2020/2021 Saint Lucia Budget Presentation

2020/2021
BUDGET PRESENTATION
NEW CHALLENGES:
NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR BUILDING
A STRONGER SAINT LUCIA
TOGETHER
Presentation by:
Prime Minister Hon. Allen M. Chastanet

WISHING ALL PUBLIC WORKERS
HAPPY PUBLIC
SERVICE DAY!
Budget Presentation 2020/2021

2020/2021 BUDGET THEME
"NEW CHALLENGES, NEW OPPORTUNITIES
FOR BUILDING A STRONGER SAINT LUCIA,
TOGETHER"
2020/2021 Budget Presentation

International
Context &
Performance
Global Economy grew
by 2.9% in 2019.
This has been the
slowest since the Global
Financial Crisis.
Global Economic
Growth in 2018 was
3.6%

Regional Economic
Performance
The CARICOM region experienced growth
due to strong performances in tourism and
construction.
The Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU) grew by
3.3% in 2019 down from 3.9% in 2018
Regional International reserves grew to US $1.8 Billion
The EC dollar remained strong with a backing ratio of
99.1% at the end of 2019 compared to 98.3% at the end
of 2018

1.7%
Saint Lucia's Economy
grew by
IN 2019

Domestic
Performance
The Year 2019 in Review
Stayover
arrivals grew by
7.3% in 2019
Tourism Sector
arrivals grew by
3.4%. A new
record of
1.3 Million visitors
Tourist
expenditure
grew by 11.2%
to $2.6 Billion

Domestic
Performance
The Year 2019 in Review
Yacht arrivals
grew by 4.6%
Cruise arrivals
grew by 3.5%
Manufacturing
output grew by
6.1%

34.5%
INCREASE IN PUBLIC SECTOR
INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT
16.8%
UNEMPLOYMENT
DECLINED IN 2019
31.6%
YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT
DECLINED IN 2019
0.5%
CONSUMER PRICE
INFLATION IN 2019

GLOBAL
ECONOMY
Expected to Decline by
5.2% in 2020
UNITED
STATES
5.9% in 2020
UNITED
KINGDOM
6.5% in 2020
Global Economic Outlook
For 2020/2021: 5.8% Growth Expected in 2021

2016-2020
GOVERNMENT OF
SAINT LUCIA'S ACHIEVEMENTS
SETTING CONDITIONS FOR TAKE OFF
CREATING SUSTAINABLE EMPLOYMENT UTILIZING 8 SPECIFIC STRATEGIES IN
AGRICULTURE, TOURISM & INFRASTRUCTURE
SETTING CONDITIONS FOR TAKE OFF

TOURISM
PERFORMANCE
2016-2020
1,758 New Jobs Created
571 New Rooms from Villas
118 New rooms added from
Hotel expansions
ACCOMMODATION SECTOR
Increased from 345,000 in
2015 to 423,700 in 2019
STAY OVER ARRIVALS
Increased from 677,000 in
2015 to 786,000 in 2019
CRUISE ARRIVALS

EC $2.1 BILLION IN 2015
TO
EC $2.6 BILLION IN 2019
STAYOVER TOURISM EXPENDITURE
INCREASED FROM
A 29% INCREASE

141 acres of Banana farms in
Dennery leased to 27 farmers
creating 189 direct jobs
BANANA RESUSCITATION
50 acres of land rehabilitated
giving 100% increase
BANANA PRODUCTIVITY
IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
AGRICULTURE
PERFORMANCE
2016-2020
Export revenue from bananas
has averaged $13.7 Million a
year. An average of 19.9 tonnes
of bananas exported
BANANA EXPORTS

AGRICULTURAL TRANSFORMATION PROJECT
4 Facilitaties rehabilitated to facilitate more Agro-Processing
Fond Assau Agro-Processing Facility
La Caye Honey Producers Facility
Anse Ger Agro Processing Facility
Anse Ger Cocoa Processing Facility

Youth-Agri Enterprise
Facilitation Programme
78 young people have been trained so far under
this programme. All are currently involved in a
range of agricultural enterprises including egg
and broiler production and agro-processing.
Feeder Roads Programme
Farm roads repaired under BAM in Micoud,
Dennery, Vieux Fort and Soufriere.

