins OECS Covid-19
fight
¤ ¤ World Bank provides US$10.5 Million to
St Lucia for COVID-19 Response
¤ ¤ Castries City Council handed 1st phase of
Market Redevelopment Project
¤ ¤ Government to proceed with strategic
projects
¤ ¤ Admac promotes food security through
Market Experience
¤ ¤ SLHTA President: this is what a ‘rainy day’
looks like
¤ ¤ Prime Minister: now more than ever –buy
from local entrepreneurs
¤ ¤ Caribbean Digital Transformation Project’s
first Virtual Mission for St. Lucia
¤ ¤ CCRIF provides US$150,000 in scholarships
to Caribbean nationals
¤ ¤ Dropping Gayle was ‘business” – now he’s
signed up to the Zouks
¤ ¤ Royal Caribbean agrees to CDC terms for
crew members
¤ ¤ Dominica businesses focusing on
stabilisation and growth
¤ ¤ ExxonMobil -1st major loss in 32 years; 1st
quarter down US$610M
¤ ¤ Dominica discussing workforce options in a
COVID-19 era
¤ ¤ St. Kitts STEP workers attached to
businesses allowed to return
¤ ¤ Dominica’s CIP touted

Prime Minister presents
$1.6B budget
Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Economic Growth, Job
Creation, External Affairs and the Public Service, Allen Chastanet has
presented the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for 2020/2021.
The Estimates of Expenditure for the financial year 2020/2021
stands at ONE BILLION, SIX HUNDRED AND NINETY-SEVEN
MILLION, THREE HUNDRED AND TWELVE THOUSAND, EIGHT
HUNDRED DOLLARS ($1,697,312,800) as a charge against the
Consolidated Fund and other funds of the State of Saint Lucia.
The debate on the estimates has taken place in the Lower House. This
will be followed by the Senate debate.
Yet to come is the debate on the Policy directions of the government
for the 2020/21 period.
If you missed the Prime Minister’s Presentation of the Estimates of
Expenditure - You can watch it here. The Prime Minister’s presentation
actually begins at about 27 minutes.
The response by the Leader of the Opposition can be viewed here.

Join hundreds of St. Lucians now paying their
bills online through SurePay
The ECCB Governor
addresses Covid-19
economic outlook
Governor of the Eastern Caribbean
Central Bank Timothy N.J. Antoine
has been speaking about the impact
of COVID-19 on the economies of the
Currency Union.
He gave an update during a
broadcast of the National Emergency
Management Agency of St. Kitts and
Nevis.
The address can be viewed here.
SurePay now boasts of over 40 collection points islandwide.
J.E Bergasse launched
SurePay in May 2012,
and now eight years later
its value is being truly
appreciated, as COVID-19
has forced major changes to
how business is transacted
in St. Lucia and globally.
In September 2019 SurePay launched its online bill payment gateway allowing the clients of
our 18 billers the option to pay their bills, loans & insurance premiums online.
These billers include “Flow, LUCELEC, WASCO, Digicel, Axcel Finance, Demerara Mutual,
Massy United Insurance, Rubis Saint Lucia, Saint Lucia National Trust, J E Bergasse, Pan
American Life Insurance, Sagicor General Insurance, Sagicor Finance, Laborie Cooperative
Credit Union, Mon Repos Cooperative Union, Saltibus Cooperative Credit Union, Agostini
Insurance Brokers, & Ascendancy”.
During the month of March 2020, online registrations & transactions increased significantly.
It’s safe to say that not only are these citizens practicing safe distancing measures, but
ensuring the peace of mind that their bills are paid during this challenging time.
Here is an interview with Irma Frank, the SurePay Coordinator in St. Lucia with the latest.
J.E. Bergasse is now open for business. Click here for details

NIC Chairman clears the air on NIC’s
COVID-19 response
Carnival Cruises
making arrangements
to repatriate St. Lucian
crew members
The Chairman of the National Insurance Corporation Dr. Isaac Anthony has released a
statement providing details of the NIC’s response to COVID-19 and its impact on contributors.
The full statement can be viewed here
And if you are interested in filing for benefits under the NIC’s Economic Relief Programme, it
will be extremely helpful if you views this instructional video.
When will individual cruise lines sail again?
Nine Carnival cruise ships are repatriating
over 10,000 crew members around the
world.
The cruise ship Carnival Glory will be taking
the St. Lucia crewmembers home. Carnival
Glory is sailing to the Caribbean with stops at
St. Lucia, the Grenadines Islands including
St. Vincent; Jamaica; Mexico and Panama.
Carnival Cruise Line has already announced
a huge repatriation effort to get over 10,000
crew members back home.
18 Carnival cruise ships are meeting in the
Bahamas over several days where the crew
will be transferred via water shuttles to the
ship which will sail them back to their home
country or region.
The cruise industry has pretty much come to a standstill and due to the current health
pandemic around the world, the return to service of cruise ships is constantly changing.
In this post, we’ll keep Cruise Hive readers updated on when cruise lines are expecting to
begin cruises once again.
Read the details here
Meanwhile there is a search on for a missing
crew member of Royal Caribbean, now in
the Mediterranean. Read that report here
It does depend on how the virus impacts travel and if it continues to spread we could see
even further extension from cruise lines for their voluntary suspension of cruise operations.
Let’s take a look at when each cruise line expects to return at the moment:
Read the details here

