Saint Lucia has launched an expansive Business Month celebration throughout November 2025, uniting the nation’s commercial ecosystem under the forward-looking theme ‘Securing Tomorrow, Powered by Sustainability, Built on Resilience.’ The initiative, now marking its tenth anniversary since its establishment by Commerce Minister Emma Hippolyte, features 25 coordinated events designed to highlight the private sector’s critical role in national development.
The official commencement on October 30 saw strong endorsements from business leaders including Brian Louisy, Executive Director of the Saint Lucia Chamber of Commerce, who emphasized that “businesses are the backbone of the economy” while specifically acknowledging the contributions of farmers, fishermen, and entertainers as essential business operators. Minister Hippolyte reaffirmed her ministry’s comprehensive engagement across all economic sectors.
A significant development emerged on November 11 with the expansion of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) Loan-Grant Facility, introducing specialized support for bakers and producer cooperatives. Sophia Alfay-Henry revealed that the program has already exceeded expectations, benefiting over 700 MSMEs despite initially planning for just 500 applications. The facility specifically promotes automation, standardization, and value addition while improving financial access for small enterprises.
Educational institutions joined the celebration through innovative programs like the Agribusiness Pitch Competition hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture in partnership with the Saint Lucia TVET Institute. Held on November 21 in Dennery, the event featured Form 4 and Form 5 students presenting value-added agricultural products addressing market needs, climate resilience, and food security. Sonia Bispack, Head of the TVET Department, observed the profound impact on participants who experienced the satisfaction of creating marketable products.
The youth entrepreneurship movement gained further momentum through the Youth Investment Forum 2025 on November 25, organized by the Youth Economy Agency (YEA). Chairman Thomas Leonce articulated the transformative power of branding, telling young entrepreneurs that “a strong brand is more than a logo or a catchy slogan” but rather “the story of the business.” The agency continues to provide comprehensive support through business registration, financial literacy, product development, and market access initiatives.
The month-long program included numerous collaborative events including the Saint Lucia-Taiwan Partnership Trade Show (November 7-9), Accountants Week (November 8-15), and Global Entrepreneurship Week (November 17-23), demonstrating the government’s holistic approach to economic development through multi-sector partnerships.