This facility will have laboratories to
study various plant and animal
diseases and pests that affect
Agricultural output, product
development and a metrology
NATIONAL
DIAGNOSTIC FACILITY
$11 Million

Agricultural Support
Rehabilitation of farm
community
infrastructure such as
drainage and irrigation
BANANA
ACCOMPANYING
MEASURES
A wind barrier system
to minimize the impact
of storms along with
wind resilient bananas
from Taiwan
WIND BARRIER
SYSTEM FOR
FARMS
277 farmers covered
with income support in
the event a natural
disaster destroying
their crop or farm
LIVELIHOOD
PROTECTION
POLICY

Road Infrastructure
Development
Over EC$100 Million spent in last 4 Years
COMPLETED
Choc Highway lane
expansion
Cas en Bas Road
Forestierre Road
Ti Morne Road
IN PROGRESS
Fond Manger Road
Spring Road
Blanchard Road
Saltibus Road
New Development Roads
La Retraite Road & Bridge
UPCOMING
By the end of 2020,
50 kilometres of
secondary road will be
rehabilitated

Hewanorra
International
Airport
Work in Progress
When completed the people of Saint Lucia
will own, manage and control a world-class
facility

Castries
Redevelopment
Programme
Phase 1 : Completed
The next phase includes the construction of
cosmetic shops, eateries, cafes and pubs.
Total cost of project is $32 Million EC

Re-engineering
Social Services
Sector
Child Protection &
Social Safety Nets
Child Care Act & Child Justice
Act
Child Maintenance, Domestic
Violence and Status of
Children legislation all under
review
Subvention of $242,000 for
the Vieux Fort Children's
Society
Increase in beneficiaries of
the Public Assistance
Programme & Child Disability
Grant

Youth
Development
The Empowerment of our
Nation's Youth
Formulation of a National Youth
Policy
Reduced Youth Unemployment
from 38% in 2016 to 31% in 2019
National Apprenticeship
Programme has trained 600
young people & matched over 300
with jobs at Ojo Labs with
hundreds more finding
employment in the hospitality
sector
Youth Empowerment through
agriculture & business

Healthcare
Completion of the Full
Transition to OKEU Hospital
The move from Victoria Hospital to OKEU
Hospital has significantly strengthen tertiary
healthcare in Saint Lucia

Healthcare
Construction of the New
St.Jude Hospital
Work on the structural frame of the facility is
nearing completion and currently employs
approximately 400 workers

SMART HEALTH FACILITIES
Upgrading of 13 Health facilities & 2 Non-Health
Monchy Wellness Centre
Vieux Fort
Laborie
Belle Vue
Ti Rocher, Castries
Entrepot
Richfond
Bexon
La Fargue
Saltibus
Mongouge
Desruisseaux
Mon Repos
Comfort Bay
SUPPORTED BY THE UNITED KINGDOM DEPARTMENT
FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT & PAHO

EDUCATION
The formulation and ratification of the ICT-
Education Policy.
Increased bandwidth in schools through the
GINET and CARCIP projects in collaboration with
the Republic of China (Taiwan) and Digicel.
Upgrading and retrofitting of technical drawing
labs at 13 secondary schools
Development of a Digital Literacy Curriculum
Introduction of aspects of coding and robotics in
schools with the assistance of USAID.
Improving the system to make it more
responsive to the needs of the modern
labour market and the infusion of ICT in
Education
Since 2016, we have spent $30 Million on the
rehabiliation of schools across the island

Legislation is being drafted to facilitate the transition of the DCA
to an independent agency. Preparations for the transition of DCA
as well as the policy framework for land use and development
will both be completed during the 2020/2021 fiscal year.
CREATING A MODERN DEVELOPMENT
CONTROL AUTHORITY

Under the OECS Regional Tourism Development Project, work
has started on the digitization and indexing of Saint Lucia’s land
registry to improve access to land documents and reduce the
time needed to register documents in the Registry.
THE LAND REGISTRY

