Kudos to small businesses in St Lucia, because it’s not easy being you.
We’ve met some really inspirational business people who face barriers that frankly shouldn’t exist. Waiting over two weeks to open a business bank account is ridiculous. Using the excuse of money laundering legislation is ridiculous. Checks on individuals take minutes, not weeks.
Despite the barriers, the energy from small businesses in St Lucia is palpable. The wisest entrepreneurs and small business owners are thinking ahead. They know if they’re not changing constantly, listening and responding to their customers, they’re losing and failing to win them.
The St Lucian government and international businesses operating on the island need to understand the principles of creating a thriving economy, where wealth is redistributed. If you want to know what happens if this isn’t the approach look at Jamaica.
St Lucia still welcomes independent travellers to its shores. Tourists can wander the streets of Rodney Bay, Gros Islet, Soufriere, Dennery and everywhere else – except Castries, which at night, has issues. Normal rules apply for every capital in the world.