Ministry of Economic Development and Youth Economy Saint Lucia

07/08/2026

Building One Team, One Vision! 🤝

Last Friday’s Staff Retreat provided an opportunity to strengthen teamwork, collaboration, trust, and unity across the Ministry. Through engaging indoor and outdoor activities, staff demonstrated creativity, communication, problem-solving, and a strong spirit of teamwork.

The retreat reinforced the importance of working together as one team as we move forward in achieving the Ministry’s new vision and strategic priorities.

One Vision. One Team, One Economic Development 🇱🇨

16/07/2026

Government Strengthens Strategic Planning Skills to Drive Smarter National Development

Castries, Saint Lucia – July 15, 2026 – The Government of Saint Lucia is strengthening its capacity for strategic, evidence-based decision-making through a week-long Strategic Policy Planning Workshop designed to equip public officers with the knowledge and tools to develop, implement and monitor national policies that deliver measurable results.

The training, facilitated by the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) in collaboration with the Department of Economic Development, brings together officers from ministries and government agencies across the public service. The initiative forms part of the Government's ongoing efforts to build a stronger planning culture as Saint Lucia prepares its National Development Plan and Medium-Term Development Strategy.

Deputy Chief Economist in the Department of Economic Development, Kerry Joseph-Matthew, said strategic planning is a responsibility shared by every government agency.

"We appreciate that strategic planning is a function of all agencies, and so we are building the technical capacity across agencies to ensure that we are able to develop our national plan."

Throughout the workshop, participants were examining existing strategic plans, identifying institutional gaps and challenges, and developing practical, data-driven solutions. The programme also sought to strengthen agencies' ability to identify development priorities, align programmes with national objectives and position themselves to attract donor financing.

Joseph-Matthew noted that the training comes at a pivotal time as Saint Lucia charts its long-term development agenda.

"The training will allow us to go back, reflect and identify the components of our plans that need strengthening. This also gives us a good opportunity because Saint Lucia is now moving into developing its National Development Plan and Medium-Term Development Strategy from 2026 to 2040, and this process will help us build that plan."

Strategic planning is increasingly recognized as a cornerstone of effective governance. According to the World Economic Forum, organizations that embed strategic planning into their decision-making are better equipped to anticipate change, manage uncertainty, allocate resources efficiently and build long-term resilience. By relying on evidence rather than assumptions, governments are better positioned to improve service delivery and achieve sustainable development outcomes.

Coordinator of Statistics and Social Development at ECLAC's Caribbean Sub-regional Headquarters, Abdullahi Abdulkadri, emphasized that successful public policy must be grounded in reliable evidence and aligned across all levels of government.

"We need to implement evidence-based processes, where you look at the data, you look at the evidence, and you use that data to plan the policies and programmes which you are executing in the public sector. We also need policy coherence so that what was done five years ago informs what we are doing today, and what we anticipate doing five years from now. National priorities must also be reflected at the departmental level."

Abdulkadri stressed that the long-term value of the workshop will ultimately depend on participants applying their newly acquired skills within their respective organizations and sharing that knowledge with colleagues.

"Whatever we discuss here, if it doesn't get implemented when participants return to their respective offices, then our impact will be limited. A critical aspect of this programme is creating opportunities for participants to practice what they have learned and transfer that knowledge throughout the public service."

ECLAC reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Saint Lucia's efforts to strengthen strategic planning across government, improve policy coordination, enhance programme implementation and ensure that public resources are directed toward initiatives that deliver meaningful and lasting benefits for the people of Saint Lucia.

07/07/2026

Ministry of Economic Development Charts a New Strategic Direction

Castries, Saint Lucia – July 7, 2026 – The newly established Ministry of Economic Development and Youth Economy has launched a comprehensive strategic planning exercise that will guide the Ministry's vision, priorities and organizational development over the next five years.

Held under the theme "One Vision, One Team, One Economic Development," the one-day workshop brought together staff from across the Ministry to develop a shared vision, identify strategic priorities and establish a clear roadmap for advancing Saint Lucia's economic development agenda.

Permanent Secretary Paul Hilaire described the exercise as a defining moment for the Ministry, noting that it was the largest gathering of staff since he joined the department. He said the strong level of participation reflects the organization's readiness to embrace transformation and position itself as a stronger institution capable of driving national development.

"We are transforming from a department to a ministry. That's why it is important for us to come together to define our mandate, our vision and the strategic objectives that will guide the Ministry. We recognize the importance of this Ministry in driving economic growth, building the nation and taking Saint Lucia where we want it to be. But before we can do that, we have to strengthen ourselves," Hilaire stated.

The Permanent Secretary also announced plans to establish a dedicated Communications Unit to improve public awareness of the Ministry's work, enhance transparency and strengthen public engagement.

Minister for Economic Development and Youth Economy, Hon. Wayne Girard, emphasized that the strategic planning exercise extends far beyond the preparation of another policy document. Instead, he described it as an opportunity to build a unified vision and strengthen collaboration across the Ministry.

"As Minister, I have the privilege of helping to articulate a vision for our country's future. But a vision, no matter how compelling, can only become reality through the commitment, professionalism and expertise of the people entrusted with bringing it to life. Leadership is never the work of one individual. It is built on trust, collaboration and a shared commitment to a common purpose. That is why I see this workshop not simply as a planning exercise, but as an opportunity for us to shape our future together," Minister Girard said.

The strategic planning workshop was facilitated by consultant Victor Poyotte, who underscored the importance of adopting an evidence-based and stakeholder-driven approach in developing the Ministry's first strategic plan.

He explained that the process would combine historical data, policy reviews and extensive consultations with internal and external stakeholders to ensure the plan reflects national priorities and delivers measurable results.

"Strategic planning is usually undertaken over a five-year horizon. Once the plan is developed, it is translated into annual operational plans with measurable targets. Through continuous monitoring and evaluation, the Ministry will be able to assess its progress, make adjustments where necessary and ensure that its objectives are achieved," Poyotte explained.

Participants examined the Ministry's legislative mandate, policy framework, organizational structure, stakeholder expectations and development priorities. The workshop also included SWOT and PESTLE analyses to identify institutional strengths, challenges, opportunities and external factors that will influence the Ministry's work over the coming years.

Officials believe the strategic planning process marks the beginning of a new chapter for the Ministry, providing the direction needed to strengthen institutional performance, enhance accountability and improve service delivery. Ultimately, the initiative is expected to position the Ministry to better coordinate national development priorities, foster sustainable economic growth and deliver meaningful economic and social benefits for the people of Saint Lucia.

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26/06/2026

Minister and Staff in the Ministry of Economic Development and the Youth Economy are charged up and ready for the new strategic direction and vision for their ministry

26/06/2026

The Ministry of Economic Development and the Youth Economy hosts a Strategic Planning Workshop to formalize a strategic vision and direction for the new ministry.

19/03/2026