Arts, Culture
and the
Creative
Industries
Achievements
Recommissioning of Saint
Lucia’s Cultural Map
Establishment of the Goodwill
and Brand Ambassador
Programme
Support for the development
of the Music Industry
Access to the Small Grants
Programme
Facilitation of Export Market
Opportunities
Amendment of the Fiscal
Incentives Act to provide for
priority service sectors
including the Creative industry

Improving Security
& Justice
Target of 15% Reduction in Crime in
2020
In 2019 the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force
achieved a 2.9 percent when compared to 2018
Improving citizen safety commenced with the
Safe City CCTV strategy
More targeted patrols in collaboration with the
City Police
License plate recognition Smart CCTV system
Rehabilitation of the Forensic Lab
Recruitment of more police officers and
appointment of DPP

Police
Headquarters &
Court Facilities
110,000sq.ft facility built at
the site of the Old Prison on
Bridge Street, Castries
Project cost US$33 Million

Building
Capacity in
Renewable
Energy
Endorsement of the National
Energy Transition Strategy
(NETS)
Solar PV Systems installed at
SALCC, National Sports
Academy, OKEU Hospital
LUCELEC has comissioned a 3
megawatt solar farm in Vieux
Fort and is preparing to
commence a 10 megawatt
solar farm in Micoud
Training of 50 professionals in
Leader in Energy &
Environment Design (LEED)
Funding for Geothermal
Energy exploration in Soufriere
has been confirmed

Adapting to
Climate
Change
Gained support from the
Climate Action
Enhancement Package
(CAEP)
Climate Finance Strategy
to be submitted to
Cabinet shortly
Secured US$10 Million for
Adaptation to Climate
Change and Climate
Variability in Agriculture in
Saint Lucia

Achievements
in Sports
Installed Lights in Choiseul,
Canaries, Fond Assau,
Dennery, La Clery, Grace
Vieux Fort
Upgraded Playing Fields in
Canaries, Jacmel, Balata, La
Clery
Upgrading of Soufriere Mini
Stadium, Desruisseaux,
Dennery & Micoud Playing
Fields in progress
Government support to
complete the Boxing Gym in
Vigie
Investment in the Elite
Athletes Programme

Achievements
in Sports
Upgrading of Saab Playing
Field and Vigie Sports
Complex as a major sporting
hub
Established the National
Sports Academy in Gros Islet
Increased the complement
of coaches to 27
Upgrading of Forestierre
Playing Field in progress

RESPONDING TO THE
COVID-19
ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL
IMPACT

3-4%
ECONOMIC GROWTH
WAS PROJECTED
59.6%
DECLINE IN DEBT TO
GDP RATIO
2020/2021 PROJECTIONS PRIOR
TO COVID-19

Saint Lucia's
COVID-19 Response
MEDICAL SUPPORT
110 doctors and nurses from
Cuba are on island assisting
with the battle against
COVID-19
HOSPITALS
Opened OKEU Hospital,
converting VH into a
dedicated Respiratory
Hospital
CLINICS
Setup 5 Respiratory clinics
around the island and 3
hotels used a Quarantine
facilities

COVID-19 Social
Stabilization Plan
INCOME SUPPORT
Provision of income support
to both contributors and
non-contributors to NIC
affected by COVID-19
RELIEF SUPPORT
Distribution of 10,500 food
and supply care packages to
the most vulnerable across
the island
HOT MEALS
Over 2,500 vulnerable
households benefit from hot
meals delivered to them on a
weekly basis

Economic Recovery & Resilience Plan
BUILDING
RESILIENCE OF
PRODUCTIVE
SECTORS
BUILDING HEALTH
RESILIENCE
MITIGATING
DISASTER RISK
AND CLIMATE
CHANGE
STIMULATING THE
ECONOMY
FAST TRACKING
CAPITAL PROJECTS
STRENGTHEN SOCIAL
PROTECTION

STIMULATING THE ECONOMY
Small Business Support
Loan/Grant assistance ranging from
$5,000-$25,000 for as many as 1,500
enterprises
Property Tax Waiver
A 50% Commercial property tax
waiver for the period 2019-2020 for
landlords who extend moratoriums
to tenants
Low Cost Financing
$5 Million allocated to assist Micro &
Small enterprises with Working
capital
Tax Deduction
A tax deduction of 20% of monthly
rental income to landlords for a
period of 6 months

