The Chamber’s pledge to incorporate the need of all its members in its development and advocacy agenda over the last few years has led to the creation of program specifically designed to meet the needs of the Members located in the Southern parts of the island through the Southern Members program.

This program has enhanced the Chamber’s relationships with members located in the south, while enhancing relationships between members of that community. The Chamber notes that the Covid-19 era interrupted the delivery of services and hosting of planned particularly events included in the 2020 Chamber Southern Community event calendar.

Remaining focused on its objective of an increased presence in the south of the island, the Chamber has rekindled the conversation with members to ensure the comprehensive understanding of emerging issues and exploration of possible solutions.

On August 26th 2020, members met virtually and discussed the subject Engaging The South in the New Normal, to share best practices for business survival, and to identify appropriate actions to be taken to address concerns. Some of the concerns highlighted included clarification on availability on import duty and tariffs available for local businesses; limited supplies of certain inputs and products, the market’s reluctance to spend and the overall increased prices of goods.

The meeting acknowledged the priority areas of concern and relevant agencies to be engaged as the modified agenda for Members in the South. The Chamber will meet with members again in mid-October 2020 to provide members with an update on the way forward and an update on progress in helping to address issues raised.

No business should feel alone is such a crucial time. The Chamber's Membership Officer, Sumitra Jagroop-Leo emphasized that moving forward the Southern Business Community and Chamber Members operating in this part of the island is even more important, and reiterated its commitment to members, especially during this era.

As many national institutions and firms adapt to the new realities posed by the spread of the Covid-19 virus and play their role in limiting the spread, numerous changes have had to be introduced to how business is conducted. The National Insurance Corporation is no exception and the Chamber and its members met with the institution to discuss, a recently introduced innovation in how it pays short term benefits to claimants. All short-term benefit payments are now paid directly into the bank accounts of beneficiary.

The business community applauded the NIC for the move to greater use of digital technology in delivery of its services to the public and business community. The primary areas of discussion centered around the operational impact of this new approach and the need for information to be shared with employees on these and other NIC matters. In fact, the need for the NIC to engage in regular and continuous dialogue with key stakeholders, especially employers, was expressed by the Chamber Members. This point was reinforced by the reminder that it is employers who in fact pay fifty percent of contributions on behalf of employees. As such the NIC should see them as front and center in the dialogue and frame of reference of the NIC as it innovated and sought to improve its service delivery.

Secondly, the Chamber Members expressed their support for the NIC’s efforts at reviewing and amending the legislation which guided the institution, to permit it to respond to current challenges, changes and opportunities. The Chamber promised to lend its voice for Government to more expeditiously review and implement the reforms and amendments. The discussion also spoke to opportunities for amendments to current forms to permit provision of all necessary data.

The Chamber took the opportunity to point out that the practice of its member to pay staff full salary when on sick leave, allowing staff to refund the company on receipt of the NIC payment was instituted to help staff. This was because in many cases employees could not afford to be out of pocket while awaiting receipt of the NIC benefit payment. The Chamber members also acknowledged that the introduction of direct deposit of short-term benefits should go a long way in speeding up the receipt of the benefits by staff.

The NIC also agreed to review “a draft authorization to share information with employers” prepared by The Chamber. This was to ensure it met all NIC requirements to be honored. The Chamber agreed to make every effort to continue and call for regular discussions with this important institution as part of its engagement strategy and recorded its support for continued modernization of the NIC and its operations.

Members DRAFT -Authorisation letter from employee.docx

The issue of the continued State of Emergency which is set to expire in September has been debated for some time. Under the current state of emergency Government has continues to maintain a “curfew” i.e. from 12: am., to 5:00 a.m. A limit of gatherings of more than 200 persons, ability to restrict some business activity from operating as well as face mask in public and social distancing rules can be enforced.

There are the strong civil libertarians who are uncomfortable with the “power” this situation provides Government and other National Institutions. The SOE permits the abridging of ones’ civil liberties with little redress available and allowing institutions to act in ways that many would find unacceptable under normal circumstances. Some have gone on to argue, that “there is no state of emergency in St. Lucia.” Note is made of the successful containment of the Corona Virus and the move to reopen the country as evidence that the SOE does not exists and as such should be lifted.  Simultaneously others point out that the SOE limits peaceful gathering and the most important political rallies, demonstrations etc., including the normal electioneering which can take place.