Bank of Saint Lucia joins OECS
Covid-19 fight
World Bank provides
US$10.5 Million to St
Lucia for COVID-19
Response
The Bank of Saint Lucia (BOSL) joined the response efforts by partnering with the
OECS to mitigate against the possible health impacts that threaten the Region through
a US$40,000.00 contribution towards purchasing ventilators.
Acting Managing Director, Mr. Medford Francis was pleased to register the Bank’s
commitment to this initiative.
OECS Director General, Dr. Didacus Jules thanked BOSL for their timely support given
the current competing global demands for vital equipment. This contribution, he said,
will add to the basket of resources available to increase the quantity of equipment and
medical supplies to be sourced through the Commission’s pooled procurement.
Dr. Jules gave insight to the Organisation’s track record through its Pharmaceutical
Procurement Service:
“Our pooled procurement process has enabled us over the past 30 years to source and
supply over 800 medicines and a wide range of medical equipment and supplies to the
Member States of the OECS.”
The Commission is hopeful for continued support from Private Sector Agencies in this
initiative, which will undoubtedly alleviate the health, economic and social impact of
COVID-19 on the OECS Region.
Agencies interested in lending regional support to the COVID-19 Response can contact
the Development Cooperation and Resource Mobilisation Unit at the OECS, via
telephone 1-758-455-6354 or through email at dcrm@oecs.int.
Saint Lucia will benefit from US$10.5 million
activated from World Bank projects to
support the country’s COVID-19 response.
This financing will strengthen Saint Lucia’s
efforts to address the health and economic
impacts of the pandemic.
The financing for the healthcare system
will help increase testing capabilities,
build isolation units, and enhance public
information campaigns to assist with
awareness and prevention.
It will also support the rehabilitation of
Victoria Hospital and other medical facilities,
creating employment through the associated
labor-intensive civil works that will also
enhance infrastructure resilience.
These funds were accessed under the
Contingency Emergency Response
Components of the Saint Lucia Health
System Strengthening Project and
the Disaster Vulnerability Reduction
Project in the amounts of US$5 million and
US$5.5 million, respectively.
World Bank Group COVID-19 Response.

Castries City Council
handed 1st phase of Market
Redevelopment Project
The 1st phase of the Castries Market
Redevelopment Project has been officially
be handed over to the Castries Constituency
Council.
The newly-built edifice can withstand
hurricane wind speeds of up to category five
and includes a sheltered area, structurally
designed to enable the free flow of provisions
market vendors and other market users.
The new facility is outfitted with 100 stalls that
will accommodate all provisions vendors.
In addition, the existing comfort station was
spruced-up and refurbished to contribute to
the overall ambience.
Vendors utilizing the old Jeremie Street Fire
Station site where they were temporarily
placed, will be relocated at their new home in
the coming days.
The next component of Phase 1 of the project
will see the construction of a Container Box
Park creating an avenue for micro enterprising
cosmetic shops, cafés, pubs and eateries.
Thereafter, the remaining component of Phase
1 will include modifications to the entrance of
the market adjacent to the Castries harbour,
construction of a state of the art food court,
high-end air conditioned restaurants, a
refurbished craft market, entertainment area
and meat and fish depots.
Phase 2 will entail the construction of a viewing
tower and duty free shopping boutiques.
Government to proceed with strategic projects
Prime Minister Allen Chastanet says for the past four years his Government has been working hard to negotiate and secure financing for the
implementation of several strategic projects.
“As part of our COVID-19 Economic Response, a major part of our plan to generate jobs and economic activity during this crisis and to make up for
some of the losses due to an absence of tourism, will be through the generation of significant Construction activity in every corner of our country”
Mr. Chastanet posted on his Facebook page.
He said over the coming days, weeks and months, Government will be extremely focused on the implementation of major capital projects.
These include the continuation of the St Jude Hospital Construction project, the Islandwide road rehabilitation project, the rehabilitation of schools
across the island, the upgrading of key sporting facilities, the Castries Redevelopment project, the new Hewanorra International Airport, Water
projects in the south of the island, major desilting and de-bushing in preparation for the hurricane season.
The Prime Minister adds that the Police Headquarters and several other vital employment and economic generating projects are also in the works.