STIMULATING THE ECONOMY
Waiver of Taxes on
Interest Earnings
EC $3.5 Million allocated for this
commencing July 2020 for 3 years
Subsidy on Bulk Flour
Increase in the subsidy on bulk flour
to bakers from $12 to $17 per bag
from July to December 2020
Micro Business Support
Provision of $500,000 to BELFUND to
assist skilled workers with starting a
business
Food Security & Hygiene
$7.96 Million allocated to stimulate
agriculture production and demand.
Waiver of duties on imported personal
hygiene products until December 2020.

FAST TRACKING SHOVEL READY
PROJECTS
Public Sector
Construction
Proceed with the construction of
Hewanorra International Airport
St Jude Hospital
VH Respiratory Hospital
West Coast Road Rehabilitation
Vieux Fort Water Supply
Improvement
Micoud Secondary School
Rehabilitation of Community Centres
The creation of 1,500-2,000 jobs
Private Sector
Construction
Stimulate private sector
construction by offering housing
developers import duty waivers on
building materials and fixtures to
encourage home ownership and
stimulate economic activity

STRENGTHEN SOCIAL PROTECTION
Reduction in Electricity
Fuel Surcharge
The fuel surcharge of $1.00 will be
reduced to $0.50 for a 6 month period
Child Disability Grant
Increase Child Disability Grant from
$200 to $300
Expansion of Public
Assistance
Expansion of the Public Assistance Cash
Transfer Programme from 2,600 to
3,600 persons
Persons living with HIV
Increase this grant from $100 to $200

STRENGTHEN SOCIAL PROTECTION
Children in Foster Care
Increase this grant from $200 to $300
COVID-19 Hygiene Care
Provision of COVID-19 hygiene care
packages to the poor and vulnerable
Micro Finance Loans
Provide micro finance loans to
households looking to start up micro
and cottage businesses
Small Projects
Implement small infrastructure projects
in rural communities

FOR ESSENTIAL SERVICES WORKERS
INCLUDING DOCTORS, NURSES, POLICE &
FIRE OFFICERS EMPLOYED FOR MORE
THAN 5 YEARS IN THE PUBLIC SERVICE
DUTY FREE
VEHICLES

Doubling of efforts to promote "Buy
Local" to stimulate the purchase of
Saint Lucian goods and services
BUY LOCAL
CAMPAIGN

Pursuing Development over
the Medium Term
In the context of the COVID-19 Reality
SAINT LUCIA'S MEDIUM TERM DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY

TOURISM: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Village Tourism
Transform Gros Islet, Anse la Raye and
Soufriere in Phase 1 to allow for more
Saint Lucians to directly benefit from
Tourism in their communities
Tourism Investment
Improve Tourism investment
facilitation to reduce processing time
for tourism related projects
Enhance Tourism Product
Rejuvenate iconic sites and reduce
processing time at Ferry terminals
Improve Tourism Revenue
Target an increase tourism daily spend of
US$158 per day by 2023 therefore increasing
Tourism's contribution to GDP by
EC $1.8 Billion

TOURISM: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Increase Tourism Capacity
Increase airlift capacity and hotel room stock to improve Saint Lucia's
international competitveness
Restructure Institutional Support
Ministry of Tourism to focus on administration, policy, licensing, incentives and
management of special projects.
Tourism Council responsible for advocacy, research, product development and
standards

FOR TAXI DRIVERS AND MINI BUS DRIVERS
FOR THE NEXT 2 YEARS
100%DUTY FREE
CONCESSIONS ON
VEHICLES

CABOT LINKS
LUXURY
DEVELOPMENT
SOULEY KOUCHE
RESTAURANT IN
CHOISEUL
ANSE DE SABLES
DEVELOPMENT
PROJECT
Private Sector Tourism Investments
COURTYARD
MARRIOT AT POINTE
SERAPHINE
PEARL OF THE
CARIBBEAN:
HOSPITALITY UNIVERSITY
CANELLES RESORT
IN MICOUD

