The prime minister will address strategic areas for growth in his first budget presentation.
Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Economic Growth, Job Creation, External Affairs and the Public Service, Hon. Allen Michael Chastanet, will table the 2017 Appropriation Bill and deliver his first budget address today, May 9, at 5 p.m.
At the House of Assembly meeting, the prime minister will present a roadmap for the country and focus on the implementation of programs, projects, and policies to “Build a New Saint Lucia.”
Mr. Chastanet will lay out the government’s specific plans for this year as well as the strategic priority areas for the next four years including creating sustainable employment, social reengineering, tourism, agriculture, security and justice, energy and climate change.
On April 26, the government announced an expanded capital program in support of stimulating economic activity. During the debate on the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure, the prime minister proposed expenditure amounting to $1.513 billion dollars. This evening, he will outline the medium to long term fiscal strategy which includes the announcement of tax reforms. Notably, the government has already announced an increased injection of capital into agriculture, infrastructure and social programs.
The debate on the Appropriation Bill follows on Wednesday, May 10, at 4 p.m., and on Thursday, May 11 and Friday, May 12, 2017 at 9 a.m.
Live coverage of the House can be viewed at www.govt.lc/portal-launch, www.facebook.com/SaintLuciaGovernment, and http://youtube.govt.lc.
Related stories:
Prime Minister tackles national debt
Constituency office allocation increased
Government to increase employment in the south
Gov't proposes new fuel tax
Prime Minister lays out strategic plan
Improvements in agriculture
Saint Lucia to incorporate ICT in education