Stakeholders from across the public and private sectors gathered on Tuesday for the validation session of Saint Lucia’s National Export Strategy (NES) 2025–2029, a key step in finalising the country’s roadmap for transforming its export economy into a resilient, diversified, and innovation-driven engine of sustainable development.
The revised strategy builds on the foundation laid by the NES 2020–2024 and reflects a comprehensive response to shifting global trade dynamics, national development priorities, and stakeholder input. It addresses the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, the impact of global supply chain disruptions, the rise of digital trade platforms, and the mounting urgency of climate resilience.
“This strategy is not just a document, it is a call to action,” said Sunita Daniel, Chief Executive Officer of Export Saint Lucia. “It reflects the aspirations of our people, the potential of our products and services, and the bold steps we are taking to future-proof Saint Lucia’s economy. With this strategy, we are opening new doors for our exporters, empowering innovation, and building the kind of resilience that small island states like ours urgently need.”
The NES 2025–2029 was shaped through an inclusive, collaborative process, ensuring that it reflects the voices and priorities of a wide cross-section of stakeholders. The strategy places resilience, innovation, competitiveness, and social inclusion at its core, acknowledging the realities of a more volatile and sustainability-conscious global market.
Tuesday’s session brought together representatives from key agencies including Invest Saint Lucia, the Customs and Excise Department, the Manufacturers Association, the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority, the Ministry of Health, Dept of innovation, WASCO, Central Statistics, and the Chamber of Commerce. Participants reviewed the draft strategy, aligned on shared goals, and offered final input to ensure the NES is actionable, measurable, and aligned with national priorities. Export Saint Lucia, the agency spearheading the process, will next move to finalize the document for official launch and implementation.
The strategy is expected to unlock new export markets, enhance value-added production, and strengthen the capabilities of local exporters to compete on a global scale.
“Saint Lucia is one step closer to charting a new course for export-led growth, one that is sustainable, inclusive, and built for the future,” Daniel declared.