Agriculture
Sector
Expand production
capacity of meats and
poultry
Establish an
Agricultural Station
for livestock in
Micoud
Build a Meat
processing facility
in La Caye,
Dennery
Work to eradicate
the Tropical Bon
Tick

Expand Food
Production
Focus on 7 Key Crops
The goal is to reduce these imports by
60% and to become self sufficient by
2023

Bananas
Establish new markets with the french for
Saint Lucian bananas
Cocoa
Secure new market for export of cocoa beans
and increase acreage of banana and cocoa
trees
Increase Exports

INFRASTRUCTURE
IMPROVEMENT
This project is financed with grant funds from the
UK Caribbean Infrastructural Fund.
MILLENNIUM HIGHWAY &
WEST COAST ROAD
New access road to the town of Vieux Fort to be
constructed parallel to the airport runway
NEW ROAD FOR VIEUX FORT TOWN
Construction expected to commence in
July/August of 2020 with funding support from
Japan
CUL D SAC BRIDGE

WATER SECURITY
John Compton
Dam Site Protection
Focuses on reforestation and
stabilization of 60 hectres of land in
year 1 and 98 hectres in year 2
Dennery North Water
Project
Expansion of the water treatment plant from
0.4 million gallons a day to 1.4 million gallons
a day
John Compton
Dam Desilting
Removal of approximately 1.7 million
cubic metres of silt which has settled
in the dam
Vieux Fort Water Project
Upgrading of the Grace and Beausejour
Water treatment plants to improve water
supply in the south

Castries Redevelopment
Project
Making Saint Lucia's Capital a vibrant, resilient
and smart heritage city for residents & visitors
Making Castries more vibrant with more night life
Improving the state of housing
Increase the city's resilience against flooding & rising
sea levels
Making the city smarter through the use of digital
technologies
Minimizing congestion in the city
Relocation of Cargo port to Cul de Sac

Vieux Fort
Cruise Port
MOU Signed with Royal
Caribbean & Carnival Cruise
Lines
In advanced discussions with Investor

A census of the private sector will be
undertaken this year to better understand its
needs so that new and more effective policies
could be crafted to boost output.
MANUFACTURING
SECTOR

Saint Lucia has made amendments to the Companies Act; the
International Business Companies Act; the International Trust
Act and; the International Partnership Act to remain
compliant with the standard on providing information
on beneficial ownership of companies.
FINANCIAL SERVICES

Private Sector Investment
Pearl of the Caribbean I.A.M Jet Centre St Lucia
Caribbean Quality Meats LtdKM2 Solutions
itelBPO

CiTIZENSHIP BY INVESTMENT
HAS BROUGHT IN
FROM 2016
EC$131.2 MILLION

EXPANSION OF THE AFTER SCHOOL
PROGRAMME NOW BENEFITS
IN 25 COMMUNITIES
450 MORE
CHILDREN

HEALTHCARE FINANCING
WORLD BANK PROVIDING ASSISTANCE
NATIONAL HEALTH
INSURANCE

HEALTHCARE PRIORITIES
Public Health
Preparedness
Put in place science based policies,
programmes and infrastructure to
identify and control outbreaks
Upgrade of Health Sector
Infrastructure
An additional 15 Health centres to be
rehabilitated and construction of the Micoud
and Anse la Raye Wellness Centres and the
Dennery Polyclinic
Health Systems
Strengthening
Improvement of health facilities and
improve access and quality of healthcare
delivered to all Saint Lucians
Focus on Chronic Non
Communicable Diseases
Implementation of OECS Diabetic
Guidelines and provision of subsidized
testing strips. Launch PAHO funded
HEARTS Programme

EDUCATION
Skills Pathways
Strengthen TVET Programmes,
Establish a Centre for Excellence in Arts
& Culture and continue to develop the
National Sports Academy
Early Childhood
3 new centres to be built in Monchy, Jacmel
and Micoud
Academic Pathways
Improve course offerings at SALCC,
diversify education delivery modes and
strengthen SALCC's student learning
support centre
Education Quality
Improvement Project
12 teachers awarded scholarships to study
areas of Special Education