The Chamber Secretariat did a little research to better understand some of the rationale being advanced by Government and found out the following:

The State of Emergency provides the Government and the Health Authorities with greater latitude to move quickly and act decisively in the case of any eventuality with an outbreak of COVID-19 and is thought to be very useful and even needed by the Health Authorities. Included among these are: closing off and quarantining parts of the island if need be, isolating persons and areas on short notice, as well as reinstating scale back of business and other activity if an outbreaks is detected.

The Cuban Medical Team was recruited to be in St. Lucia until September, 2020, the presence of the Cuban Medical Teams is facilitated by the State of Emergency but is not the sole and main reason for the State of Emergency. The nurses with the Cuban Medical Team have been registered by the Nursing Council however the Medical and Dental Council have not registered the doctors as they do not have the relevant paper work to permit the process. The Medical and Dental Practioners Act, apparently does not provide the Council with leeway to register doctors without the required paperwork. The paperwork was not submitted prior to or since arrival, and the process is also a long and drawn out process which the Council is not able to adjust. Further the Act, permits the Governor General to authorize the Doctors to work without the registration during a state of emergency. (Medical and Dental Practioners Act of 2013).

Some have suggested that the US Comfort who were accommodated, without registration, the Secretariat has been informed that the US Comfort doctors and nurses were registered through the normal process, the documents and applications were submitted well in advance and only those who were registered were permitted to practice during their visit.

The Office of the Chief Medical Officer has shared the concern that as the economy is opened up, with more liberty for people to move around the island, tourism set to recommence and more St. Lucians abroad to be repatriated, the risk of spread will rise and as such the Health Experts are of the there is good value in the use of the State of Emergency.  The view is a Health State of Emergency would not allow the flexibility and speed that may be required in the eventuality of a Covid-19 spread which the State of Emergency allows. The Health Emergency Act., requires a series of protocols and steps that may hinder a swift response.

Based on the foregoing it would appear that the Government’s decision to continue the State of Emergency was based on the advice from the Medical Authorities. The question whether the foregoing provides sufficient justification for the SOE. The additional component is whether the same could be achieved differently, i.e. monthly extensions.

From a practical perspective, at this time nearly all businesses are being allowed to operate, there remains restrictions on gatherings of 200 persons or more also on movement of persons during curfew hours, and face masks must be worn in public. The Chamber’s ongoing survey seeks to gauge members view on this matter.  

The reopening of the St. Lucia Tourist Industry is fraught with great misgivings as we seek to find a balance between maintaining a “Covid-19 free” country and the provision of livelihoods for thousands of St. Lucians who have been out of employment since the end of March, 2020.

The Chamber has applauded the Government and the Ministry of Health in particular for the manner in which they have guided our nation through the initial phase of the pandemic. We, meaning St. Lucia have been able to contain and restrict the spread of the virus on island and we have not suffered any deaths linked to the virus. From the early scale back of non-essential commercial and social activity, to the more widespread shutdown of the borders, to a gradual and phased opening, we have weathered the storm very well so far.

Now, as we come to where the rubber hits the road, how do we live with Covid-19? Some have argued that we should not open our borders to tourism, particularly the US. Some have argued that “we” do not need tourism, the local economy can carry “us”.  We are no doubt aware that a significant percentage of Chamber Members say they cannot continue to operate in a “zero” environment for more than five months.

We must recall the over 13000 St. Lucians laid off, one week after airlines stopped flying to St. Lucia. Some have been fortunate to receive some finance from the NIC. We need to place this in perspective, over 60% of working St. Lucians earn between $1000 and $1500 a month, the arithmetic is simple. Thus the need to examine how and if we can get the tourism sector started again. This discussion is required in a fair, rational and balanced manner.

The protocols initially advanced by the Government of St. Lucia placed public health and safety appeared to be paramount. In fact, the initial protocols, requiring travelers to show evidence of a negative Covid-19 test that had been taken 48 hours before the date of travel has been decried as excessively onerous and impractical. In fact the airlines industry has made known that they will not be interested in screening passengers prior to the passenger boarding the plane. And the market has generally rejected this.  

