Four major bills will be debated in the House of Assembly, when it convenes on Tuesday, April 15, 2014.  Of the four Bills, two will focus on the Tourism Sector while a third will introduce incentives for the Agricultural Sector.

 

The Tourism Stimulus and Investment Bill, along with the Tourism Incentives (Amendment) Bill are aimed at providing greater incentives for investment in the Tourism Industry. 

The Tourism Stimulus and Investment Bill seeks to widen the range of concessions to the Tourism Sector in order to attract new investment.  It is modelled on the legislation which was enacted to facilitate investment prior to the World Cup in Saint Lucia.

The second Bill seeks to amend the Tourism Incentives Act to include villas as a “tourism product” eligible for incentives under that Act.

 

Similarly, increased focus will be paid to investment in the Agriculture sector. For the first time, an Agriculture and Fisheries Incentives Bill will be debated in the House of Assembly.  It is envisaged that these incentives will make the agricultural sector more attractive for investment. This Bill fulfills one of the Manifesto proposals of the Government.

 

A fourth Bill seeks to replace the National Development Corporation with its new name, “Invest Saint Lucia”. The Bill also seeks to give additional powers to Invest Saint Lucia to carry out its mandate as a “one stop shop.”

 

The meeting of the House of Assembly commences at 10:00am on Tuesday, April 15, 2014. 

The session will be aired live on the National Television Network.