Education Realignment &
Transformation
Construction of New Micoud Secondary School
Construction of New Special Needs Education Facilities to
replace Dunnottar and Vieux Fort
Rehabilitation and Expansion works at Sir Arthur Lewis
Community College (SALCC)
Expansion and rehabilitation of Special Education Needs
Schools
Expansion and rehabilitation of Early Childhood
Development Centres
Upgrade TVET labs a 9 secondary schools
Upgrade Entrepot Secondary and Soufriere Comprehensive
Improve schools access for disabled students and improve
security

“Enhancing the Labour Force through
Education, Training and Workforce
Development”.
TVET POLICY & STRATEGY APPROVED BY
CABINET IN 2019
TECHNICAL VOCATIONAL
TRAINING & SECOND
CHANCE PROGRAMMES

HOUSING DEVELOPMENT
Settlement Upgrade
Project (SUP)
In this financial year 2,368 metres
of road, 3443 metres of drains,2,198
metres of footpaths and 5,828
metres of water will be upgraded
in Bexon, Sarrot and La Ressource
directly benefiting 269 households
PROUD III
650 new lots created in Aux Lyons,
Bruceville, Cantonement, Aupicon,
Pomme (Augier) and Rockhall
$1.948 Million has been allocated for
this project.

SPORTS
Building a Healthier &
Stronger Saint Lucia
Completion of the upgrading of Sports
facilities in Micoud, Desruisseaux, Soufriere,
Dennery and the National Sports Academy

No member of our society should be left by the wayside or be made to feel that their
life or contribution does not matter. We must help them to move from feeling
marginalized to being active and capable citizens who can impact their destiny as well
as that of their family, community and country.
EMPOWERMENT OF PEOPLE

CITIZEN SECURITY
Enhancement of Crime Detection and patrol system
Strengthening of community involvement in crime
fighting
The improvement of investigation and prosecution
backlogs
The enhancement of adult and juvenile rehabilitation
programmes
The installation of CCTV cameras in 56 locations
Further improvement of Police communication system
A dedicated taskforce to address theft related crimes
Establishment of a Border Control Agency

ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE
Appointment of 1 additional judge and added support
for 3 judges
Hire 2 additional Crown Counsels in the Office of DPP
Reduce case backlogs
The Probations and Parole Unit is now operational with
4 parole officers
Forensic Lab seeking ISO certification by 2021

Youth Empowerment Project
This project focuses on reducing risk factors that trigger
anti-social behavior at the individual, family, community
and societal levels
Project being piloted in Castries Central: Barnard Hill,
Conway, New Village and Wilton's Yard
The programme includes: Integrated Youth Court
Diversion, Integrated Community Based Transformation
and Community Based Policing Initiatives

Social Protection
Disability Assessment Project: Will assist with
mainstreaming support for persons with disabilities: In
Progress
Human Capital Resilience
Project
Enhance targeting to identify eligible individuals for
Social Support
Expand Social Safety nets
Develop a Social Information System

Arts & Culture
DEVELOP A
COMPREHENSIVE NATIONAL
CULTURAL POLICY AND
ACTION PLAN

Land Development
600 New land owners targeted by 2021. Locations
include Micoud, Dennery and Choiseul
Land Rationalization
800 persons in the communities of Grace, Pierrot,
Lumiere, La Pelle, Despinoze, Grand Ravine and La
Ressource to benefit

Ensure that the nation's debt is sustainable as
indicated by performance indicators
DEBT MANAGEMENT
STRATEGY

Recurrent Revenue: $1.019 Billion
Tax Revenue: $924.92 Million
Non Tax Revenue: $94.59 Million
FINANCING THE BUDGET
Capital Revenue: $10.82 Million
Grants: $106.98 Million

Government Debt Instruments
Treasury Bills: $267.12 Million
FINANCING THE BUDGET
Capital Revenue: $10.82 Million
Grants: $106.98 Million

WE ARE ALL IN AS WE BUILD A
STRONGER SAINT LUCIA TOGETHER

2020/2021 Saint Lucia Budget Presentation

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2020/2021 Saint Lucia Budget Presentation