SLHTA Participates in Stakeholder Meeting on National Export Strategy 2025 – 2029
The SLHTA was recently represented by Director Kirk Elliott at a Validation Meeting of the National Export Strategy (NES) 2025 – 2029 convened by Export Saint Lucia. Representatives from across Saint Lucia’s public and private sectors were also in attendance.
The session, facilitated by Consultant Ms. Perle Alcindor, provided stakeholders with a critical opportunity to shape the final framework for the country’s next five years of export growth.
Participants included among others, representatives of the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority (SLTA), Customs & Excise, the Saint Lucia Manufacturers’ Association (SLMA), the Saint Lucia Chamber of Commerce, and the Ministries of Agriculture and Tourism, reflecting the collaborative, cross-sector approach that lies at the heart of the NES.
A Forum for Engagement
The validation meeting followed Export Saint Lucia’s stakeholder invitation, which emphasized the importance of open dialogue and alignment. Stakeholders were invited to:
• Review the draft National Export Strategy 2025–2029.
• Share feedback and recommendations on the proposed strategic direction.
• Contribute insights on priority sectors and export opportunities.
• Discuss implementation approaches and potential challenges.
• Ensure alignment between the strategy and stakeholder expectations.
This interactive format reinforced the strategy’s core principle: Export development is a shared national responsibility.
A Blueprint for Growth and Resilience
The NES 2025–2029 builds on the foundation of the 2020–2024 strategy, which achieved measurable gains despite global disruptions. The revised plan positions Saint Lucia to thrive in an era shaped by climate change, digital trade, and shifting global markets.
Key Sector Priorities Include:
• Tourism Services: expansion into wellness, eco and adventure tourism, digital tourism, and community-based cultural experiences.
• Agro-Processing & Functional Foods: value-added products such as artisanal beverages and organic foods.
• Creative & Cultural Industries: music, film, design, and digital content exports.
• ICT & Digital Services: fintech, e-learning, e-commerce, and cybersecurity.
• Renewable Energy & Green Services, with emerging opportunities in the Blue Economy and Agri-Tech.
Coordination and Financing Implementation will be anchored by:
• Export Saint Lucia as lead coordinating agency.
• The National Export Council (NEC) providing oversight.
• Sector Working Groups & Technical Committees translating policy into action.
• A new Business Advisory Council (BAC), giving the private sector a stronger role in decision-making.
Financing is framed around three options:
• Conservative (EC$2.5m) – core activities only.
• Balanced (EC$4.5m) – targeted sector reforms and support.
• Optimistic (EC$7m) – full rollout with structural transformation.
Opportunities For the Hospitality & Tourism Sector
For SLHTA members, the strategy underscores opportunities to integrate more local products, services, and cultural experiences into the tourism value chain. By emphasizing eco-tourism, wellness, and digital tourism, the NES aligns directly with global travel trends and creates pathways for Saint Lucia to strengthen its reputation as a high-value destination.
Next Steps
With validation now complete, the NES 2025 – 2029 will undergo final refinements before entering the first phase of implementation. Export Saint Lucia will coordinate delivery, supported by the NEC, with progress monitored through a traffic-light dashboard and a mid-term review in 2027.
The SLHTA will continue to play an active role in ensuring that tourism and hospitality remain central to Saint Lucia’s export growth while also fostering linkages with complimentary sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, inter alia to maximize impact.
This National Export Strategy Validation Meeting Review was prepared by:
Kirk Elliott
SLHTA Director at Large
Representing Banks, Professionals, Educational/Training Institutions & Other Allied Members
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