Private Sector Engages Prime Minister on Policy Recommendations for Upcoming Budget

On Thursday, March 17, 2025, Prime Minister Hon. Philip J. Pierre met with key representatives from Saint Lucia’s private sector to discuss their policy recommendations for the upcoming national budget. The discussions focused on critical areas impacting business growth, investment, and economic resilience, with an emphasis on collaboration between the public and private sectors.

Among those in attendance was Noorani Azeez, CEO of the Saint Lucia Hospitality and Tourism Association (SLHTA), who highlighted pressing concerns affecting the tourism sector—one of the country’s key economic drivers.

Azeez raised significant concerns about ongoing water supply challenges, particularly in the northern part of the island, where many of Saint Lucia’s major hotels and resorts are located. He emphasized that unreliable access to water has not only increased operational costs for hotels—forcing them to truck water—but has also placed a heavy burden on staff members, who struggle with the daily inconvenience of inconsistent water supply.

“The impact of water shortages extends beyond inconvenience; it affects our ability to maintain service standards, places added pressure on staff, and creates unexpected costs for businesses,” he stated.

The SLHTA CEO also expressed concerns about the growing difficulty in accessing skilled workers for available job opportunities in the hospitality sector. While Saint Lucia continues to see rising demand for employment in tourism, gaps in skills training and workforce readiness remain a challenge for employers.

Azeez called for work permit reforms as a short term strategy to bridge this gap. He stressed that targeted investments in technical and vocational education, as well as stronger linkages between training programs and industry needs, could significantly improve the situation over the long term.

In addition to raising these concerns during the meeting, the SLHTA formally submitted written recommendations to the Prime Minister on both issues. The association proposed short-term and long-term solutions for addressing water supply challenges and workforce development, urging policymakers to take decisive action in the upcoming budget cycle.

The meeting between the Prime Minister and private sector leaders underscored the importance of public-private collaboration in shaping economic policies that foster business sustainability and national development. The SLHTA remains committed to engaging with the government to find solutions that support the growth and resilience of Saint Lucia’s tourism sector.

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