Project Overview
OVERVIEW
The Government of St Lucia (GOSL) is implementing programmes aimed at the diversification and expansion of the export of goods and services, economic diversification, and alleviation of poverty. Export development is directly linked to achieving goals related to employment creation, including for the youth and disadvantaged groups; economic growth; and managing the country’s trade deficit.
The significant decline in the production and export of bananas due to loss of export markets and extreme weather events; and recent successes in identifying new export markets for St. Lucia’s premium rum and some food products - both highlight the importance of:
• diversification and reducing the country’s reliance on a limited number of products and markets.
• collaboration between GOSL and the local private sector towards increasing the export-readiness and competitiveness of enterprises, including SMEs.
• establishing an ecosystem of actors, relationships, legislation, and infrastructure that supports the building of competitiveness and export readiness.
St Lucia’s National Export Development Strategy (NEDS) 2004-2009 recommended that the overall responsibility for coordinating the implementation of the NEDS should rest with a specific entity. The project supports the establishment of National Trade and Export Promotion Agency (TEPA) to undertake the above functions. The project contributes to the cost of resourcing TEPA – rental of office space, human resources, equipment, design of operating systems, and installation of governance structures. TEPA will:
• Serve as a focal point for exports through advocacy, information dissemination and public education.
• Undertake policy coordination for export development.
• Coordinate the strengthening of the ecosystem required to support St Lucia’s export diversification and expansion goals.
• Assume overall responsibility for the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the NEDS.
• Carry out the function of export promotion/marketing at the national level.
