Government to focus on ease of doing business

Published on February 2, 2026

Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre has been speaking on the policies and plans that will guide the 2026/2027 budget to be presented within weeks.

Mr. Pierre says there will be heavy focus on the ease of doing business as government seeks to streamline processes promising “We want Saint Lucia to be a place where business facilitation is easier where business processes are simplified and where it is easier to set up a business”.

The Prime Minister was positive in his outlook when he addressed journalists on January 26th at his office, noting “The economy is growing. I predict growth again for the fifth consecutive time”.

Mr. Pierre explained that “We have not completed the numbers as yet, but I think based on the projections I’ve seen that we will be running some primary surpluses up to now”.

Mr. Pierre disclosed that “There are big expenses on health. We are in the process of commissioning St. Jude”.

He said a loan from Saudi Government will pay for capital works, but the government will increase recurrent expenditure allocating “Millions of dollars in terms of specialists, in terms of doctors, in terms of ancillary staff. We have major expenses on health this year.”

Mr. Pierre announced that government will have to streamline expenditure, stop wastage and ‘try our best to see if we can eliminate wastage and/or corruption”.

The Prime Minister noted “Our debt to GDP ratio is still manageable. We’re probably going to be ending the year at about 78% or 76%. I wished it could be a little lower but we need to have some major expenses for things that we have to do” such as work on the Hewanorra International Airport which will be starting this year. The funding is from SLASPA, but government has to guarantee that loan.

Mr. Pierre also revealed that work on the Gros Islet Highway from Volney’s gas station to Gros Islet will start this year, with finance from the Kuwaiti Fund.