Admac promotes food security through
Market Experience
Admac Gourmet and Health Food hosted its
inaugural Market Experience on Saturday
May 2nd 2020.
The showcase was a celebration of local
products, among them ground provisions,
meat and fish, agro-processed foods,
baked goods and planting material.
The Market Experience took place at the Admac Parking Lot at Beausejour Road and was
occasioned by COVID-19 and the need for promoting Food Security.
Social distancing was enforced and all exhibitors and visitors wore masks.
The Market Experience is likely to be a monthly exercise. Interested persons should call Eric
Simmons at 451-680 or 723-6969.
SLHTA President:
this is what a ‘rainy
day’ looks like
The President of the St. Lucia Hospitality
and Tourism Association the COVID-19
experience has forced the realization that
not enough thought was given to what a
‘rainy day’ would really look like.
In an address for Labour Day to hospitality
workers Mrs. Karolin Troubetzkoy said “The
shockwaves of business closures, loss of
employment and loss of income are still
sending daily ripples across the world and,
let’s be honest, an end to this unprecedented
crisis is not yet in sight”.
She urged the celebration of the enormous
contributions of all workers, but also
suggested an examination of “how together
we can better protect our precious essential
workers in the future”.
The SLHTA President noted that “once
business has restarted, let us also seriously
consider a Pension Fund, Hospitality Worker
Disaster Relief Fund, and the creation of an
unemployment protection scheme”.
Mrs Troubetzkoy has also suggested the
implementation of “better essential health
protection, while on the educational and
training front let us do what we can to create
more opportunities for our workers to gain
professional knowledge and qualifications
to move up the career ladder and guarantee
a work environment that is as rewarding
mentally as it is economically”.

Get a car or jeep rental from
Cool Breeze Car and Jeep Rentals
Prime Minister:
now more than
ever –buy from
local entrepreneurs
www.coolbreezecarrental.com
Caribbean Digital Transformation Project’s first
Virtual Mission for St. Lucia
Prime Minister Allen Chastanet has been
touting a buy local initiative as part of the
COVID-19 Social Stabilisation Plan.
Mr. Chastanet says this is one of the
programs to assist our local entrepreneurs.
The Government of St. Lucia has continued its collaboration with the World Bank in the
implementation of the Caribbean Digital Transformation Project.
This project aims to deliver a dynamic, inclusive and safe digital economy requiring a comprehensive
ecosystem approach which simultaneously builds on several interlocking foundations namely
the: Digital Infrastructure, Digital Platforms, Digital Financial Services, Digital Skills, and Digital
Entrepreneurship and Innovation.
Director of the National Competitiveness and Productivity Council (NCPC) Fiona Hinkson, said
the appraisal mission provided the opportunity for St. Lucia to incorporate activities into the
project that will further support the island’s recovery post COVID-19, whilst strengthening the
digital infrastructure in-county and at the regional level.
“Now more than ever, we must be each
other’s keeper. Support our farmers,
fishermen, livestock producers, Agro
processors, manufacturers, vendors,
musicians, artists and homegrown
entrepreneurs. Encourage them, share
their products with your family and friends,
share them on Social Media and most
importantly Buy from them” Mr. Chastanet
posted on his Facebook page.
He went on the say that “over the coming
weeks, we will be sharing and creating
more opportunities to develop local
products and services, whilst providing
the incentives and platform for Saint
Lucian businesses to grow and excel!
#BuyLocal #BuyLucian #HomeHave”
In 2019 the Government of St. Lucia approved the implementation of the DigiGov project which
aims to deliver 164 government services via an online platform. Spearheading this project is the
Director of Public Sector Modernization, Marlon Narcisse.
He said the DigiGov project has gained great relevance with government having to shut many of
its revenue-generating offices during this pandemic. Opportunities for e-learning and for citizens
to interact with government online and vice versa have made the DigiGov project all the more
relevant during this COVID-19 pandemic.

Regional business stories: the CBR Aggregator
• CCRIF provides US$150,000 in scholarships to Caribbean nationals – Read details here
• Dropping Gayle was ‘business” – now he’s signed up to the Zouks – Read details here
• Royal Caribbean agrees to CDC terms for crew members – Read details here
• Dominica businesses focusing on stabilisation and growth – Read details here
• ExxonMobil -1 st major loss in 32 years; 1 st quarter down US$610M – Read details here
• Dominica discussing workforce options in a COVID-19 era – Read details here
• St. Kitts STEP workers attached to businesses allowed to return – Read details here
• Dominica’s CIP touted – Read details here

Agostini Insurance
Brokers Limited
WE’RE OPEN FOR BUSINESS!
We wish to inform our loyal customers that we've
resumed our normal business operations effective
TH
MONDAY 27 APRIL 2020 BETWEEN THE HOURS
OF 8:30 A.M. AND 4:00 P.M DAILY.
Until the relaxation the curfew.
With the community quarantine still in place, we encourage everyone to
continue practicing the health safety measures upon entering the building.
We would also like to take this opportunity to inform you that our
Document Centre branch on Bourbon Street, Castries
has closed its doors indefinitely.
J. E. BERGASSE & COMPANY LTD.
JEB Bldg., Vide Bouteille, P. O. Box 102, Castries, Saint Lucia
Tel: (758) 456-6500 Fax: (758) 456-6508
Email: info@jebergasse.com Website: www.jebergasse.com
Supporting you... with all your business needs!
jebergasse
J.E. Bergasse is now open for business. Click here for details