The Government of St. Lucia has amend this requirement to a negative test 7 days prior to travel, in addition to testing on arrival, along with temperature checks at arrival on the airports. Additionally protocols to limit the interaction between arriving visitors and locals have been established by limiting the number of vehicles permitted to transport guests as well as the number of locations (hotels) where guests can stay, all in an effort to limit the spread of the virus and make contact tracing easier.

The protocol established for enterprises; hotels, taxis, restaurants, tours etc., have been described as onerous and rigorous as well by both travel experts and the private sector players. Again, in the Chamber view reinforcing the perception that Health and Safety of the populace has been given priority in terms of how the reopened sector can operate. The requirements are so rigorous that complaints regarding the costs of meeting these measures abound, as well as arguments regarding the effectiveness of the measures in limiting spread to suggest that the standards, conditions and requirements set by the Government Authorities should be lowered.

The Saint Lucia Chamber of Commerce is impressed with the rigor of the protocols and the manner in which the health and safety of staff and other citizens have been taken account of and urges the industry players not to push back against the standards. Do not seek to have the standards lowered and increase the exposure of the populace to the spread of the virus. In fact, we believe that concern for the welfare of staff and the wider public is what is needed. We understand these will come at a cost. The industry players should support the Government and country as we seek to walk this fine line. The Industry should be seeking to surpass the standards set to protect the health and wellbeing of their staff and the wider populace ensuring that there is minimum spread. We also suggest that the sector review the existing health insurance plans which their staff have through them to ensure that they are sufficient in the current circumstances. In some industries persons are calling for hazard pay for workers who are on the front line.

The Government has also outlined a deliberate and strategic approach to expanding the number of players who will be able to offer accommodation services and the nature of activities that tourists will be permitted to engage in. The strategy sets out clearly, what events and eventualities, (quantitatively and qualitatively) trigger further opening up of the sector, as well as what causes a scale back or reversion to a more restrictive phase. Again, the profound and deliberate nature of this plan builds the confidence of the Chamber in the approach being promoted.

We also note the assertive work being done as far as preparing and expanding the capacity of our health sector to treat with any spread of the virus. We welcome the efforts to build on the primary health care system by the establishment of the respiratory clinics and conversion of VH to Respiratory Hospital. The presence of the Cuban Medical support team assumes even greater significance at this time.

The Chamber thus, notwithstanding its profound and genuine concern regarding the exposure of our citizens to the COVID-19 Virus when the borders are opened to tourism, supports the approach being advanced by Government on this matter. We urge government to remain vigilant. Continue to monitor international developments, (US) maintain and ensure the institution and practice of the highest level of protocols for operators who wish to participate in the industry, at the initial and other phases. It would also be important to consult with the various national institutions and keep the entire country informed of developments as we move along this difficult but necessary path.

As the business community seeks to restart their business operations, ever aware of the Covid-19 pandemic risks, concern for the welfare and safety of workers and customers dominates the consideration of every business. In recognition of this “new” reality, the St. Lucia Chamber of Commerce convened a symposium geared at providing members with information on scientifically tested and proven approaches to successfully mainstreaming health and safety considerations as they operate in the new post Covid-19 environment.

On June 18^th 2020, The Chamber hosted Webinar titled “Ensuring health and Safety in the New Workplace” which brought together firms from many different industry sectors to participate in an interactive and informative dialogue. Experts provided insight in three pertinent areas: (1) Cleaning and sanitization protocols, (2) Air quality protection (3) Utilizing service excellence to secure customer and employee health.

The subject of “cleaning and sanitization protocols” was led by  Lewis Industries who demonstrated practices which can reduce the risk of exposure to harmful micro-organisms, while H&L Environmental Services Ltd. addressed the subject of environmental controls for protection against air contaminants  in the workplace including providing a visual overview of biological contaminants such as the Flu and Covid-19 virus and how they spread.  The symposium concluded with a presentation and discussion led by Incognito on securing customers’ and employees’ health through service excellence.

Participants were provided with practical and useful information and tips on how they need to organize and prepare their businesses to mitigate the spread of Covid-19 and as such provide their employees and customers with the confidence that their operations were safe to both.

The symposium discussed and debated workable and practical options for safe operations which led to the raising of concerns regarding national systems to alert the public early if there was an outbreak as well as the availability of information on the appropriate response of business and the country in such a situation. This, they thought would be useful to prevent panic among citizens and unnecessary business and economic shutdown.

