Reasons to invest:

1.STRATEGIC GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION

Located in the Eastern Caribbean, Saint Lucia not only enjoys relative proximity to both the regional and near shore markets of North America, South America, and CARICOM member states, but is also only a short 8-hour flight to Europe.

2.FREE AND STABLE ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL CLIMATE

Saint Lucia has been consistent as one of the freest economies in the Caribbean, ranking second place with an index of 70% in the 2016 Economic Freedom Index. Politically speaking, the island is considered “free” according to the 2015 Freedom House report, which also highlighted constitutional guarantees regarding freedom of speech, assembly and association.

3.MODERN AND RELIABLE INFRASTRUCTURE AND ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY

Saint Lucia has an efficient telecommunications system, reliable electricity and a stable water supply that is also affordable. Moreover, with modern air and sea port facilities, Saint Lucia’s interconnected structural elements provide a supportive framework for many investment opportunities.

There are also active initiatives towards attaining a 35% renewable energy (geothermal, solar, wind and waste to energy) solution by 2020.

4.STRONG HISTORY OF ATTRACTING AND PROTECTING INVESTMENTS

Over the years, Saint Lucia has attracted a number of regional and international brands across the various economic sectors. Through their continued success and re-expansion, as well as the presence of a Commercial Court, the business climate augers well for the protection of investments.

5.FREE ACCESS TO OECS LABOUR POOL OF 300,000 

Saint Lucia possesses a vibrant, dynamic, English speaking labour force that can be easily trained to meet the employment needs of businesses. This is supported by an additional 300, 000 OECS labour pool that can move freely within the OECS region as a result of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Economic Union arrangements.

6.EFFICIENT REGULATORY ENVIRONMENT

Saint Lucia has comparative advantages in the areas of regulation, starting a business, market access, incentives, transport infrastructure and quality of life. A number of initiatives are underway to make Saint Lucia more efficient and competitive including: 

• The recent adoption of a formal Public-Private Partnership (PPP) policy that offers alternative financing; 
• Harmonization of ICT Policies, Legislation and Regulatory Procedure (HIPCAR), the National E-Commerce Policy and the Caribbean Regional Communication Infrastructure Program (CARCIP); 
• An integrated Electronic Health Database; a national database of patients which can facilitate research work; 
• Introduction of a Clinical Trials Act to support medical research.

7.RICH BIODIVERSITY

Saint Lucia has an abundance of bio-diversity related resources that are used in a variety of ways including in traditional and herbal medicines. The Government of Saint Lucia has recognized the contribution of its indigenous plant and animal species to human, social and economic development and therefore encourages investment in that area including in the development of homeopathic applications and nutraceutical products.

8.PROTECTION OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND PATENTS

Through the Registrar of Companies and Intellectual Properties, investors are facilitated through business establishment as well as the protection of intellectual property and patents.

9.LOCATION OF THE FUTURE (SITE SELECTION MAGAZINE JULY 2015)

US-based SITE SELECTION MAGAZINE in July 2015 identified Saint Lucia as one of the countries outside the United States, where companies will locate within the next five to ten years from now. The Magazine cited a population with a burgeoning middle class; political and economic stability; an industrious, well-educated workforce; and quality foundational infrastructure as some of the considerations for investing in Saint Lucia over other islands.

10.CARIBBEAN COUNTRY OF THE FUTURE AND ISLAND ECONOMIES OF THE FUTURE

Saint Lucia in July 2015 was regarded by FDI MAGAZINE as one of the successful investment locations within the Caribbean and Central America. The island was ranked as one of the winners of fDi Magazine’s Caribbean and Central American Countries of the Future for 2015/16 for FDI Strategy and Cost Effectiveness of Doing Business. In 2017, Saint Lucia was also ranked in the top ten Island Economies of the Future Survey for Business Friendliness and Economic Potential, by the same magazine.

11.CITIZENSHIP BY INVESTMENT PROGRAMME SAINT LUCIA’S CITIZENSHIP BY INVESTMENT PROGRAMME, established in January 2016 is a new framework under which Saint Lucian citizenship can be obtained following a quantum of investment in one of four (4) of programs. A number of real estate ventures have thus far been announced under this program.

12.SKILLED AND TRAINABLE WORKFORCE

Saint Lucia possesses a vibrant, dynamic, English speaking labour force that can be easily trained to meet the employment needs of businesses. This is supported by comprehensive primary, secondary and tertiary education school systems that create a solid foundation for learning and adaptability. Saint Lucia has access to a regional pool of skilled labour through the CARIBBEAN SINGLE MARKET AND ECONOMY (CSME) and ORGANISATION OF EASTERN CARIBBEAN STATES (OECS) Economic Union arrangements. Work permits are not required for various categories of skills moving within the region including for all sub-regional OECS citizens.

13.ATTRACTIVE INCENTIVES

Under the Fiscal Incentives Act, manufacturing enterprises are granted a waiver of import duties on imported plant, machinery, equipment, raw and packaging materials. A corporate income tax waiver for up to 15 years would also be granted to qualified applicants. Additionally, Saint Lucia does not have a capital gains tax, nor taxes on interest from bank deposits or on distribution of dividends.

14.SPECIAL DEVELOPMENT AREAS AND FREE ZONES

The Special Development Areas Act is aimed at promoting the balanced spatial and economic development of the island. The legislation provides incentives to investors/developers for the establishment of certain types of businesses in specially designated areas that are endowed with the necessary infrastructure and amenities for business development. Saint Lucia’s Free zone area is enclosed and, for Customs purposes, is treated as lying outside the Customs territory of the island. Goods of foreign origin may be held pending eventual transhipment, re-exportation and, in some cases, importation into the local market, without payment of Customs duties. Unit types available include: whole warehouse; shared warehouse; open-air warehouse space; zone user office space and shared office space.

15.STRATEGIC LANDS AND INDUSTRIAL ESTATES

Invest Saint Lucia manages seven (7) industrial estates with over 20 factory shells ranging from approximately 5,000 square feet to 30,000 square feet that are available for lease and/or purchase.

Investment Opportunities

1.TOURISM 

Saint Lucia is quickly positioning itself as a high-end, boutique destination with accommodations and amenities that will propel the destination to even greater visitation and visitor spend. To this end, Saint Lucia provides an inviting platform for similarly focused investors to take advantage of the high-end clientele that are increasingly viewing Saint Lucia as the destination of choice for a chic and exclusive experience.

2. MANUFACTURING 

With its central location in the Eastern Caribbean, and as a party to a number of trading arrangements within the Caribbean Region, the US, Canada and Europe, Saint Lucia is an ideal place to service key regional, near shore and international markets. Saint Lucia’s manufacturing sector over the years has been creating opportunities in diverse areas such as agro-processing; textiles; electronic assembly; beverage brewing, bottling and distilling; carbon fibre high speed boats; and green technology innovations.

3.INFRASTRUCTURE 

As an open and stable economy with a successful record of collaboration between the public and the private sector in infrastructure development, Saint Lucia provides the environment for companies to finance, build, own, lease and operate hard and soft infrastructural projects.

AREAS FOR INVESTMENT

• Castries Harbour
• Business and Knowledge Process Outsourcing (BPO and KPO);
• Roads, ports, bridges;
• Renewable energy;
• Hospitality, vocational and technology training institutions;
• Reputable offshore universities;
• Medical research facilities;
• Ancillary health care facilities.

Investment projects: https://www.investstlucia.com/opportunities 

Telephone Contact: (758) 457-3400

Email Us: info@investstlucia.com