“Goods must move” is the motto of the St. Kitts & Nevis Customs and Excise Department, says Mr. Kennedy DaSilva, Comptroller of Customs and Excise in the twin Federation. This guiding principle was shared at the first Virtual Executive Luncheon of the Saint Lucia Chamber of Commerce attended by members and other invited guests, including Officers of the Ministry of Commerce and the Prime Minister’s Office, as well as invited guests from the private sector of the Commonwealth of Dominica.

The Luncheon hosted on Tuesday June 23^rd, 2020 used the Zoom platform thus ensuring social distancing. Participants ordered and consumed their Lunch at their convenience of choice dish and location. The presentation delivered by Mr. DaSilva was enlightening and informative both in the philosophy guiding the St. Kitts & Nevis Customs and Excise Department as well as in the practical manner in which they seek to ensure that the people of St. Kitts & Nevis and the business community benefit from, courteous customer focused quick and efficient service, while securing higher revenue intake for Government, high fines, more interdiction and lower prices for consumers.

From the manner in which they greet and treat passengers at the airport, to working closely with the numerous courier companies, using canine units, technology, constant training of staff, risk assessment, keeping customer service and ensuring a cordial working relationship with the private sector as key priorities. Mr. DaSilva shared the St. Kitts story and case study that left the participants realizing, “we can do this in St. Lucia”.  

The Caribbean Network of Chambers of Commerce, (CARICHAM) which both St. Lucia and St. Kitts Chamber are active participants in created this vehicle for sharing of best practice, which we hope will catalyze an appetite for improvement in the way import and exports are handled in St. Lucia and other islands. St. Kitts presents a different paradigm in how trade facilitation is made a reality and benefits the consumer and common man. Pointing out that the aim is to have cargo released an at business premises within 2 hours of being off loaded and that the processes utilized by Customs in St. Kitts seek to impact positively the common man and not just businesses.

Mr. Da Silva indicated that from his and experience of other countries the traditional confrontational approach of the typical Customs & Excise Departments did not work and the use of a primary declaration approach, using modern management practices, where voluntary compliance program similar to an authorized economic operator one, that relies on advanced information including passenger and goods, manifests use of the ASCYUDA World customs entry program, which facilitates risk assessment, and thus minimizes container inspection and delays in goods delivery.

The St. Lucia Chamber of Commerce has for years been part of the discussion with the St. Lucia Customs and Excise Department and other stakeholders on similar initiatives. While the Customs & Excise Department of St. Lucia were not able to join the luncheon, the recoding will be shared with the Department and it is hoped that this will provide some impetus for action to be taken in that regard. Of particular interest for the Chamber is the issue of using the information from ASCYUDA World to identify the largest importers and conducting some risk profile and using that to reduce the extent of examination of containers and increasing the quantity of containers examined when needed during normal working hours.

This was the topic of the first Virtual Encounter, as the Chamber continue to engage with the Public Sector on issues of interest to members. In an effort to better understand the issues surrounding the Governments' approach to this most sensitive subject the St. Lucia Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture on 28th May, 2020 via the Zoom platform held this Encounter discussing the opening of the country to international travel and tourism.

The Panel included the Chief Medical Officer Dr. Sharon Belmar-George, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, Ms. Donalyn Vittet and the CEO of the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority Mrs. Beverly Nicholson-Doty. Some 55 members joined the Encounter where the speakers explained the approach taken, the strict protocols to be employed as well as the requirements for visitors to be permitted to enter the country.

An issue which was put front and center was the need for visitors to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than 48 hours prior to travel, while all returning nationals will be required to enter and remain in a government quarantine facility for 14 days.

New strict licensing requirements for hotels were also revealed that would allow them to manage guests and help restrict spread to the communities and workers were also discussed.

Chamber members were concerned about the spread of the disease to the local populace and the issue of visitors from the United States where it appears the virus had not been contained were raised, as well as concerns of the cross contamination that could occur between the visitors, workers in the industry and the school children who would be now back on public buses going to school.

The St. Lucia Tourism Authority pointed out the continued interest of tourists in St. Lucia as a high priced and valued destination and indicated that they were confident that visitors and the airline industry would move to meeting the standards set.  

The Chamber members generally felt that the protocols established were rigorous and understood the rational for the phased opening of the industry. There was a sense that the standards while high and protecting of the St. Lucia public would be seen as prohibitive by visitors, primarily because the COVID-19 tests were not readily available in the United States, the main source market.  

The Chamber intends to conduct more analysis and review of the issue as well as to continue consulting with the industry before rendering a specific set of comments on the Governments' plan. The Chamber was not part of any dialogue on the policy or plans, and was through this Encounter, seeking clarification and information which could help it understand the issues. The Chamber remains interested in the opening of the economy including tourism activity especially in light of the importance of the sector for employment and incomes to the people of St. Lucia as well as business linkages the sector provides. Therefore the Chamber is keen to find a way to balance the interest of economic activity with the crucial health and safety of St. Lucians.  

The Chamber held discussions with the Customs & Exise Department on the subject of revising the current "Container Examination Fee", which is assessed on importers who need to have their containers examined after working hours. The Customs Regulations (rev, 2008 140(3) (a) (b)) indicates that the standard examination fee is $125.00 to be paid if Customs decides to examine a twenty (20ft) foot container and $225 .00 for the examination of a forty (40ft) foot container, outside the normal working hours.

Initial discussions reveal that the Customs & Exise Department are of the view that the current fee have been in existence for a long time, the actual cost of overtime has now surpassed the current fee and Government is now subsidizing this service. 

The Chamber Members were cautious about the proposal to increase the costs of doing business to companies and ultimately consumers at this difficult time. Moreover there were many longstanding and unresolved issues regarding efficiency and productivity improvements that have not been attended to. The Chamber suggested that a comprehensive look be taken at this time rather than the proposed piecemeal approach. 

The Chamber pointed out that any increase in cost would be felt by consumers as this would be passed on. If however these increased costs were accompanied by productivity and efficiency gains this would be a "win-win" for Customs Officers, Government of St. Lucia, the Business Community and Consumers. 

The Department noted that at this time when Government Revenue had declined due to COVID-19 Pandemic effects, GOSL should not be burdened with a huge overtime bill from the Customs Department. The Chamber in turn cautioned that at the current time when so many persons had been laid off and receiving only a small portion of their regular income through the National Social Stabilization program an increase in costs will impact consumers greatly.

The Department was also reminded that businesses were also experiencing reductions in sales volume and profits and as such they could ill afford increased costs. Moreover it was not mentioned that at this time; the volume of imports were down drastically, thus Customs Officers were not as busy as they usually were. This fact suggests that there should be less need for overtime if the Department was minded to approach the issue differently. With fewer containers being imported, there should be less need for containers to be examined after  work hours. Moreover since the Staff were not as busy as they generally are, the option of establishing more than one examination team, and scheduling work in shifts could result in a better outcome for customers and consumers.  

The Chamber also strongly recommends that the Customs and Excise Department, institute the full suite of modules of ACYUDA World which has the capacity to bring efficiency gains to the import/export process, increase the use of electronic and digital entries and document submission, activate the long promised "authorized economic operator, the use of the green line and the risk analysis procedures that would first lessen the need for examination of containers generally, and this for that to be carried out outside working hours.

The Customs Department was able to advise the business community of their own efforts already in transition, where during the COVID-19 period very few containers have been examined, a full container examination unit has been subject to examinations, and there are plans to expand the Examination Unit by reassigning Officers to this function.

Added to these efforts the Customs Department informed the private sector of a number  of supporting recommendations that include an elimination of the processing fee, upgrading the ASCYUDA Program and a reexamination of other programs may lessen the number of containers examined and increase the efficiency of operations at the ports.

It was noted that the Customs & Excise Department seeks to advance this proposal quickly. The Chamber members remains doubtful of increased costs without commensurate attention being paid to efficiency and use of available technology in that respect. The Chamber however agreed to work with the Department as they promised to revive the Authorized Economic Operator Program and encourage their members to work honestly and diligently with the Customs Authorities in following the laws and rules.

Meanwhile the Chamber will continue to seek ways to make the efforts at improved trade and business facilitation a reality at the Ports in keeping with the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement and through the National Ease of Doing Business Task Force. Additionally the Chamber will seek to inform itself and the wider community of best practices and ways in which the entire import export process can be streamlined.